**Indian Railways Conducts Nationwide Seminars on One-Time Switch Facility from NPS to UPS**
Indian Railways has proactively organized 1,799 seminars across the country to guide employees on the one-time switch facility from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). This extensive campaign aims to provide clarity and assist employees in making informed decisions regarding their post-retirement financial planning.
Among various zones, the Southern Railway led the efforts with 768 seminars. Other significant contributions came from:
– South Eastern Railway: 135 seminars
– South Western Railway: 99 seminars
– South East Central Railway: 91 seminars
– North Western Railway: 90 seminars
– Northern Railway: 88 seminars
– North Central Railway: 80 seminars
Additional support was provided by:
– Northeast Frontier Railway: 70 seminars
– South Central Railway: 69 seminars
– West Central Railway: 72 seminars
– Central Railway: 40 seminars
– Eastern Railway: 40 seminars
– Western Railway: 41 seminars
Smaller but impactful numbers were recorded from:
– East Coast Railway: 27 seminars
– East Central Railway: 9 seminars
– North Eastern Railway: 16 seminars
**Contribution from Production Units and Training Institutes**
Production Units and Training Institutes have also actively participated in the awareness campaign, including:
– Research Designs and Standards Organisation: 5 seminars
– Rail Coach Factory: 6 seminars
– Modern Coach Factory: 6 seminars
– Integral Coach Factory: 17 seminars
– Rail Wheel Factory: 20 seminars
– Banaras Locomotive Works: 5 seminars
– Chittaranjan Locomotive Works: 4 seminars
Specialized training institutes such as the Indian Railways Institute of Electrical Engineering have also conducted seminars to spread awareness among staff.
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**About the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) and One-Time Switch Facility**
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for eligible Central Government employees was notified by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, vide Notification No. F. No. FX-1/3/2024-PR dated 24.01.2025.
Further, the Department of Financial Services issued Office Memorandum No. 1/3/2024-PR dated 25.08.2025, introducing a one-time, one-way switch facility. This facility allows Central Government employees who have opted for UPS to revert back to NPS under specified conditions.
Key provisions of the switch facility include:
1. **One-Time Switch Only:** Eligible employees under UPS can switch to NPS only once and cannot revert back to UPS thereafter.
2. **Timing of Switch:** The switch must be made at least one year before superannuation or three months before voluntary retirement, whichever is earlier.
3. **Exclusions:** The switch facility is not allowed in cases of removal, dismissal, compulsory retirement as a penalty, or where disciplinary proceedings are ongoing or contemplated.
4. **Default Continuation:** Employees who do not opt for the switch within the stipulated time will continue under UPS by default.
5. **Final Deadline:** Employees who choose to remain in NPS cannot opt for UPS after 30th September 2025.
This initiative empowers Central Government employees with an informed choice to plan their retirement finances effectively. By opting for UPS initially, employees retain the flexibility to switch to NPS later if they wish.
**Important:** The last date for eligible employees and past retirees under NPS to opt for UPS is 30th September 2025.
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Indian Railways continues to support its workforce through such informative programs, ensuring clarity and confidence in pension-related decisions.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/indian-railways-conducted-1799-seminars-to-guide-employees-on-one-time-switch-from-nps-to-ups