The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has allowed All India Services (AIS) officers recruited against vacancies advertised before December 22, 2003, to switch from the National Pension System (NPS) to the old pension scheme under AIS (Death Cum Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1958.
This one-time option was granted due to requests from AIS officers who joined service on or after January 1, 2004, and were covered under NPS, which offers market-linked returns for pensions. Eligible officers can now opt for the old pension scheme, which provides a fixed monthly pension equivalent to 50% of their last drawn pay at the time of retirement/superannuation.