NNPSGSEF observes ‘Black Day’ across state

State government employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) observed a statewide “Black Day” on Wednesday across Nagaland under the banner of the Nagaland National Pension System Government Service Employees Forum (NNPSGSEF).
In a press release, the Forum highlighted the growing apprehension and distrust among employees regarding the NPS, stating that it has left thousands of government servants uncertain about their post-retirement future.
NNPSGSEF pointed out that on April 1, 2025, instead of scrapping the NPS and restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) as long demanded, the Centre introduced the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) — a modified version still under the NPS framework.
The forum criticised both NPS and UPS for exposing employees’ retirement savings to market risks and providing inadequate post-retirement benefits.
Reiterating its demand, the NNPSGSEF stated that only the OPS can guarantee old-age financial security and dignity in retirement. It emphasised that neither the market-linked NPS nor its modified version (UPS) could provide the assured benefits that employees seek.
The forum described the statewide black day observance as a collective expression of disappointment and a show of unity among employees.
NNPSGSEF affirmed its commitment to intensifying peaceful and democratic agitations until the OPS was restored.
In Dimapur, the Central Unit along with the Dimapur District Unit of NNPSGSEF met the Commissioner of Police to raise awareness about the movement.
State president Avizo Nienu explained that under NPS and UPS, the government bears no responsibility for ensuring a fixed pension, placing the entire risk on the employees.
He added that the returns may not keep pace with inflation, thereby eroding the real value of retirement savings.
NNPSGSEF also received strong support from the All India NPS Employees Federation (AINPSEF) National president Dr. Manjeet Singh Patel, who assured full backing to the NNPSGSEF. Dr. Manjeet Singh Patel stated that the fight for restoration of the OPS was far from over.
Dr. Patel also highlighted that AINPSEF has successfully secured several amendments to the NPS framework in the past. He mentioned meetings held with Minister of DoPT, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on January 14, 2025, and February 24, 2026, to highlight the drawbacks of NPS/UPS.
He further informed that a high-level expert committee was constituted by PFRDA in February 2026 to examine the growing concerns related to the implementation of NPS and UPS.