Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS) ?
- (a) Resident Indian citizens only
- (b) Persons of age from 21 to 55 only
- (c) All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on or after 1ˢᵗ April, 2004
Why the answer is (c)
• NPS is mandatory for Central Government employees (except the armed forces) who joined on or after 1 January 2004, and for employees of State Governments that have adopted it, from the date each State notified — option (c).
• Hence option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Resident Indian citizens only
- NRIs and OCIs can also join NPS.
- (b) Persons of age from 21 to 55 only
- The eligible age range is 18–70.
- (d) All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on…
- Armed forces are excluded and the date is 1 January 2004.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.