The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW) has issued key clarifications related to qualifying service for pension and gratuity under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, according to a new Office Memorandum.
These clarifications, recirculated again, were originally released in October 2022 to guide government employees and ministries on how various periods of service should be counted toward pension eligibility.
The office memorandum specifically addresses several important rules under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. These rules concern the counting of different types of service for pension and gratuity benefits. The memorandum highlights clarifications regarding the following:
Service in state governments:
Service rendered in state government jobs can be counted as qualifying service for pension under Rule 13.
Service in autonomous bodies:
Employees who have worked in an autonomous body (either under the Central or State Government) can also count this service toward their pension and gratuity as per Rule 14.
Time spent on contract can be considered qualifying service for pension and gratuity under Rule 18.
Also read: New guidelines for pension processing: How govt employees with health issues can get their pension forms processed
Re-employed government servants:
If a government employee is re-employed, their previous civil service period can be counted toward pension under Rule 19.
Military service before joining civil employment can be counted under Rule 20.
Leave periods:
Periods of leave taken by employees can be counted as part of their qualifying service under Rule 24.
Time spent on training may also count toward pension and gratuity as per Rule 22.
The treatment of time spent under suspension has been clarified for qualifying service under Rule 23.
The rules on service interruptions and their condonation have been outlined under Rules 27 and 28.
Deputation to international organisations:
Periods spent on deputation to international organizations like the United Nations or the IMF can be considered as qualifying service for pension under Rule 29.
The need for regular verification of qualifying service by the concerned ministries or departments is emphasized in Rule 30.
The government has asked all ministries and departments to ensure these clarifications are brought to the notice of relevant authorities and followed strictly.
Conclusion:
These re-circulated clarifications are aimed at ensuring a uniform understanding and implementation of the qualifying service rules across all government departments.
» Read More
