The Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) amended the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021 on January 29. As a result, female government employees can now select their sons or daughters for family pension instead of their husbands.
“However, the new amendment allows female government servants or pensioners to request the grant of family pension to their eligible child/children after their own demise, instead of their spouse,” it stated.
According to Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh, the change will address cases filed under statutes like the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, or the Dowry Prohibition Act in which marital disagreement results in divorce proceedings.
The DoPPW states that a female government employee or pensioner wishing to switch nominees must submit a written request to the relevant head of office specifying that, in the event of her death while the proceedings are still in progress, her eligible child or children should receive the family pension before her spouse.
“If the female government servant or pensioner passes away during the proceedings, the family pension will be disbursed accordingly,” the statement added.
The statement stated that the family pension will be paid to the widower as long as he serves as the guardian of a minor child or a child with a mental illness. After the child reaches majority and is still eligible for family pension, the payment will be made directly to the child.
It said that in situations where a female government employee or pensioner passes away and leaves behind widowed children who are still entitled for family pension despite having reached adulthood, the family pension will be paid to those children.
