Why in news?
The Central Civil Services (CCS) rules 2025 include major updates related to the implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) under the National Pension System (NPS).
 
Key points of the CCS Rules 2025

• CCS (Pension) Amendment Rules, 2025: Introduce conditions for pension payments upon absorption into PSUs, and consequences for dismissal/removal after such absorption, with rules on forfeiture of retirement benefits under government service.
• CCS (Implementation of UPS under NPS) Rules, 2025: Provide enrollment, contributions, switching options between UPS and NPS before retirement, compensation for delayed crediting, and beneficiaries' options for pension benefits in case of death or disability.
• CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Amendment Rules, 2025: Redefine gratuity scope, clarify service count and eligibility for gratuity, usher in stricter timelines and accountability for delayed payments, and address re-employment impacts.

Key features of the CCS Rules 2025 concerning UPS are:

• Eligible employees can switch from UPS to NPS only once, with no option to revert back to UPS.
• The switch option can be exercised at least one year before superannuation or three months before voluntary retirement.
• The switch option is not allowed in cases of removal, dismissal, or disciplinary proceedings.
• Employees who do not opt for switching continue under UPS.
• The rules provide for assured payouts with options for voluntary retirement after 20 years of service, prorated payouts, and family pension benefits in case of subscriber's death.
• The government contribution differential is credited to the individual's NPS corpus during exit from service.

Besides pension-related rules, the CCS rules also cover classification, control, appeal procedures, and leave rules for central civil servants, including the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, and the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, which have been updated until recently.

Download Pdf