Government employees who have been waiting for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for several days now have some important and heartening news. Following a major decision by the central  government , the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has now given its eligible employees the option to switch from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

This decision primarily applies to employees who joined on compassionate grounds. Employees who applied for jobs before January 1, 2004, but were appointed after that date will benefit. CSIR's move now paves the way for employees of other central autonomous bodies to receive the old pension.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has now approved the Central Government's decision regarding the old pension scheme. This provides significant relief to employees working under compassionate appointments. Compassionate appointments are positions granted to provide financial assistance to dependent family members of a government employee in the event of their death or permanent disability during service.

However, this decision regarding the old pension scheme applies to those who applied for compassionate appointment before January 1, 2004, but entered service after January 1, 2004. They were included in the National Pension System (NPS) due to its implementation. Now, they will be able to choose between the two options.

Now, the central government has decided to give such eligible employees the option to choose the old pension scheme. CSIR issued a GR dated July 7, 2026, directing the implementation of this decision. This decision was made in accordance with a letter dated June 22, 2026, from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Previously, in March 2023, the central government offered the opportunity to choose OPS for employees whose recruitment process began before January 1, 2004, but who were appointed later. At that time, this facility was not available to employees with compassionate appointments. Now, this service has been made available.

PC; Rochak Khabre