Rule 120 - Foreign Service Contributions | KartavyaDesk
Original Rule Text
F.R. 120. A Government servant in foreign service may not elect to withhold contributions and to forfeit the right to count as duty in Government service the time spent in foreign employ. The contribution paid on his behalf maintains his claim to pension, or to pension and leave Salary, as the case may be, in accordance with the rules of the service of which he is a member. Neither he nor the foreign employer has any right of property in a contribution paid and no claim for refund can be entertained.
What This Means
F.R. 120 deals with the contributions a government employee makes when they are on 'foreign service'. Foreign service, in this context, means being employed by an organization outside the government, like a UN agency or a private company, but with the government's permission. This rule essentially says that when you're on foreign service, you can't choose to stop contributing towards your pension and other benefits. You *must* continue to contribute. This contribution ensures that your time spent in foreign employment is still counted as 'duty' for the purpose of your pension and leave salary calculations when you eventually return to government service.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- •Government servants on foreign service *cannot* opt out of contributing to their pension and leave salary.
- •Contributions made during foreign service ensure the period counts towards pension and leave salary benefits.
- •Neither the government servant nor the foreign employer has ownership or right to refund of the contributions.
- •The rule maintains the government servant's claim to pension and leave salary as per their service rules.
Practical Example
Ms. Sharma, a Section Officer in the Ministry of Finance, is selected for a 3-year assignment with the World Bank. As per F.R. 120, she cannot choose to stop contributing to her GPF (General Provident Fund) and other pension-related schemes during her World Bank tenure. The World Bank, as her foreign employer, will deduct the necessary contributions from her salary and remit it to the Indian government. Even if Ms. Sharma decides to resign from the World Bank after 2 years, neither she nor the World Bank can claim a refund of the contributions already made. These contributions will ensure that her 2 years with the World Bank are counted towards her pensionable service when she rejoins the Ministry of Finance.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't want to contribute to my pension during foreign service?▼
Who is responsible for paying the contributions during foreign service?▼
Can I get a refund of the contributions if I resign from the foreign service before completing the term?▼
Does this rule apply to all government employees?▼
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Test Your Knowledge
Question 1 of 3
According to F.R. 120, what is the option available to a Government servant in foreign service regarding contributions towards pension and leave salary?
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