Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet has approved for the implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for its employees in Assam, aligning with the Centre’s decision to merge various pension schemes into a single Unified Pension Scheme.
The UPS which was introduced by the Central Government on August 24, 2024, came into effect from April 1, 2025. The UPS draws features from both the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS), providing assured pensions, minimum pensions and family pensions to provide security to retired employees.
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Announcing the decision on Monday, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “It’s well known that the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS) has been a key centre for discussion among the state government employees in recent times. The Centre has now combined the OPS and the NPS under one single umbrella- the Unified Pension Scheme. Four states have already approved and adopted it, Assam being the latest one to join them, taking the tally to five states. This pension scheme (UPS) will help put an end to speculations regarding OPS and NPS”.
For new recruits who wish to remain under NPS, they will continue to enjoy higher benefits in that system. However both the options will be open for the employees and they can choose accordingly, much like under the OPS, employees will get a guaranteed pension under the UPS. The government of Assam has given its employees a years’ time to decide on which scheme they wish to opt for.
“Within a year, the state employees can choose the scheme that suits them best. This will finally end the long standing debate between the old and new pension scheme”, added the Chief Minister.
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Some key features of the UPS include – 50% of the average basic pay over the last 12 months before retirement for employees with at least 25 years of experience. Monthly assistance of Rs 10,000 for employees retiring after 10 years of service and 60 % of the last pension drawn by the retiree to be given to their spouse or next of kin upon the retiree’s demise.
