Lok Sabha Q&A : On change in retirement age & compulsory retirement

Union Minister Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha on August 9 that there are currently no plans to alter the retirement age for Central Government employees.

Addressing a question in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Singh conveyed that within the past three years, a total of 122 government officials have undergone compulsory retirement, acting in accordance with diverse provisions of service regulations.

According to Mr. Singh, who holds the position of Minister of State for Personnel, the probity portal's latest data as of June 30, 2023, which has been sourced from various Ministries, departments, and cadre controlling authorities (CCAs), indicates the activation of Fundamental Rules (FR)-56(j) and equivalent regulations against these 122 officers during the span from 2020 to 2023, including the present year.

Mr. Singh reiterated, "At present, there is no intention to revise the retirement age of central government employees."

He went on to elucidate that the primary objective behind implementing the review mechanism established by FR-56(j) and analogous provisions is to bolster administrative efficiency.

In addition, Mr. Singh highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to foster digitalization, enhance e-office utilization, streamline regulations, periodically restructure cadres, and eliminate obsolete laws. These initiatives collectively serve the purpose of fortifying administrative capacities and enhancing overall work efficiency in governance.

As per the rule, Central Government employees retire from their service upon reaching 60 years of age.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING)

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3246
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023)

RETIREMENT AGE OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES 3246.
SHRIMATI SARMISTHA SETHI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

1. whether there is any proposal to change the retirement age of Government employees and if so, the details thereof;
2. the number of employees who have been given compulsory retirement under Rule 56(j) during the last three years and the current year, year-wise; and
3. the steps taken in the direction of strengthening and bringing transparency in administration during the last three years and the current year?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

: There is no proposal under consideration to change the retirement age of the Central Government employees.

& (c): As per the updated information /data available on the Probity Portal (as on 30.06.2023) as provided by the different Ministries/Departments/Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs), provisions of Fundamental Rules (FR)-56(j)/similar provisions have been invoked against a total of 122 officers during the last three years (2020-2023), including the current year.

The objective of the review process under the FR 56(j)/similar provisions is to bring efficiency and to strengthen the administrative machinery. Government has also been continuously endeavouring for greater emphasis on digitization, enhanced use of e-office, simplification of rules, periodic cadre restructuring and abolition of redundant laws for strengthening the administration and improving the overall work efficiency in governance.

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