⚠️ Update (October 2025): The September 30, 2025 deadline for physical submission of UPS Form A1 has now passed. New government employees who missed this deadline and want to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) should contact their Nodal Office or PAO directly. Check the latest PFRDA circulars for any further extensions or alternative submission procedures. The information in this article explains the Form A1 process and UPS enrollment requirements.
In update for Central Government employees who joined service on or after 01 April 2025, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued Circular No: PFRDA/2025/11/SUP-CG-SG/04 dated 19 September 2025 extending the deadline for physical submission of Form A1 by new government employees intending to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
Summary of the PFRDA Circular
The PFRDA circular addresses a crucial concern for newly recruited government employees who may face challenges in submitting their UPS option forms before the 30 September 2025 deadline. This extension provides an alternative mechanism for those employees who are posted at various locations and may not have yet submitted their form for generation of Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
Complete Official Text of PFRDA Circular No: PFRDA/2025/11/SUP-CG-SG/04
PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Circular
Circular No: PFRDA/2025/11/SUP-CG-SG/04
September 19, 2025
To,
All the stakeholders of NPS and UPS
Subject: Physical submission of Form A1 by New Joinees intending to opt for UPS by 30.09.2025 – reg.
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been notified by the Central Government vide notification F. No. FX-1/3/2024-PR, dated 24.01.2025 issued by Dept. of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. Further, the PFRDA (Operationalization of the Unified Pension Scheme under NPS) Regulations, 2025 were notified on 19.03.2025 and the Central Civil Services (Implementation of Unified Pension Scheme under National Pension System) Rules, 2025 have been notified by DoPPW on 02.09.2025.
- It has been observed that several New Joinees who entered Central Government service on or after 01.04.2025, and are posted at various locations, may not yet have submitted their form for generation of Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
- In view of the impending deadline for exercising the option under the Unified Pension Scheme, i.e., 30th September, 2025, it is hereby brought to the attention of all concerned that:
All employees who joined Central Government service on or after 01.04.2025 and intend to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme may physically submit the duly filled Form A1 to their respective nodal offices/ or the Head of the training Institute/ or the Head of their current Institute, as applicable, on or before the specified due date. Thereafter, the Head of Institutes, shall be required to forward the same to the cadre controlling authority or the DDO, where the employees shall be posted.
- A copy of the Form A1 is annexed to this circular for reference.
(Vikas Kumar Singh)
Chief General Manager
Annexure: Form A1
Reference Link
Official Source: PFRDA Circular on Physical Submission of Form A1
What This PFRDA Circular Means for You: A Plain-English Guide
The PFRDA Circular No: PFRDA/2025/11/SUP-CG-SG/04 dated September 19, 2025 is an important notification for all central government employees who joined service on or after April 1, 2025. In simple terms: if you are a new joinee and want to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) instead of the National Pension System (NPS), this circular gives you an extended and more flexible way to submit your option form — Form A1 — even if you have not yet generated your Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
Who Is Affected by This Circular?
This circular is specifically applicable to the following category of employees:
- Central Government employees who joined service on or after April 1, 2025
- Employees who are posted at remote locations or training institutes and could not submit their PRAN generation form
- New joinees who intend to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) before the September 30, 2025 deadline
- Employees who have not yet received their PRAN and want to preserve their right to choose UPS
This circular does NOT apply to employees who joined before April 1, 2025, or those who have already submitted their Form A1 and generated their PRAN.
Step-by-Step: What Should New Joinees Do Before September 30, 2025?
If you are a new government employee who joined service on or after April 1, 2025 and wish to opt for UPS, here is exactly what you need to do:
Step 1: Download Form A1 from the PFRDA website or obtain a physical copy from your nodal office. A copy is annexed to the official circular referenced above.
Step 2: Fill in the Form A1 completely with your personal details, posting details, and pension option choice (UPS).
Step 3: Submit the duly filled Form A1 physically to any one of the following: (a) Your respective nodal office, (b) The Head of the Training Institute where you are currently posted, or (c) The Head of your current Institute.
Step 4: The Head of Institute is responsible for forwarding your Form A1 to your cadre controlling authority or the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) where you will be permanently posted.
Step 5: Ensure submission is completed before September 30, 2025. Late submissions may not be considered for UPS enrollment.
Note: This physical submission route is specifically provided as an alternative for employees who have not yet generated their PRAN. Once your PRAN is generated, the normal digital process applies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — PFRDA UPS Form A1 Circular
Q1: What is Form A1 and why is it important?
Form A1 is the official option form issued by PFRDA that new central government employees must fill to register under the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). It is the primary document that records your pension scheme choice and initiates your PRAN generation process. Without submitting Form A1, you will automatically continue under the National Pension System (NPS).
Q2: What happens if I miss the September 30, 2025 deadline?
If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to opt for UPS and will remain enrolled under NPS. PFRDA has not announced any further extension beyond September 30, 2025 as of now. It is strongly advised to submit the form before the deadline.
Q3: Can I submit Form A1 online instead of physically?
For employees who have already generated their PRAN, online submission through the nodal office portal is available. However, this circular specifically provides the physical submission option for those who have NOT yet generated their PRAN and are posted at various locations.
Q4: Is UPS better than NPS for central government employees?
UPS provides a guaranteed pension of 50% of average basic pay drawn in the last 12 months before retirement, subject to a minimum of 10 years of qualifying service. NPS is market-linked and returns are not guaranteed. UPS offers more certainty for long-term financial planning. For a detailed comparison, read our guide on UPS vs NPS.
Q5: Who should I contact if my Head of Institute does not forward my Form A1?
You should escalate the matter to your cadre controlling authority or the Ministry/Department’s nodal officer for pension matters. You may also write to PFRDA directly via their subscriber grievance portal at pfrda.org.in.
Q6: What is PRAN and when is it generated?
PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number) is a unique 12-digit number assigned to every NPS/UPS subscriber. It is generated when your nodal office submits your registration form. New joinees who are still at training institutes may not have their PRAN yet, which is exactly why this circular provides the physical Form A1 submission alternative.