<h1>Eligible employees and former NPS members must opt into Unified Pension Scheme by September 30, 2025; one-time irrevocable switch allowed</h1> Eligible central government employees and past NPS retirees must opt for the Unified Pension Scheme by September 30, 2025, after which NPS members cannot switch to UPS. A one-time, one-way switch from UPS back to NPS is permitted under specified conditions: the switch is allowed only once and is irrevocable; it must be exercised at least one year before superannuation or three months before voluntary retirement, whichever is earlier; it is not available in cases of removal, dismissal, compulsory retirement as penalty, or where disciplinary proceedings are ongoing or contemplated. Failure to opt leaves the employee in UPS by default.