State Recognizes Pre-IPS Service Tenure for Retrospective Pension Eligibility
In a significant policy decision, the Gujarat government has approved the inclusion of 11 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers—from the 2011 to 2015 batches—under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This move marks a major departure from the post-2004 norm, where most recruits were placed under the New Pension Scheme (NPS).
Retrospective Service Recognized for OPS Eligibility
According to a notification issued by the Gujarat Finance Department, the officers were initially recruited through the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) around 2005 and later inducted into the IPS between 2011 and 2015. Their early service years have now been retrospectively acknowledged, making them eligible for the OPS framework.
“This decision was taken after a thorough evaluation of recruitment and appointment records from the relevant period,” stated the department in its circular.
Service Books to Reflect Updated Pension Status
The Pay and Accounts Office in Gandhinagar has been directed to update the service books of the identified officers to reflect their OPS status. This update will ensure that retirement benefits are processed as per the provisions of the Old Pension Scheme.
Part of a Larger Trend Among States
The move aligns with a growing trend among several state governments to reconsider the NPS amid continued demand from officers and employees seeking the security and guaranteed returns associated with OPS. Gujarat’s decision is seen as a positive precedent for other civil servants with similar career trajectories.
List of Beneficiary Officers
The following IPS officers will now fall under the Old Pension Scheme:
R P Barot (IPS – Gujarat 2011), Additional Police Commissioner, Zone-5, Surat City
R T Susha (IPS – Gujarat 2011), Deputy Inspector General, Marine Task Force, Hazira, Surat
Sudha Pandey (IPS – Gujarat 2011), Deputy Inspector General, Armed Police Group-13, Rajkot
Sujata Majumdar (IPS – Gujarat 2011), Joint Director, Police Academy, Karai
S V Parmar (IPS – Gujarat 2012), Deputy Commissioner, Zone-1, Rajkot City
S J Chavda (IPS – Gujarat 2013), Superintendent of Police, Bharuch
Usha Rada (IPS – Gujarat 2013), Jail Superintendent, Vadodara
S R Odedra (IPS – Gujarat 2014), Superintendent of Police, Junagadh
N R Patel (IPS – Gujarat 2015), Commandant, Metro Security-1, Ahmedabad
J A Patel (IPS – Gujarat), Superintendent of Police, SCRB, Gandhinagar
Positive Reception from Police Welfare Associations
The decision has been welcomed by police associations and welfare bodies, which have long advocated for pension parity. It is expected to open the door for similar reconsiderations for other officers and government employees whose initial years of service predate the implementation of the NPS.
