Lowering the retirement age of the Central Govt employees had been the most discussed issue in past few months. Several such versions were floating across media claiming each of them to be authentic one but it was Indianmandarins which relied on its own top sources and its successive news reports denying any such move of lowering the retirement age from 60 yrs to 58 yrs.  

Indianmandarins questioned (21.09.2019) the growing uncertainty over retirement age issue and made an effort (23.09.2019) to expose the rumours through a reality check. Terming the rumour on ‘proposal of lowering the retirement age’ a ghost Indianmandarins in its report dated 05.11.2019 underlined that “....contrary to the rumours Indianmandarins’ learnt through some key officials that no such proposal has been initiated as yet.”

Finally, Union Minister for Personnel Dr Jitendra Singh (on 27.11.2019) said in a written reply to Lok Sabha; "No Sir. Presently, there is no proposal to reduce age of retirement on superannuation from 60 years to 58 years,"

It may be underlined that MPs Kaushal Kishore and Upendra Singh Rawat had asked whether there was any proposal before the government to decrease the retirement age of central government employees from 60 years to 58 years or under article 56(J) of compulsory retirement on attaining the age of 50 years.

Further, in his reply, the Dr Jitendra Singh said that there were provisions under Fundamental Rules 56(j), Rule 48 of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 and Rule 16(3) (Amended) of All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, according to which the government has the absolute right to retire officials prematurely, on the ground of lack of integrity or ineffectiveness, in public interest, by giving notice of not less than three months in writing or three months' pay and allowances in lieu of such notice.

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Retirement age 58 years: The ghost returns (News dated 05.11.2019)

NaMo Administration and retirement age: Rumours Vs reality (News dated 23.09.2019)

Uncertainty over retirement age galore: Buck must stop? (News dated 21.09.2019)