The Finance Ministry has ruled out any move to revert from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) due to its 'unsustainable fiscal liability' on the exchequer. As per Zee News, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated in the Lok Sabha that the government had moved away from OPS due to its unsustainable fiscal liability on the Government exchequer. The total Asset under Management under NPS for Central Government employees as of July 26, 2026 is ₹3.65 lakh crores, according to Chaudhary's parliamentary response. The restoration of OPS in the States falls exclusively under State policy discretion, while the Centre will stick to the NPS.
Central government teachers have placed comprehensive demands before the 8th Pay Commission, seeking significant changes in pension, retirement age, leave entitlements, promotions and healthcare benefits. According to reports from Mint and ET Wealth Online, the demands were raised by a central government school teachers' body under the All India NPS Employees' Federation (AINPSEF) during a meeting with the 8th Pay Commission in New Delhi on August 7. The delegation included representatives from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, Delhi government schools, Delhi MCD and NDMC schools, as well as schools in Union Territories including Chandigarh and Andaman & Nicobar islands.
The teachers' body has sought restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for central government teachers, as reported by Mint and ET Wealth Online. Teachers currently covered by the National Pension System (NPS) have also been offered the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), but the employee body wants the earlier pension framework restored. Additionally, the body has proposed increasing the retirement age of central government school teachers from 60 to 65 years. AINPSEF National President Manjeet Singh Patel emphasized that all central government teachers should receive equal pay and allowances, stating that "Ek Bharat, Shreshtra Bharat will be a reality only when there will be uniformity among facilities provided to central government teachers. Salaries and other facilities should be equal for all teachers, be they in Delhi, Bihar or Andaman & Nicobar Islands."
For leave benefits, the teachers' body has sought 14 casual leaves, 30 earned leaves and 20 medical leaves every year, according to Mint reports. The body has also demanded Child Care Leave for male teachers where they are the sole employed parent, along with cashless medical facilities during service. For Delhi government teachers, the body has sought the option of choosing between the Delhi Government Employees' Health Scheme (DGEHS) and the Central Government Health Scheme (CGEHS) after retirement, with one of the options provided to enable Delhi government teachers to return to their hometown upon retirement and avail health services there.
The teachers' body has proposed that 50% of vacancies for principals should be filled through departmental promotion, alongside a 25% examination quota, as reported by Mint and ET Wealth Online. It has also sought creation of a new promotional post of Head of Subject, with a proposed grade pay of ₹5,400. Another demand is an increase in the grade pay of vice principals to ₹6,600. For Delhi government teachers, the body has sought a 100% promotional quota for the post of vice principal. The teachers' body also demands that all central government teachers should get cashless medical service during service.
These demands come as the 8th Pay Commission continues consultations with employee associations and federations, according to Mint and ET Wealth Online reports. The commission's terms of reference require it to consider economic conditions, fiscal prudence, the cost of non-contributory pension schemes and the impact of its recommendations on state government finances. The commission will hold discussions in several cities after the Delhi meetings conclude on August 10, traveling to Chennai, Puducherry, Chandigarh and Jaipur for further consultations. Manjeet Singh Patel emphasized that the purpose was to raise demands for equal pay, allowance and service conditions for all central government teachers, stating that "Salaries and other facilities should be equal for all teachers, be they in Delhi, Bihar or Andaman & Nicobar Islands."
