The Government of Maharashtra has announced that its revised National Pension Scheme (NPS) is optional for employees already covered under the existing NPS. Announced via a circular on May 6, 2026, employees have until December 31, 2026, to opt into the revised scheme. This new scheme aligns with the Centre's unified pension scheme (UPS), which is a default for new central government recruits starting from April 1, 2025. Key benefits of the revised NPS include a pension equal to 50% of the last-drawn salary for retirees with 20 years or more of service. Those with 10 to 20 years of service will receive a proportionate pension, while the minimum pension is set at ₹7,500 per month for those retiring after 10 years. However, employees who resign will not be eligible for the pension under the revised scheme but will receive benefits under the existing NPS. The circular also states that any withdrawals from the NPS corpus must be returned with 10% interest to avoid a reduction in pension benefits. Further details on the pension disbursement process are expected soon.