The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), under the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Expenditure, has issued revised guidelines for transferring eligible National Pension System (NPS) pension cases to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) when a government employee dies or becomes disabled.
In an Office Memorandum dated October 19, 2026, the CPAO outlined the updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling these cases. The revision has been approved by the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) to address implementation difficulties and improve the processing of eligible legacy NPS-AR pension cases.
The memorandum was issued under reference number No. CPAO/IT&Tech/NPS to OPS/22 Vol-V/2026-27/12612/124.
Why Has the Government Revised the Pension SOP?
The earlier procedure for migrating eligible NPS pension cases to OPS in cases involving the death or disability of government employees was introduced through a CGA Office Order dated September 17, 2025.
During implementation, authorities encountered certain procedural challenges. To address these issues, the CGA approved a revised SOP intended to clarify the process and define the responsibilities of the officials and departments involved.
The updated guidelines aim to make pension case processing more straightforward and reduce difficulties faced by the authorities handling these matters.
What Changes Under the Revised NPS-to-OPS Procedure?
The revised SOP specifically covers eligible legacy NPS-AR pension cases involving the death or disability of government servants. It explains the procedures that the concerned authorities must follow and outlines the responsibilities of the stakeholders involved in processing these cases.
According to the memorandum, the revised SOP has been enclosed for necessary action and strict compliance. It will replace the earlier procedure issued by the CGA on September 17, 2025.
Importantly, the order does not announce a general transfer of all NPS subscribers to the Old Pension Scheme. Its scope is limited to the eligible pension cases covered by the revised guidelines.
Which Authorities Must Follow the New Guidelines?
The CPAO has directed the relevant authorities to take the necessary steps to implement the revised procedure. They must also ensure that officers and employees working under their administrative control are informed about the updated instructions.
The memorandum has been circulated to the concerned accounting authorities, including Principal Chief Controllers of Accounts, Chief Controllers of Accounts, Controllers of Accounts and Accountants General. It has also been sent to the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, the Assistant Controller General of Accounts, and the heads of Central Pension Processing Centres and General Banking Divisions of authorised banks.
Other relevant offices and sections, including those dealing with NPS matters, have also received copies for information and necessary action.
What Should Pensioners and Family Claimants Know?
Government employees, family pension claimants and other individuals involved in eligible NPS-AR cases relating to death or disability should take note of the revised procedure.
Those seeking information about eligibility, required documents, processing timelines or applicable pension benefits should consult the complete SOP attached to the official memorandum or contact the relevant pension-processing authority.
The October 19, 2026, memorandum revises the procedure for handling specific pension cases. Individual eligibility and the applicable requirements should be confirmed from the detailed official guidelines rather than assumed from the announcement alone.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be treated as legal, financial or pension-related advice. Eligibility, documentation requirements and applicable benefits depend on the official rules and the individual’s circumstances. Readers should consult the complete CPAO memorandum and revised SOP or contact the appropriate pension authority for authoritative guidance.