UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I

Question 29: Economy and Social Development

Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS) ?

aResident Indian citizens only

bPersons of age from 21 to 55 only

cAll State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments

dAll Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on or after 1st April, 2004

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

The NPS was made compulsory for government employees who joined service after the date each government notified it, and most State Governments adopted it for new recruits from their own notification dates. So all such State employees can join. Option (a) is wrong because non-resident Indians can also join, (b) is wrong because the age band is wider than 21 to 55, and (d) is wrong because the Central Government date was 1 January 2004 and the Armed Forces were left out. Remember: the cut-off date differs state by state.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong: non-resident Indians can also join the NPS.
(b) Wrong: the permitted age range is wider than 21 to 55.
(c) Right: State employees joining after their State's notification are covered.
(d) Wrong: the Central date was 1 January 2004, and the Armed Forces were excluded.

Worth knowing: NPS rules have changed since: the entry age limit was raised, and a Unified Pension Scheme was added as an option for central employees from 2025.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.