Centre extends retirement age for scientists

The Centre has decided to give two years' extension beyond the retirement age of 62 to specialists in scientific and medical fields on a case-to-case basis, with immediate effect, to take advantage of their experience.

Through an earlier decision, their retirement age was raised from 60 to 62 years but it was felt that they can be retained for another two years.

A Department of Personnel circular says Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has ordered constitution of a four-member screening committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary to consider the individual cases that deserve extension of two years in service.

The secretaries of Bio-Technology, Earth Science and Personnel will be members of this committee.

In case of the mission-oriented agencies like the departments of Atomic Energy and Space, the secretary of the concerned department will be also associated with the committee, the circular added.