<h1>Government urges central employees to opt into Unified Pension Scheme by September 30, 2025; one-time switch allowed</h1> The government urged central employees to opt into the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) by September 30, 2025, noting UPS-introduced April 1, 2025 as an option under the National Pension System-offers assured payouts and retains tax treatment parity with NPS. Eligible employees and past NPS retirees may file opt-in requests online or submit physical forms to their nodal office if online access is unavailable; opt-ins are final after the deadline. A one-time, one-way switch from UPS back to NPS is permitted no later than one year before superannuation or three months before deemed voluntary retirement. UPS enrollees receive retirement and death gratuity and remain eligible for CCS pension provisions on death, invalidation or disablement.