Clarification_Gratuity letter 13.05.2026.pdf
6-5/PA/NPS Ruling/2024-25/593-594
Government of India
Ministry of Communications Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi-110001.
To
The Director (P&PW)
Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Government of India
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003.
Date:12.05.2026
Subject: Clarification on the applicability of CCS (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension Scheme) Amendment Rules, 2025, notified on 23.04.2025, in respect of officials retired prior to the date of notification- Reg.
This is regarding the applicability of the provisions of Rule 22(1A) inserted vide CCS (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Amendment Rules, 2025, notified on 24.04.2026.
2. In this regard, a case has been received in this Department concerning the grant of retirement gratuity to an NPS subscriber, namely Sh. Darshan Lal, Ex- MTS, Una H.O., who retired on 31.07.2024 on attaining the age of superannuation after rendering 4 years and 11 months of qualifying service At the time of retirement, his claim for Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) was disallowed in accordance with the provisions of CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Rules, 2021, which prescribed a minimum qualifying service of 5 years for eligibility.
3.
Subsequently, the CCS (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Amendment Rules, 2025, notified vide Gazette Notification dated 24.04.2025, inserted sub-rule (1A) in Rule 22, which provides as under: "In the case of a Government servant who has rendered a qualifying service of four years and nine months or more but less than five years, his qualifying service for the purpose of this rule shall be deemed to be five years, and he shall be eligible for retirement gratuity in accordance with sub-rule (1)."
4.
Further, the applicant has also cited DoP&PW letter No. 28/91/2022-P&PW (B)/8331 dated 11.10.2022 issued under CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, wherein a similar provision exists for reckoning qualifying service of four years and nine months as five years for the purpose of retirement gratuity, and has requested reconsideration of his case accordingly.
5.
Therefore, in the instant case, since the official retired (31.07.2024) prior to the date (24.04.2025) of notification of the Amendment Rules, 2025, a general clarification is required as to whether the benefit of the said amendment is
applicable retrospectively to cover cases falling between 23.09.2021 (date of notification of original Rules) and 24.04.2025, or whether the same is applicable only prospectively from the date of its notification.
6.
Thus, in view of the above, it is kindly requested that clarification may kindly be furnished as to whether the provisions of Rule 22(1A) of CCS (Payment of Gratuity under National Pension System) Amendment Rules, 2025 are applicable to Government servants who retired prior to 24.04.2025 and, if not, the appropriate course of action in such cases where representations have been received from similarly placed officials. The clarification may kindly be furnished at an early date to enable this Department to take a considered view in the matter and ensure uniformity in implementation across Circles.
This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(Anurag Srivastava) Director (Accounts)
Copy to:
1. The Director of Accounts (Postal), Himachal Pradesh Circle, Sundernagar.