Question map
Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS) ?
Explanation
The correct answer is option C because the proposed new pension scheme should be made mandatory for all new employees of the State Governments and the date of its applicability may be decided by the respective State Governments[1]. This makes all State Government employees joining after the notification date by their respective states eligible for NPS.
Option A is incorrect because NPS is not limited to resident Indian citizens only; it has broader eligibility. Option B is wrong as the age range 21-55 is not the definitive criterion for NPS eligibility. Option D is explicitly incorrect because NPS has been implemented for all Government Employees (except armed forces) joining Central Govt. on or after 01 January 2004[2], and NPS is mandatorily applicable on Central Government employees (except Armed Forces) recruited on or after 01.01.2004[3]. The key disqualifier in option D is the inclusion of Armed Forces and the wrong date (1st April instead of 1st January 2004).
Sources- [1] https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_parliament/2005/Bhattacharya_Committee_on_Pension_Liabilities_of_State_Governments.pdf
- [2] https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=128554
- [3] https://financialservices.gov.in/beta/en/nps
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question is a classic 'Fine Print' test. While most aspirants know NPS exists, the trap lies in the specific exclusions (Armed Forces) and the exact eligibility criteria (NRIs, Age). It penalizes superficial reading of current affairs and rewards those who track the 'Exceptions' in major government notifications.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Are only resident Indian citizens eligible to join the National Pension System (NPS) in India as of 2017?
- Statement 2: Is the eligible age range for joining the National Pension System (NPS) in India limited to 21 to 55 years as of 2017?
- Statement 3: Are all State Government employees who join service after the date of notification by their respective State Governments eligible to join the National Pension System (NPS) in India as of 2017?
- Statement 4: Are all Central Government employees, including members of the Armed Forces, who joined service on or after 1 April 2004 eligible to join the National Pension System (NPS) in India as of 2017?
- States that the voluntary NPS is intended 'for all citizens', indicating eligibility is not limited to only resident Indians.
- Refers to coverage of 'all citizens as on 31st March, 2011', showing an inclusive citizen-based eligibility approach.
- Describes the statutory commencement and basic features of the National Pension System, framing it as a system with individual subscribers.
- Provides context that NPS is established by government notification and regulation rather than restricted solely by residency wording in these features.
Says NPS allows 'All citizens of India' (aged 18–70) to join and explicitly states 'NRIs have also been allowed to open NPS account.'
Use this to infer that non-resident Indian citizens (NRIs) are treated as eligible in addition to resident citizens and check year-specific rules or notifications around 2017 for confirmation.
Defines NPS as a scheme 'to provide old age security to Citizens of India' and classifies accounts by citizenship-related categories.
Combine this with the explicit NRI allowance (snippet 1) to explore whether eligibility was limited by residency or by citizenship status in 2017.
Defines 'ordinary resident' and distinguishes residents from foreign citizens, giving a sense of how 'resident' status is treated in Indian policy texts.
A student could use the resident/ordinary resident definitions to judge whether 'resident citizen' is a necessary criterion for schemes like NPS, by comparing with rules that explicitly mention NRIs.
Provides comparison and eligibility context for Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) categories.
Use these definitions to determine which of these categories might qualify as 'citizens' or be separately allowed for NPS enrollment in 2017.
Specifies who may be registered as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, clarifying citizenship-versus-registration distinctions.
Combine with NPS citizenship language to assess whether OCI/PIO holders would be included or excluded by 'citizens of India' phrasing in scheme rules around 2017.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.