What is the Retirement Age in India?

India has one of the lowest retirement ages in the world, typically between 58 and 60 years. But as life expectancy rises and workforce needs change, this long-standing rule is being rethought. Retirement age varies across government jobs, private companies, and the armed forces, and even between states. This article looks at the retirement ages for different sectors in India and explores what raising the retirement age could mean for older workers and younger job seekers.

Retirement Age In India 

India’s retirement age ranges from 58 to 60, making it one of the lowest globally. Since the retirement age for government employees is a state subject, individual states can determine it at their discretion while aligning with central government guidelines. For instance, Kerala raised its retirement age to 60, and Andhra Pradesh increased it from 60 to 62.

New Retirement Age In India

Many states have already increased the retirement age of their employees to 62. Following their action, the Central Government might raise the retirement age of central government employees from 60 to 65. Discussions are ongoing across various departments and ministries. 

Retirement Age Across Different Sectors in India

Retirement Age of the Prime Minister of India 

There is no retirement age for the Prime Minister of India. As long as a person meets the eligibility criteria, they can serve regardless of age. The term is five years, but it can be renewed indefinitely through re-election. It is the support of the people and the political party that determines the tenure of the Prime Minister of India.

High Court Judge Retirement Age in India

Currently, there are 25 high courts in India. A high court judge retires at the age of 62, and a supreme court judge retires at the age of 65. There is no consideration of changing the retirement age of high court or supreme court judges. However, arguments were also made in favour and defence of this rule, since increasing the age would help reduce the number of pending cases, it may also increase the number of non-performing judges.

Retirement Age in India for Central Government Employees 

Currently, the retirement age for Central Government employees is 60 years. However, for state government employees, the respective government has the liberty to decide the retirement age of its state employees. If the government were to increase the age, it would delay the payment of retirement benefits for government employees. Additionally, considering the youth population of India, it would make it even more difficult for young aspirants to step up their career graph.

Employees' Retirement Age in India for Private Sector

The retirement age for private sector employees is between 58 and 60. However, depending on the company, it can change the retirement age for its employees. A higher retirement age helps business houses retain their leaders and subject-matter experts for longer. It also gives them the advantage of delaying retirement benefits, just like government employees.

Army Retirement Age in India 

The retirement age for personnel in India’s armed forces differs among the three defence wings—Army, Navy, and Air Force—based on rank, duties, and operational demands. These variations ensure readiness and reflect the physical intensity required in each branch.

• Indian Army: Retirement age ranges from 54 to 58 years, depending on their ranking.
• Indian Navy: Most officers retire at 56 years of age.
• Indian Air Force: Personnel generally retire at 60 years.

Police Retirement Age in India 

The retirement age for officers associated with the Police departments of different states varies depending on their service. For example, the retirement age for police personnel in the state of Uttar Pradesh is set at 60. Additionally, the retirement age of all Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel is set at 60.

Will the Retirement Age be increased to 62?

There is no clear decision about increasing the retirement age to 62 in India. However, based on current facts and figures, it might be necessary. Since India's retirement age is the lowest in the world, The life expectancy of the citizens has also increased from 61.7 in 1998 to 70.1 in 2020. A retired individual probably has no stable source of income for almost a decade in their later years, except for their pension and other retirement benefits. A higher retirement age also allows one to build a bigger EPF corpus at retirement.