OPS vs CPS: Andhra Pradesh allows one-time switch to Old Pension Scheme for eligible employees; check who qualifies

The Andhra Pradesh government has provided a one-time option to join Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to certain employees who were earlier covered under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), the state’s version of the National Pension System (NPS). In a circular dated July 13, 2026, the state government said that this is a one-time switch option and once employees opt for it, they can’t switch back to the CPS. However, those who want to continue with the CPS can do so.

The Andhra Pradesh government implemented the CPS on September 1, 2004, eight months after the central government implemented the NPS on January 1, 2004.

Which Andhra Pradesh employees will get the one-time option to switch to OPS?


The Andhra Pradesh government has provided the OPS option to the employees who had been recruited through advertisement/notifications issued before September 1, 2004, but joined their service on or after that date. Such employees were given the option of the CPS at the time of their recruitment. But many such employees requested the state government to provide an option to switch to the OPS.

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The Andhra Pradesh government’s decision is in line with the central government decision in March 2023, when it provided NPS-bound employees an option to switch to the OPS. Such employees had been recruited through advertisement/notifications issued before January 1, 2004, but joined their service on or after that date.

Conditions to join OPS for Andhra Pradesh employees

The Andhra Pradesh government has also revealed conditions for employees who want to switch to the OPS. As per the circular, the conditions to join the OPS are-

• The recruitment notification/advertisement issued by the recruiting authority for the vacancy/post must have been issued before September 01, 2004. In this condition, the notification/advertisement date will be the determining criterion.
• Appointment against such notification should have been made on or after September 1, 2004. The employee must presently be under the CPS. Such employees should produce appointment orders and joining proceedings.
• The employee should exercise the OPS option in the prescribed form within three months from the date of issue of these orders or within such extended period as may be notified by the government.
• The option once exercised shall be final and irrevocable.
• Employees who do not exercise the option shall continue under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
• The Andhra Pradesh government clarified that the benefit under the order is a one-time measure for employees, and it should not be treated as a precedent for future claims or categories of employees not specifically covered.

The Andhra Pradesh government said that detailed implementation guidelines, including the procedure for exercising the OPS option and the management of the CPS corpus of employees opting for the OPS, will be issued separately by the Finance Department and the Directorate of Treasuries and Accounts.