The Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) for State government employees comes into force on January 1, 2026. The Finance department issued a Government Order (G.O.) on January 9 and circulated it on January 10. TAPS is mandatory for all eligible government employees joining service from January 1, 2026. Employees currently under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) who retire on or after this date will be covered by TAPS. Those in service before January 1, 2026, under CPS can choose at retirement between TAPS benefits or those under CPS. Employees covered by TAPS, including those who switch from CPS, will get a minimum pension and can commute part of it. The scheme will start officially after rules and accounting procedures are finalized. Detailed rules and operational guidelines will be notified later, said the G.O. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced on January 3 that TAPS offers government employees an assured pension equal to 50% of their last basic pay plus dearness allowance. Employees will contribute 10% of their basic pay to the pension fund. The State government will cover extra funds needed to ensure this pension. In case of a pensioner's death, 60% of their pension will be paid as family pension to a nominated beneficiary. Pensioners and family pensioners will receive dearness allowance hikes twice yearly, matching active employees. Additionally, employees will receive a gratuity up to ₹25 lakh at retirement or if they die during service, depending on their years of service under TAPS. The scheme aims to secure the financial future of Tamil Nadu's government employees with these assured benefits.