The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India, has issued an Office Memorandum (O.M.) dated October 30, 2025, clarifying the procedure for certain pensioners seeking employment with a Government outside India following retirement.
This directive, referenced as F. No. 38/10(03)/2025-P&PW(A), emphasizes compliance with the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021.
Mandatory Prior Permission Required
The core of the memorandum revolves around the provisions of Rule 10 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. This rule specifically applies to pensioners who, immediately before their retirement, were members of the Central Service, Group ‘A’.
- Requirement: Such a pensioner who wishes to accept any employment under a Government outside India must first obtain the previous permission of the Central Government for such acceptance.
- Consequence of Non-Compliance: A pensioner who accepts such employment without proper permission will have their pension suspended. The pension will not be payable for the entire period of such employment, or for a longer period as directed by the Government.
Exception for Pre-Retirement Approval
The O.M. does provide an exception to the requirement for subsequent permission:
- A government servant who was already permitted by the Central Government to take up a specific form of employment under any Government outside India during their leave preparatory to retirement (LPR) will not be required to obtain subsequent permission for their continuance in that same employment after official retirement.
Procedure for Consideration of Requests
The requests from pensioners for permission to accept employment under a Government outside India will be handled through a defined mechanism:
- Requests shall be considered in accordance with the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961 and any instructions issued by the Government from time to time. This ensures a structured and regulated review process.
Call for Compliance
The memorandum urges All Ministries/Departments/Organizations to bring these crucial provisions of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 to the notice of all concerned for compliance.
This move underscores the Government’s intent to strictly regulate post-retirement employment under foreign governments for high-ranking Central Civil Service personnel.
Source: Office Memorandum signed by Madhu Mankotia, Under Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare.
