New Pension Scheme for Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) - SDBS (Service Discharge Benefit Scheme)

As we know that all the central government employees are eligible for the New Pension Scheme (NPS) who has been appointed after 2004. But Gramin Dak Sevak can not get the benefit of the above scheme. Hence SDBS scheme for GDS launched by the Government of India. Check SDBS scheme full information from here.

The Modi Government has approved a newly introduced pension scheme called Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) for Gramin Dak Sevak in the department of Post. The SDBS will be regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA).

Who is eligible for SDBS scheme and SDBS Contribution?

All regularly appointed Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), who have been selected after due process in accordance with the Service & Employment Rules and after rendering one year’s satisfactory
service, are eligible to join the scheme. The existing Gramin Dak Sevaks who are left with three years or less service as of 01-01-2011, shall not be eligible to join the Service Discharge
 Benefit Scheme (SDBS).

Option for the existing incumbents

The existing regularly appointed Gramin Dak Sevaks on the date of notification of the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS), shall have the option either to switch over to the new Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) or to continue in the existing Severance Amount Scheme.

In case they opt to join the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme for GDS, the Severance amount accrued till the date of their joining, @ Rs.1500 for every completed year of service till their enrolment will be added to the accumulated contributions at the time of discharge for annuitization.

New Entrants

The New Gramin Dak Sevaks, appointed on or after the date of introduction of the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS), shall mandatorily have to get themselves enrolled under the new Scheme (SDBS). They will not be entitled to receive the benefit of severance amount.

Read Also: GDS conduct and engagement rules 2020

SDBS Contribution for SDBS scheme for GDS

Only the Government shall contribute @ Rs.200 per month for each enrolled Gramin Dak Sevak. The Gramin Dak Sevaks shall not be required to make any contribution from their side under the scheme. 

The contributions made by the Department shall be credited to the Trustee Bank designated by the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) and invested through Pension Fund Managers(PFMs) designated by the PFRDA.

However, no such contribution/ subscription shall be made by the Department in respect of the Gramin Dak Sevaks, who are placed ‘Put off” duty or unauthorizedly absent. Similarly, the provisionally appointed Gramin Dak Sevaks or substitutes engaged for leave periods of the regular GDS, etc., are also not eligible for joining the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS).

On appointment /absorption of a Gramin dak in a regular department of Post

The Gramin Dak Sevaks, who are enrolled under this Service Discharge Benefit Scheme(SDBS), on their absorption/appointment in the Department against any regular Departmental posts, shall have to quit the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) and to seek transfer of the accrued accumulations under the SDBS till their date of absorption/ regular appointment to a Departmental post, to their new account under the New Pension Scheme for Departmental employees, already in existence, for which he/she shall become eligible on such regular appointment to a Departmental post. Such transferred funds/accumulations shall then be regulated/invested under the New Pension Scheme.

Nodal Agency for SDBS scheme

The pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority (PFRDA) is the Nodal Agency and Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) appointed by the PFRDA will maintain the data/ records as well as upload/transmit the data to the Trustee Bank and also advise the Trustee Bank to transfer the
funds to the relevant Pension Fund Manager (PFM) for investment purposes.

Enrolment and assigning of PRAN number in SDBS for GDS

1. The Gramin Dak Sevaks opting to come under the new Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS), shall have to submit an application in the prescribed proforma for their enrolment in the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS). 

Such applications for enrolment will be sent to the Postal Divisional Office concerned by the Sub Divisional Inspector/ASPOs., duly attested and verified as required.

(ii) The Divisional Heads (Director / Sr./Supdt. of Post offices will collect all such applications, and ensure that the applications are complete in all respects, and forward them to the Central Record Keeping Agency’s (CRA) Facilitation Centers for enrollment and issue of a digitized card containing inter alia Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) for Gramin Dak Sevak concerned. 

The list of Facilitation Centres of Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) is attached, to which the Applications of Gramin Dak Sevaks who opt to join the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS), are to be sent.

(iii) The Gramin Dak Sevaks opting for enrollment under the new SDBS, shall also be required to open a Savings Bank Account in the concerned Post Office and the particulars of such SB Account shall be furnished in the relevant columns of the application form by the GDS.

Exit form the SDBS Scheme

(i) A Gramin Dak Sevak, if he so wishes to exit at any point of time after attaining the age of 58 years, he can withdraw 20% of the accumulations and has to invest the 80% of accumulations for purchase of Life Annuity from any of the Life Insurance Company authorized by
Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority (IRDA) The Department shall not make further contributions once he exits from Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS).

(ii) At the time of discharge from service also, the Gramin Dak Sevak would be required to invest a minimum of 40% of accumulations to purchase a Life Annuity from any of the authorized Life Insurance Company duly approved by the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority (IRDA). The remaining amount i.e. 60% of the accumulations can be withdrawn.

(iii) However there shall be no restriction on purchase of life annuity exceeding 40% of their accumulations in the fund. In other words, the Gramin Dak Sevak, discharged on completion of his services may invest in the Life Annuity even more than the minimum required 40% if he/she so desires.

Dismissal or removal from service

If a Gramin Dak Sevak enrolled as a member of Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) is removed/ dismissed from service in consequence of a disciplinary proceeding, he forfeits his

past service and benefits of the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS). 

On the other hand, the Department reserves the right to claim refund of the contributions made in respect of such Gramin Dak Sevak till his date of dismissal/ removal and to credit it to the Government accounts. He will also be not entitled to receive the Severance Amount and Ex-Gratia Gratuity if otherwise were admissible to him/her.

Charges for digitization and annual service charges in SDBS GDS Scheme

The Department will bear the cost of preparation of digitized cards and also Annual Service Charges of the accounts of enrolled Gramin Dak Sevaks in the Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS)

Click here to download the PDF file of the above orders.

Service Discharge Benefit Scheme 2011 pdf 

Here I am going to share the SDBS scheme 2011 pdf. If you don't know what is SDBS then you can download the service discharge benefit scheme for GDS in detail from the below link.

Click here to download SDBS Scheme 2011

SDBS form for GDS

The application form for GDS SDBS scheme is available here. You have to download SBDS scheme 2011 pdf file from the above link. all application forms like SDBS form are attached to this PDF file.

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service discharge benefit scheme 2011 pdf