Unified Pension Scheme: 1,18,195 employees opted as of July 2026

The question asked the Ministry of Finance for details on the operational status, employee opt-in numbers, and review of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), as well as whether the government plans to modify or replace it based on stakeholder feedback.

Asked and answered by: Asked by Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal; Answered by the Ministry of Finance (Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman).

What the government said

• UPS was notified on 24.01.2025 and became effective from 01.04.2025.
• The last date to opt for UPS was 30.11.2025.
• As of 19.07.2026, 1,18,195 employees (including new joinees, existing employees, and past retirees) had opted for UPS.
• The government extended the cut-off date for opting for UPS to 30.11.2025 based on representations.
• Benefits extended to UPS include Retirement gratuity, Death gratuity, and eligibility for CCS (Pension) Rules or CSS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules in cases of death or disablement.
• Tax benefits available to NPS were extended to UPS.
• A one-time, one-way switch facility to revert to NPS was allowed for those who opted for UPS.
• There is no current proposal to make changes to or replace the UPS.

Also in the document

• The government stated that it has not reviewed the implementation and performance of the UPS as of the date of the answer.
• The answer explicitly states there is no proposal under consideration to replace the UPS.