UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Delhi HC asks Centre to consider pension plea

Question 1

How many judges constituted the Bench of the Delhi High Court that, in January 2026, quashed the 2018 Central Administrative Tribunal order and directed the Centre to consider including a retired employee's live-in partner in the Pension Payment Order?

Accepted Answer

Two

Answer

One (single judge)

Answer

Three

Answer

Five

Question 2

Which is the nodal department of the Union Government for formulation of policies relating to pension and other retirement benefits of Central Government civilian employees governed by the CCS (Pension) Rules?

Accepted Answer

Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare

Answer

Department of Expenditure

Answer

Department of Personnel and Training

Answer

Department of Financial Services

Question 3

The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare, which administers the CCS (Pension) Rules invoked in the Delhi High Court's 2026 ruling, functions under which Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Answer

Ministry of Finance

Answer

Ministry of Labour and Employment

Answer

Ministry of Law and Justice

Question 4

In the context of the CCS (Pension) Rules invoked in the Delhi High Court case, what does a 'Pension Payment Order (PPO)' precisely refer to?

Accepted Answer

An authorisation document issued by the pension-sanctioning authority specifying the pensioner, the family pension entitlements and the family members eligible to receive them

Answer

An annual budgetary sanction issued by the Ministry of Finance authorising disbursement of pension liabilities from the Consolidated Fund of India

Answer

A judicial order of the Central Administrative Tribunal directing release of pension that has been withheld by the appointing authority

Answer

A government bond issued to a retiring employee in lieu of cumulative arrears of pension and gratuity

Question 5

The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 and the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 — both of which were validated through the Finance Bill passed by the Lok Sabha on 25 March 2025 — have been framed under which Article of the Constitution of India?

Accepted Answer

Article 309

Answer

Article 310

Answer

Article 311

Answer

Article 312

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Delhi HC asks Centre to consider pension plea

Q1. How many judges constituted the Bench of the Delhi High Court that, in January 2026, quashed the 2018 Central Administrative Tribunal order and directed the Centre to consider including a retired employee's live-in partner in the Pension Payment Order?

Q2. Which is the nodal department of the Union Government for formulation of policies relating to pension and other retirement benefits of Central Government civilian employees governed by the CCS (Pension) Rules?

Q3. The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare, which administers the CCS (Pension) Rules invoked in the Delhi High Court's 2026 ruling, functions under which Union Ministry?

Q4. In the context of the CCS (Pension) Rules invoked in the Delhi High Court case, what does a 'Pension Payment Order (PPO)' precisely refer to?

Q5. The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 and the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 — both of which were validated through the Finance Bill passed by the Lok Sabha on 25 March 2025 — have been framed under which Article of the Constitution of India?