NPS stands for National Pension System and it is a scheme put forward by the Government of India to provide security to the ex-employees. It is a retirement scheme that aims to give financial independence to people post-retirement.

In this scheme, the savings of an individual are put into the pension fund and invested by fund managers who are approved by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India. The funds are invested in mutual funds, index funds, government bonds and securities, etc. Any individual who wishes to open an NPS account can do so by following two ways, online or offline.

Offline mode of Opening NPS account

Find a Point of Presence that could help you subscribe, verify and receive contributions for NPS

Fill out the application and provide the required documents

The minimum amount that can be deposited under the NPS is Rs.500, and the applicant must also submit a PRAN or Permanent Retirement Account Number

Online method of opening NPS Account

The online procedure of applying for NPS account is way more convenient and user-friendly than the offline mode of opening an NPS account. Here are the steps that an individual needs to follow to open the NPS account through online mode:

Open NPS Account using PAN card

• Provide your mobile number, email address and bank account number in your net banking facility.
• The authorities will do KYC verification once you have submitted copies of the documents
• An amount of Rs.125 is charged a fee for online verification

Open NPS account using Aadhar Card

If you wish to open NPS account by using your Aadhar Number, then you can follow these steps:

• Provide your Aadhar Number
• Enter the OTP received on your Registered Mobile Number
• The authorities will verify the details provided by you
• Once the details are verified, you will be required to make an initial payment of Rs.500
• The Digital Signature Certificate is also needed to be uploaded by the applicant
• After the process is complete, you can take a print out of your NPS Application form, affix photographs and submit it to the NSDL Office within three months.

NPS Subscriber Age Limit Increased to 70

New subscribers are set to be introduced to the NPS (National Pension System). This includes individuals up to the age of 70, which allows them to have a guaranteed pension scheme. India’s pension regulator reported that the scheme will also allow full withdrawals of up to Rs.5 lakh on maturity.
3 years ago, when the age limit was increased from 60 to 65, about 15,000 individuals above the age of 60 had joined NPS. In a virtual conference, The PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) chairman Supratim Bandyopadhyay has also proposed that those who join after 60 be allowed to hold their NPS accounts till the age of 75. The maturity age will remain 70 for others.