Will the Old Pension scheme be reintroduced?

In 2003, the BJP-led central government replaced the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) with the New Pension Scheme (NPS), making it applicable to all government employees who joined after that year. Under the new system, pension benefits are based on contributions rather than a guaranteed pension amount.

Over the years, government employees across various states, including Tamil Nadu, have been protesting, demanding the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme. Both AIADMK and DMK governments had previously promised to reintroduce OPS. The DMK even included it in its 2021 assembly election manifesto. However, nearly four years into the DMK’s tenure, employees continue to protest for its implementation.

As a step forward, the Tamil Nadu government has now formed a three-member committee to examine the feasibility of OPS, the existing Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), and the Integrated Pension Scheme. The committee has been given nine months to submit a report evaluating the state's financial position and the feasibility of fulfilling employees' pension demands.

This announcement has raised expectations among government employees that Chief Minister MK Stalin might bring back the Old Pension Scheme. Many employees now hope their long-standing demand will soon be fulfilled. With growing anticipation, government workers are eagerly awaiting a positive decision on their pension system.