J&K Old Pension Scheme Option 2026: Switch from NPS to OPS

The Jammu and Kashmir government has introduced a one-time option for eligible National Pension System (NPS) employees to switch to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This policy applies specifically to government employees who were appointed against posts advertised prior to 24 December 2009, but officially joined service on or after 1 January 2010. Affected individuals must submit their offline option forms on or before the final deadline of 28 December 2026.

The Finance Department formally issued Government Order No. 305-F of 2026 on 28 September 2026, following approval by the Council of Ministers vide Decision No. 129/11/2026 dated 10 September 2026. Once an employee exercises this option, it is considered final and cannot be altered or withdrawn. Those who fail to apply within the stipulated timeline will automatically remain under the NPS framework.

Key Details of J&K OPS Option 2026

Feature	Detail
Organization	Finance Department, Jammu and Kashmir
Scheme Name	J&K Old Pension Scheme (OPS) One-Time Option
Order Number	Government Order No. 305-F of 2026
Eligible Employees	NPS employees appointed against posts advertised before 24 Dec 2009
Application Mode	Offline via Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO)
Last Date to Apply	28 December 2026
Official Website	finance.jk.gov.in

Important Dates

Event	Date
Order Notification Date	28 September 2026
Application Deadline	28 December 2026

Eligibility Criteria for Switching to OPS

To successfully transition from the National Pension System to the Old Pension Scheme, employees must satisfy all of the following mandatory conditions:

• The specific post or vacancy must have been advertised or notified for recruitment before 24 December 2009.
• The employee must have joined government service on or after 1 January 2010.
• The applicant must currently be covered under the National Pension System (NPS).

Application Fee

There is no application fee required to submit the OPS switch option form.

Selection and Processing Mechanism

The evaluation of applications is handled through a structured administrative hierarchy rather than a competitive examination. The verification process follows a step-by-step workflow across different offices.

How to Apply and Switch from NPS to OPS

There is no online portal or digital submission method available for this process. Eligible candidates must complete a physical submission through their respective departmental offices by following these steps:

1. Obtain the Form: Secure the prescribed option form under Government Order No. 305-F of 2026 from your Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) or download the PDF from official sources.
2. Fill Details: Accurately provide your name, parentage, date of birth, CPIS ID, PRAN number, date of joining, department, present post, promotion details, and original advertisement or notification particulars.
3. Attach Documents: Enclose photocopies of the recruitment advertisement, selection list, appointment order, PRAN card, and an attested copy of your service book.
4. Submit to DDO: Hand over the completed physical form along with attachments to your DDO on or before 28 December 2026 and secure a formal receiving copy.
5. Departmental Forwarding: Your DDO will route the case through the Head of Department or Appointing Authority to the Administrative Department.
6. Final Order: The Administrative Department verifies the conditions and issues the formal transition order within one month.

Handling of NPS Funds

Upon the issuance of the OPS order, the employee's NPS account will close starting from the first day of the subsequent month. Future contributions will be directed toward the General Provident Fund (GPF) under the GPF Rules, 1960. The employee's accumulated NPS contributions will be transferred to their GPF account with recalculated interest, while government contributions and associated investment returns will revert to government accounts.