Mumbai, May 12, 2026: In a significant welfare measure, the Maharashtra government has approved family pension, death gratuity and invalidity pension benefits for employees of the Department of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation who are covered under the National Pension System (NPS) and the Defined Contributory Pension Scheme (DCPS).
The decision issued through a Government Resolution (GR) on Tuesday, aims to strengthen the social security framework for employees appointed on or after November 1, 2005, and provide financial protection to their families in cases of death or medical retirement.
Key Benefits Introduced
Under the revised policy:
- Family Pension: Families of employees who die while in service will now be eligible for family pension benefits under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1982.
- Death and Retirement Gratuity: Employees retiring from service, or families of employees who die during service, will receive gratuity benefits.
- Invalidity Pension: Employees forced to retire prematurely due to permanent physical or mental disability will be entitled to invalidity pension along with retirement gratuity.
Benefits Extended to Aided Institutions
The government has also extended these benefits to teaching and non-teaching employees working in aided vocational institutions, including private aided Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The move is expected to benefit thousands of employees across Maharashtra’s vocational education sector.
Option to Choose Pension Benefits
To implement the scheme, the government has introduced an “Option Form” allowing eligible employees and beneficiaries to choose between the existing NPS framework and benefits available under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1982.
The resolution also includes provisions for families of employees who passed away between 2005 and the present, enabling them to apply for retrospective benefits subject to eligibility conditions.
Employee unions and educational organizations have welcomed the decision, calling it a major step toward ensuring financial security and social protection for vocational education staff and their dependents.
