Teachers in this state get an opportunity to opt for the OPS, with the option to exit the NPS.

A total of 275 teachers in Jammu and Kashmir can now apply to switch from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), provided they meet the specified conditions. According to reports, the deadline for this application is December 28, 2026.

Significant news has emerged from Jammu and Kashmir regarding post-retirement pensions for government employees. Approximately 275 teachers have been granted permission to apply for coverage under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) instead of the National Pension System (NPS). However, this does not guarantee that all these teachers will receive the benefits of the old pension; the eligibility of each employee will be assessed based on the criteria stipulated in the government order.

On October 6, 2026, the Srinagar bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), while hearing a petition filed by the teachers, permitted them to apply for the OPS in accordance with government regulations. The Tribunal clarified that being permitted to apply does not equate to an automatic entitlement to pension benefits. The final decision will be made by the relevant department, based on the individual's eligibility and the terms set out in the government order.

Which employees might benefit?

This matter concerns teachers who began their teaching service before January 1, 2010, but whose government service was granted permanent status only after that date. The NPS was implemented for state government employees in Jammu and Kashmir on January 1, 2010; consequently, these teachers were placed under the new pension system rather than the old one.

The teachers argued that since their employment commenced prior to the implementation of the NPS, the date of their regularization should not be the sole criterion for determining their pension scheme.

What happens if one opts for the OPS?

If an employee’s eligibility is approved and they are transitioned to the Old Pension Scheme, their NPS account will be closed, and they will be required to contribute to the General Provident Fund (GPF). Therefore, it is essential for the concerned employee to understand the rules and their financial implications before exercising an option.

This order does not restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for all government employees. Its benefits are available only to eligible employees in Jammu and Kashmir who meet the specified conditions.

What are the conditions stipulated in the government order?

On September 28, 2026, the Finance Department of Jammu and Kashmir issued Government Order No. 305-F. This provides a one-time option for eligible employees—whose posts or vacancies were advertised or notified before December 24, 2009, but who entered service on or after January 1, 2010—to switch from the New Pension Scheme (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Eligible employees must exercise their option by December 28, 2026. Applications may be submitted through the respective Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO). Subsequently, the matter will be forwarded to departmental authorities for examination and a final decision.