Last Updated:September 06, 2025, 20:32 IST

Nirmala Sitharaman thanked state finance ministers for supporting the GST overhaul, unanimously approved at the GST Council, and promising relief for the common man.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman wrote to finance ministers of all states, expressing gratitude for their support and active role in helping implement the landmark overhaul of the goods and services tax (GST) regime.

In an interview with news agency PTI, Sitharaman said states made their view on the proposal to rejig tax rates but ultimately agreed that it was for the benefit of the common man, an argument that helped reach a unanimous decision at the GST Council meeting earlier this week.

The revision, set to take effect on September 22 and expected to reduce rates on a broad range of products—from butter and chocolates to shampoos, tractors, and air conditioners—was approved at a GST Council meeting on September 3. The council, chaired by Sitharaman, comprises representatives from all states and Union Territories.

“Yesterday, I wrote a letter to each finance minister thanking them, saying, you can have any number of intense discussions and arguments, but finally, the Council rose to the occasion and gave relief to the people of India, to all people of India. And, I am grateful for that gesture. So, I wrote that letter,” she said.

Seh called the work at the Council, truly ‘remarkable’. Despite concerns about potential revenue loss from reclassifying most products into two main categories—5% for essential goods and 18% for all others, eliminating the 12% and 28% slabs—the council unanimously approved the GST overhaul.

The panel was to meet for two days, starting September 3, to discuss the proposal made by the Centre, but ended up approving it on the very first day after a marathon day-long meeting.

“So the sense of the house was, this is a proposal which is going to undoubtedly benefit the common man. There is no point in standing against it… Ultimately, everybody came together for a good cause, and I’m truly very grateful,” the Finance Minister said.

The minister stated that while states have consistently supported rate reductions, their primary concern has been the impact on revenue following the tax cuts.

“I even appealed to them, saying, for the sake of the people of India, please. It’s not just the states. It’s even the Centre that is going to be affected by the reduction. But we’ll make up for it because once the rates come down, people are going to come out to buy, and that will take care of it (revenue impact). That’s how consensus was arrived at,” she said.

Speaking at a press conference following the GST Council meeting, Sitharaman expressed her gratitude to the states for their cooperation and collaborative efforts in implementing one of India’s most significant tax reforms.

On Saturday, she observed that the Council had patiently considered every comment and suggestion from its members. “All points were carefully discussed before reaching a consensus,” she said.

She also emphasised the inclusive nature of the discussions, noting that several ministers who wished to speak again after their initial points had been addressed were allowed to do so.

“Their additional inputs were heard and taken into account,” the Finance Minister emphasised. She also credited states for their constructive participation in the GST Council and their commitment to driving tax reform.

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A programme providing school holiday clubs for thousands of children in Cornwall has been extended.

The Time2Move holiday programme supports families with activities and healthy food for children aged between five and 16, and is fully funded for those eligible for benefits-related free school meals, the government has confirmed.

The government announced a three-year extension for the scheme, as part of a £600m investment nationally.

The programme is run by Active Cornwall, which brings together providers across the county, and said £8m had been invested in it since 2021.

Tim Marrion, partnership manager at Active Cornwall said: “We know that school holidays can bring particular challenges for families on lower incomes and children can face triple inequalities of social isolation, poor diet and low levels of physical activity over the holiday periods.

“Through our Time2Move programme we make a real difference for over 12,000 children and their families each year, so this funding extension is very welcome news”.

The programme is fully-funded by the Department for Education and is known nationally as the Holiday Activities and Food Programme.

New Delhi: The Government of India has rolled out new rules for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). This gives central government employees an option to switch under the National Pension System (NPS). Effective from April 1, 2025, the scheme ensures employees get an assured payout after retirement, offering more security for their post-retirement years.

The Finance Ministry has announced that September 30, 2025 will be the last date for eligible employees and retirees under NPS to switch to the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). After this deadline, those who decide to continue with NPS will not be allowed to shift to UPS later.

Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) Explained

The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) is a new option introduced under the National Pension System (NPS) for central government employees. It gives them the benefit of an assured payout after retirement, ensuring financial stability in their later years. The scheme officially came into effect on April 1, 2025. (Also Read: Hurry! Only 10 Days Left To File ITR—Check If You Have Filed It Correctly)

UPS vs NPS: Key Differences

While NPS returns can fluctuate with the market, UPS carries low risk since the pension is guaranteed. Under UPS, employees get a minimum assured pension of Rs 10,000 per month after completing 10 years of service, regardless of market performance. (Also Read: Neutral On Indian Equities, GST Reforms To Boost Consumption: Report)

Who Can Opt for UPS?

Only central government employees currently enrolled under NPS can apply for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). To be eligible, you must:

– Be a serving central government employee as of April 1, 2025

– Already be registered under the NPS

– Wish to shift to the new UPS for assured pension payouts

How to Switch from NPS to UPS (Online Process)

Step 1: Visit the eNPS Portal

– Go to: eNPS Portal

– Select “NPS to UPS Migration” under the Unified Pension Scheme section

Step 2: Enter Your Details

– Enter your PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number)

– Enter your Date of Birth

– Fill in the Captcha and click “Verify PRAN”

Step 3: OTP Verification

– An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number or email ID

– Enter the OTP to continue

Step 4: Accept the Declaration

– A declaration window will appear

– Tick the acceptance box and click “Proceed to e-Sign”

– Note: Once submitted, this choice is final and cannot be changed

Step 5: e-Sign Using Aadhaar

– Enter your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID (VID)

– Click “Send OTP”

– Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and click “Verify OTP”

Step 6: Get Confirmation

– Your migration request will be submitted

– An Acknowledgement Number will be generated

– Download the e-signed migration form for your records//

Offline Option to Apply for UPS

If you prefer the offline route, you can also apply for UPS through forms. Here’s how:

Download the Form: Get Form A2 from NSDL UPS Portal. (Form A1/A2 may be used depending on eligibility.)

Submit the Form: Fill it and get it verified by your Head of Office.

Approval Process: The form is then routed through the DDO → PAO/CDDO → Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA).

PRAN Allocation: The CRA will generate your Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).

First Contribution: Your first contribution must be credited within 20 days of application or joining date.

Family Pension Under UPS

If the pension holder passes away after retirement, the legally wedded spouse will receive a family pension equal to 60 per cent of the payout that the pension holder was getting just before their demise. This applies to the spouse who was legally married at the time of retirement (whether superannuation, voluntary retirement, or retirement under FR 56(j)).