So, are you wondering how to open an NPS account? Then, this article is the right resource for you!

NPS, expanded as the National Pension Scheme, was launched by the Central Government of India on 1st January 2004, only for government employees excluding the army! The scheme aimed to establish pension reforms in the country. Moreover, on 1st May 2009, the scheme was opened to all citizens, even those working in the informal sectors.

So, let’s find out how you can open an NPS account in 2021!

The NPS account opening process can be done in online and offline methods. The steps for both are shown below.

How to Open an NPS Account Online

The steps to open an NPS account online are as follows:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the eNPS.

Step 2:  Next, you will first need to register yourself for the scheme before making contributions. So click on the “National Pension System” on the right-hand side of the web page.

Step 3: In the registration process itself, there are three sub-steps. They are:

1. New Registration
2. Complete Pending Registration
3. OTP Authenticate/eSign/Print Registration Form

At this stage, you are under “New Registration.”

Step 4: Enter details such as applicant type, the status of the applicant, the mode of registration (either online or offline with Aadhaar or with PAN) and account type (Tier I or Tier II). Moreover, if you choose the registration mode with PAN, you will have to select a POP (Point of Presence) to verify the KYC. Usually, the POP can be a bank or a non-bank. The list of institutions is available on the website. However, if you choose Aadhaar-based verification, you can pick between Aadhaar, Virtual ID or offline KYC verification modes.

Step 5: Click “Generate OTP.”

Step 6: Then, you will be redirected to a registration form where you will have to fill in the following details:

1. Contact details
2. Bank details
3. Nomination details, etc.

Further, there are 5 steps to pass through before the registration is complete. The steps are:

1. Generate acknowledgement ID
2. Submit registration details
3. PRAN generated
4. OTP authentication/eSign/print and courier registration form
5. The registration process is complete

Step 7: Use net banking to make the initial contribution and pay the fees for KYC. In the case of Aadhaar card-based verification, you can utilise a credit or debit card to complete the payment.

Step 8: Once you have completed the form and payment, if you are not able to eSign, then print the form, paste the photo, affix signature, and submit the form to CRA. The address for CRA is:

Central Recordkeeping Agency (eNPS)

NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited,

1st Floor, Times Tower,

Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg,

Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400 013

By following these steps, you can open an NPS account online with ease!

Note that you can also register for NPS via the KFINTECH website. The steps are completely similar with few differences.

How to Open an NPS Account Offline

If you do not have the facility to open an NPS account online, you can always try the offline process. So, how to open an NPS account offline?

An offline NPS account opening requires a person to fill the registration form offline with a POP. Here are the steps:

• Step 1: The registration form can be collected offline from any Point of Presence Service Providers. You can visit either the NSDL website or the KFINTECH website to know your nearest POP-SP.
• Step 2: Further, once you visit the POP-SP, they will guide you on what documents and details will be required to fill it. Mostly, it will be the same as the online version such as Aadhaar, PAN, passport, etc.
• Step 3: Fill the form with the necessary details and submit it!
• Step 4: You have registered for your NPS account. You should receive a PRAN and a password to operate your account online from the POP. Moreover, you may have to pay some fees for KYC verification and the form. The fees come up to ₹200. Check all details related to the fees here.

So, now that you know how to open an NPS account offline and online,  let’s check out the documents necessary for NPS account opening!

According to the NSDL website, the documents required for an NPS account are:

• Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC ZIP file
• Scanned copy of PAN and cancelled cheque in jpeg, jpg, png, pdf forms up to a size of 4 KB to 2 MB
• Scanned signature and photograph in jpeg, jpg, png of 4 KB to 5 MB 

However, for the KYC process, if not done already, the documents required to open an NPS account online are:

• Address Proof such as:

1. Copies of your depository account

2. Driving license

3. Electricity bill

4. ID proof from local MP, MLA, gazetted officer, municipal councillor

5. Identity card issued by your employer

6. PAN card

7. Rent receipt and credit card statement

8. School-leaving certificate

9. Water bill

• Date of Birth Proof

• ID Proof such as:

1. Driving license

2. ID proof from local MP, MLA, gazetted officer, municipal councillor

3. Identity card issued by your employer

4. PAN card

5. School-leaving certificate

• Photograph

The major details required to open an NPS account are:

• PAN
• Aadhaar number
• KYC documents for address and date of birth