Central government employees who joined service on or after April 1, 2025, and wish to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) must submit Form A1 by September 30, 2025. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has emphasized the importance of meeting this deadline.

Key Details

• Who: This deadline applies to central government employees who joined on or after April 1, 2025, and are covered under the National Pension System (NPS).
• What: These employees need to submit Form A1 to opt for UPS. This form is essential for those who have not yet submitted forms to generate their Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
• Why: The PFRDA has observed that many new employees posted at various locations may not have submitted the necessary forms for PRAN generation. Submitting Form A1 ensures that these employees can exercise their option to join the UPS.
• When: The deadline for physical submission of Form A1 is September 30, 2025.
• Where: Employees can submit the form to their respective nodal offices, the Head of their Training Institute, or the Head of their current Institute, as applicable. The heads of these institutes will then forward the forms to the cadre controlling authority or the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) where the employees are posted.
• How: The form must be duly filled and physically submitted. A copy of Form A1 is available for download on the PFRDA's website.

Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)

The UPS was notified by the Central Government on January 24, 2025. The PFRDA (Operationalization of the Unified Pension Scheme under NPS) Regulations, 2025, were notified on March 19, 2025, and the Central Civil Services (Implementation of Unified Pension Scheme under National Pension System) Rules, 2025, were notified on September 2, 2025. The UPS is an optional scheme under the National Pension System that assures post-retirement payout.

Additional Information

• Physical Submission Allowed: The government has allowed physical form submissions for UPS due to technical issues with online submissions.
• One-Time Switch: Employees who opt for UPS have a one-time option to switch back to NPS. This option can be exercised up to one year before superannuation or three months before opting for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). Once this choice is made, the employee cannot opt for UPS again.
• Awareness: The Department of Pension is working to create awareness about the UPS.
• Flexibility: The UPS is designed to provide Central Government employees with flexibility in planning their post-retirement financial security.
• Alternative Submission: Employees facing problems online can submit their applications offline.

Action Required

All central government employees who joined on or after April 1, 2025, and intend to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme, should ensure that they fill out and physically submit Form A1 to the appropriate authority before September 30, 2025.