Andhra Pradesh ranks second in Access Equality Index, but 13th in per capita income

On Monday, the Andhra Pradesh government released comprehensive operational guidelines for the one-time option for its employees to shift to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This option is available to employees whose recruitment notification or advertisement was issued before September 1, 2004, and they were appointed on or after September 1, 2004. These employees are currently under the Centralised Pension Scheme (CPS).

Eligible employees, serving or retired, as well as those with family pension, must submit their preferences by December 31, 2026, according to the guidelines issued by the Principal Secretary (Finance) Peeyush Kumar in G.O.Ms.No.158. The government introduced the CPS on September 1, 2004, aligning it with the Government of India's National Pension System (NPS), which was implemented for Central government employees from January 1, 2004.

The Central government's Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare had earlier issued an Office Memorandum extending a one-time option to employees who began their recruitment process before the introduction of NPS but were appointed afterward. The Andhra Pradesh government decided to follow this policy and extended the option to eligible employees. The guidelines for implementation were later released on November 9.

The authorities responsible for processing proposals, as well as the Heads of Offices, have been instructed to proceed expeditiously and maintain records meticulously to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely settlement of pensionary benefits. The Secretariat Departments, Heads of Departments, the Director of Treasuries & Accounts have been directed to adhere strictly to these instructions.