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).

• Option (d) is wrong on two counts: the date is 1 January 2004, not 1 April, and armed forces personnel are excluded.

• Option (a) is wrong: NRIs and OCIs can also join; option (b) is wrong: the age band is 18–70.

• 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.