National Pension System (NPS) for Common People: Simple Guide to Start

Who needs this service?

  • Indian Citizens (Resident, NRI, or OCI) aged 18 to 70 years.

  • Private employees, self-employed individuals, homemakers, or freelancers wanting a monthly pension.

  • Anyone not covered by the old government pension scheme.

Required documents

Keep these ready as scanned .jpeg or .jpg files (size 4KB–2MB):

  • Aadhaar Card (Linked to your Mobile Number for OTP).

  • PAN Card (Must be linked to Aadhaar).

  • Active Bank Account details (Account Number & IFSC).

  • Cancelled Cheque (with your name printed) or Bank Passbook front page.

  • Scanned Photograph (Passport size).

  • Scanned Signature (Sign on white paper with black ink).

national pension system (nps) for common people: simple guide to start


Online application process (Step-by-Step)

This is the fastest method (Paperless). You can use Protean (formerly NSDL), KFintech, or CAMS. The process is similar for all.

1. Go to the Official eNPS Portal:

2. Start Registration:

  • Click on “National Pension System” > “Registration”.

  • Register With: Select “Aadhaar Online/Offline e-KYC”.

  • Applicant Type: Select “Individual Subscriber”.

  • Status: Select “Citizen of India”.

  • Account Type: Select “Tier I only” (Mandatory for pension) or “Tier I & Tier II”.

3. Enter Personal Details:

  • Enter Aadhaar Number and generate OTP.

  • Enter OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.

  • System will auto-fetch your photo and DoB from Aadhaar.

4. Fill Bank & Nominee Details:

5. Choose Investment Option:

  • Pension Fund Manager: Choose one (e.g., SBI, LIC, HDFC, ICICI).

  • Investment Choice:

    • Auto Choice: (Recommended for beginners) Money is automatically managed based on your age.

    • Active Choice: You decide the % split between Equity (Stocks) and Debt.

6. Payment & E-Sign:

  • Make the minimum initial payment of ₹500 via Net Banking/UPI.

  • After payment, select “e-Sign”. An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar mobile again.

  • Success: Your PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number) is generated instantly.

Note: If you do not “e-Sign”, you must print the form and courier it to the CRA address within 30 days. E-Sign is strictly recommended.


Offline process (District Office)

If you cannot do it online, you must visit a Point of Presence (POP-SP). These are designated bank branches or post offices.

  1. Locate a POP-SP: Visit the Find Your Nearest POP page.

  2. Get the Form: Ask for the CSRF (Subscriber Registration Form).

  3. Fill & Submit:

    • Attach self-attested copies of Aadhaar, PAN, and Cancelled Cheque.

    • Paste a recent passport-size photo.

  4. Payment: Submit a cheque or Demand Draft (Minimum ₹500) in favor of “POP <Name of Bank> Collection Account – NPS Trust”.

  5. Receipt: Collect the acknowledgement receipt with a 17-digit number.


How to check status/track application

If you haven’t received your PRAN or Welcome Kit yet:

1. Track PRAN Dispatch Status:

2. Login to Account (after PRAN generation):

  • Go to: https://cra.nps-proteantech.in/

  • Click “Login with PRAN/IPIN”.

  • First time users: Click “Reset Password” to create your password using your PRAN and DoB.


Common problems and solutions

Problem Reason Solution
“Details Mismatch” Error Name on PAN does not match Name on Aadhaar exactly. Update PAN or Aadhaar first so names match 100%.
Payment Deducted but PRAN not Generated Session timeout during banking transaction. Wait 2-3 working days for refund. If not, email grievances@npstrust.org.in with transaction ID.
KYC Rejection Uploaded photo/signature is blurry or bank details don’t match. Login to the portal using the “Ack No” (sent to email) and re-upload clear documents.
“Account Frozen” You did not contribute the minimum ₹1,000 in the last financial year. Login and make a contribution of min. ₹500 + penalty (approx ₹100) to unfreeze.
Cannot Reset Password Mobile number/Email changed or incorrect in records. Submit Form S2 (Subscriber Details Change) to your nearest POP-SP (Bank).

Official helpline numbers and contact

Use these for official support. Do not trust random numbers on Google.

  • NPS Trust Helpline: +91-11-35655222 (Mon-Fri, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM)

  • Protean (NSDL) CRA Toll-Free: 1800 222 080

  • KFintech CRA Toll-Free: 1800 208 1516

  • CAMS CRA Toll-Free: 1800 572 6557

  • WhatsApp Support (NPS Trust): +91-85888 52130

  • Email for Grievances: grievances@npstrust.org.in


This information is from official sources (PFRDA, NPS Trust) as of January 2026. Always verify on the official eNPS portal for the latest updates.

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