Bhavishya Portal Made Mandatory for All Pension Processing: DoPPW Issues Clarification

Retiring Government Employees Must Submit Form 6-A Online via Bhavishya or e-HRMS from November 6, 2024

In a significant move to streamline and digitize pension disbursement, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has reiterated the mandatory use of the Bhavishya Portal for processing all central government pension cases, effective from January 1, 2017. This directive, re-emphasized through a fresh Office Memorandum dated March 24, 2025, aims to ensure that all types of pension cases are processed seamlessly and within stipulated timelines.

Key Highlights of the Circular

• Bhavishya Portal is non-optional: The platform is now the exclusive system for handling pension and related benefits for Central Civil Pensioners.
• No Delays Allowed: All departments must strictly follow the timelines under CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021. Under no circumstances should any pension settlement be delayed.
• New Online Form 6-A Introduced: From November 6, 2024, retiring Central Government employees will be required to fill out the Single Pension Application Form 6-A only through online platforms—either Bhavishya or e-HRMS 2.0.
• Manual processing is a rare exception: In case of technical difficulties or unique circumstances, the concerned Head of Office (HOO) must obtain prior clearance from DoPPW for manual processing or seek an exemption.

What Is the Bhavishya Portal?

‘Bhavishya’ is a common software module developed by DoPPW to digitize the entire pension sanction and payment process. It ensures end-to-end tracking, transparency, and timely settlement of pension cases. Functioning as a centralized platform, Bhavishya links all key stakeholders including employees, departments, Pay & Accounts Offices, and CPPCs of banks.

Government’s Push for Digital Compliance

The Office Memorandum cites two earlier references:

• OM dated November 29, 2016, which first mandated the use of Bhavishya.
• OM dated January 21, 2021, which further emphasized compliance.

By reissuing this clarification, the Ministry is signaling a zero-tolerance approach to delays or non-compliance. It also reflects the government’s commitment to Digital India initiatives by integrating pension processing into centralized digital systems.

Instructions to Departments

All Ministries and Departments are expected to:

• Ensure 100% processing through Bhavishya or e-HRMS 2.0.
• Guide employees in filing Form 6-A online.
• Coordinate closely with the DoPPW in case of any software-related issues.
• Avoid any offline processing unless specifically exempted.

Conclusion

With this renewed push, the government is not only strengthening its digital pension infrastructure but also ensuring that retirees receive their dues efficiently and on time. The Bhavishya Portal, now fully mandatory, is poised to become the backbone of pension administration in India’s central civil services.

View original OM: