Pension, gratuity, GPF and NPS payments run on a paper trail of fixed forms, Form 5, Form 6, the Pension Payment Order (PPO), the Last Pay Certificate (LPC), the Special Seal Authority and the bank credit advice. An RTI under Section 6 of the RTI Act 2005, citing the CCS (Pension) Rules 2021 and the PFRDA Act 2013, asking for each form, each sanction order and the present location of your file, normally moves a stuck pension within 30 days.
Use this guide if (a) you retired but pension is not yet credited; (b) gratuity was not paid within three months; © GPF withdrawal is pending despite Form 31; (d) NPS exit is stuck after PRAN authorisation; (e) family pension after death of an employee or pensioner is delayed; (f) commutation amount has not been released. The legal framework changed materially with the CCS (Pension) Rules 2021 (replacing 1972 Rules) and continues with PFRDA exit regulations for NPS subscribers.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly held in DS Nakara v Union of India (1983) and State of Punjab v Rafiq Masih (2014) that pension is property and cannot be denied or delayed without due process.
To, The Public Information Officer, Office of [Head of Office where applicant retired] [Full address] Subject: RTI under Section 6 regarding delay in finalisation of pension and gratuity of [Full name], [Designation], [Employee Code], retired on [DD/MM/YYYY] Sir / Madam, I, [Full name], a citizen of India, request the following information under the RTI Act 2005. Fee of Rs. 10 paid by IPO no. [number, date]. 1. Date on which Form 5 was forwarded by my office to the PAO. 2. Date on which Form 6 (with pension calculation by HOD) was forwarded to PAO. 3. Date on which Form 7 (gratuity) was forwarded. 4. Date on which the Last Pay Certificate was issued. 5. PPO number issued by CPAO and the date of dispatch to my disbursing bank. 6. Special Seal Authority number, if applicable, and date of issue. 7. Certified copy of every noting on my pension file. 8. Present location of the file and name, designation, section of the present custodian. 9. Calculation sheet for gratuity, commutation amount and DCRG. 10. Reason recorded in writing for the delay beyond the timelines in CCS (Pension) Rules 2021. 11. Action taken on my representation dated [DD/MM/YYYY], if any. 12. Whether provisional pension under Rule 64 has been sanctioned, and if not, why not. I invoke Section 10 (severability) and Section 6(3) (transfer to right office). I undertake to pay further fee under Section 7(3). Yours faithfully, [Signature, name, date]
For NPS subscribers, replace the items above with: PRAN number; date of submission of withdrawal request; date PAO authorised; date CRA processed; date funds were credited; reason for delay beyond the PFRDA Exit Regulations timeline.
The CCS (Pension) Rules 2021 expect Form 5 to be initiated eight months before retirement, and Form 6 with calculations to be sent six months before. The PPO should reach the disbursing bank at least one month before retirement so that pension starts the very next month.
PPO is the Pension Payment Order issued by CPAO (or state AG). Special Seal Authority is the corresponding authority sent to the bank. Without the SSA, the bank cannot credit pension even if PPO is in your hand.
Yes, subject to conditions in CCS (Pension) Rules 2021, unmarried, widowed, divorced daughters are eligible if dependent. Use the rule citation in your RTI to nudge the office.
Yes. Rule 68 of CCS (Pension) Rules 2021 entitles you to interest if gratuity is paid more than three months after retirement, at the rate notified by the Ministry of Finance.
Ask the controlling ministry. Records of disbanded offices are usually transferred to the parent department or the Department of Personnel.
Yes. PFRDA, CRA (Protean / KFin) and your Nodal Office are public authorities. CRA private bodies are tricky; address PFRDA as the PIO of last resort.
No. Most accountants and DDOs treat an RTI as a deadline. Filing it usually accelerates, not slows, the file.
Last reviewed: 9 May 2026.