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Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority urges new Central government joinees to submit Form A1 for Unified Pension Scheme by September 30, 2025.
Deadline for UPS is September 30, 2025.
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has urged new Central government joinees who intend to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) must submit their ‘Form A1’ before the deadline i.e., September 30, 2025.
“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 A1 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,” PFRDA said in the notification.
The copy of Form A1 can be downloaded from the PFRDA’s website for reference.
PFRDA said 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).
What Is UPS?
The Indian government has introduced an option for the central government employees to choose the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) under the National Pension System (NPS). UPS allows them to receive an assured payout after their retirement. The UPS has become operational from April 01, 2025.
Basically, UPS is a fund-based payout system which relies on the regular and timely accumulation and investment of applicable contributions (from both the employee and the employer (the Central Government) for grant of monthly payout to the retiree.
While NPS is market-linked with returns depending on equity and debt performance, UPS offers assured pension payout based on last drawn salary.
NPS is subject to market fluctuations, while UPS has low-risk, as pension is guaranteed.
NPS’s amount will depend on corpus accumulated through investments. UPS, on the other hand, minimum assured pension of Rs 10,000 per month after 10 years of service.
UPS Deadline 2025 Extended
The Government of India has extended the deadline to opt into the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) under NPS to 30th September 2025. It was earlier scheduled to end on July 31, 2025.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Shift from NPS to UPS (Online Method)
Who Can Apply?
- Central Government employees in service as of April 1, 2025
- Must be currently enrolled under NPS
- Must want to shift to the new UPS scheme offering assured pension payouts
Step 1: Visit the eNPS Portal
Go to: https://enps.nsdl.com/eNPS/NationalPensionSystem.html
Click on “NPS to UPS Migration” under the Unified Pension Scheme section
Step 2: Enter Your Details
Enter your PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number)
Enter your Date of Birth
Solve the Captcha
Click on “Verify PRAN”
Step 3: OTP Verification
You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number or email ID
Enter the OTP to proceed
Step 4: Read and Accept the Declaration
A declaration window will appear
Read carefully and tick the box to accept
Click on “Proceed to e-Sign”
Note: Once submitted, this choice is final and cannot be changed
Step 5: e-Sign Using Aadhaar
Enter your VID (Virtual ID) or Aadhaar number
Click “Send OTP”
You’ll receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
Enter the OTP and click “Verify OTP”
Step 6: Confirmation
If successful, your shifting request will be submitted
An Acknowledgement Number will be generated
You can download the e-Signed migration form for your records
Optional: Offline Method
You can also apply offline by: Downloading Form A2 from: https://www.npscra.nsdl.co.in/ups.php
Submitting it to your nodal office, who will process it on the CRA portal
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
September 25, 2025, 15:18 IST
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