The Central Board of Trustees, EPF, in its 236th meeting held on November 30, 2024, approved the adoption of key pension and gratuity rules. These include the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021; CCS (Implementation of NPS) Rules, 2021; CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Rules, 2021; and CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023. The rules now apply to officers and employees of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) with certain modifications to enhance administrative efficiency.

Key modifications include:

1. No Consultation with UPSC for Final Orders: In cases concerning pensioners of the Central Board, consultation with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as required under Rule 8(1) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, is waived before passing final orders.
2. Gratuity Cases Exempt from UPSC Consultation: Similarly, for retired employees of the Central Board, the requirement for UPSC consultation under Rule 5(1) of the CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Rules, 2021, is waived.

Additionally, the powers vested in the President of India under these rules shall now be exercised by the Chairman, Central Board. The powers given to the Secretaries to the Government of India will be exercised by the Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Central Board, for officers and employees of the Central Board.

This decision aligns EPFO’s policies with central government norms while allowing flexibility in procedural requirements, thereby ensuring efficient pension and gratuity disbursement.