The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued a circular to address the deadline for new central government employees to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). The circular, dated September 19, 2025, notes that the UPS was established by the Central Government and subsequent regulations by PFRDA. The deadline for new joinees to exercise this option is September 30, 2025. PFRDA observed that several employees who joined government service on or after April 1, 2025, may not have yet submitted the necessary form to generate their Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN). To ensure these employees can still opt in, the PFRDA has advised all concerned parties that new employees who wish to join the UPS may physically submit a completed Form A1 to their respective nodal offices, or the head of their training or current institute, by the September 30 deadline. These officials are then responsible for forwarding the forms to the appropriate cadre controlling authority. This action is aimed at accommodating new employees and ensuring they do not miss the opportunity to join the scheme.
Ministry of Finance
PFRDA permits physical submission of UPS requests to Nodal Offices till 30.09.2025
Posted On: 18 SEP 2025 6:45PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Finance, Government of India, had notified the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for eligible Central Government employees vide Notification No. F. No. FX-1/3/2024-PR dated 24.01.2025.
As the deadline for exercising the option to switch to the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) is approaching — 30.09.2025 — it is hereby informed that, in case a subscriber is unable to submit the UPS request online through the CRA system due to any reason, including non-availability of the online platform or technical issues, they may submit a duly filled physical application form to their concerned Nodal Office on or before the due date. Such requests will be processed by the Nodal Office as per the prescribed procedure.
Note: The last date for eligible employees and past retirees under NPS to opt for UPS is 30.09.2025.
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PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Circular No: PFRDA/2025/11/SUP-CG-SG/40 Dated: September 19, 2025
To,
All the stakeholders of NPS and UPS
Subject: Physical submission of ‘Form Al’ by New Joinees intending to opt for UPS by 30.09.2025 – reg.
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been notified by the Central Government vide notification F. No. FX-1/ 3/ 2024-PR, dated 24.01.2025 issued by Dept. of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. Further, the PFRDA (Operationalization of the Unified Pension Scheme under NPS) Regulations, 2025 were notified on 19.03.2025 and the Central Civil Services (Implementation of Unified Pension Scheme under National Pension System) Rules, 2025 have been notified by DoPPW on 02.09.2025.
2. It has been observed that several New Joinees who entered Central Government service on or after 01.04.2025, and are posted at various locations, may not yet have submitted their form for generation of Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
3. In view of the impending deadline for exercising the option under the Unified Pension Scheme, i.e., 30th September, 2025, it is hereby brought to the attention of all concerned that:
All employees who joined Central Government service on or after 01.04.2025 and intend to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme may physically submit the duly filled Form Al to their respective nodal offices/ or the Head of the training Institute/ or the Head of their current Institute, as applicable, on or before the specified due date. Thereafter, the Head of Institutes, shall be required to forward the same to the cadre controlling authority or the DDO, where the employees shall be posted.
4. A copy of the Form Al is annexed to this circular for reference.
(Vikas Kumartingh)
Chief General Manager
