Govt extends NPS choice to autonomous bodies

The Government on Tuesday said it has extended two additional investment choices under the National Pension System (NPS) to employees of central autonomous bodies covered under the retirement scheme. The Government had earlier introduced additional investment choices, namely the Aggressive Life Cycle Fund (LC-75) and Balanced Life Cycle Fund (BLC), for the Central Government employees covered under NPS. These investment options have now also been extended to NPS subscribers employed in central autonomous bodies (CABs).

In a statement, the Finance Ministry said the expenditure department has extended the applicability of the Department of Financial Services notification dated November 13, 2025, to CAB employees covered under NPS. Aggressive Life Cycle Fund (LC-75), now named as LC-75-High, is an investment option with equity exposure of up to 75 per cent, designed for subscribers seeking higher growth potential over the long term. Balanced Life Cycle Fund (BLC) is now the Aggressive Life Cycle Fund.

It is an investment option with equity exposure capped at 50 per cent, with a gradual reduction in equity allocation beginning from the age of 45 years, offering a balanced approach between growth and stability.

“The extension of these investment choices aims to provide greater flexibility for NPS subscribers in central autonomous bodies, enabling them to align their pension investments with their individual risk appetite, financial goals, and retirement planning requirements,” the ministry said in a statement.

These choices further strengthen subscriber choice and enhance the attractiveness of the National Pension System for employees covered under the retirement scheme.

Administrative ministries and departments have been asked to inform the CABs under their administrative control about the availability of the aforesaid investment choices, the ministry added.