The Indian Government announced the National Pension Scheme to create retirement funds for all Indian citizens and provide social security in old age.
Any Indian Citizen employee from the public, private and unorganized sectors can apply for this scheme.
An individual from the armed forces cannot avail of the benefits of the National Pension Scheme.
In earlier years, this scheme was available only for government employees. But, now the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has made the National Pension Scheme (NPS) available for everyone.
Every NPS account holder will be allotted a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) for security and accessibility of their pension account.
This article discusses the concept, application procedure, eligible criteria, status checking, required documents, and getting a PRAN Number.
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Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN)
Permanent Retirement Account Number is a 12-digit numerical code given to each person registered under the National Pension Scheme (NPS).
Each NPS subscriber must have a PRAN number as it secures and distinguishes the identity of each National Pension Scheme subscriber.
It protects NPS systems from overlapping data and the names of account holders.
Allotted PRAN cannot be changed for the rest of your life.
An NPS account holder can ask for a physical copy of their PRAN on a PRAN card.
All NPS account holders can check their NPS account balance status from India through the PRAN number.
There are two accounts categories held under Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN):
1. Tier I Account:
This account does not allow you to withdraw your retirement savings money during your employment.
You can withdraw money only after your retirement.
2. Tier II Account:
You can withdraw money voluntarily during your employment through this account.
This account does not provide tax benefits.
Every central and state government employee with an NPS subscription must have PRAN.
Application Process of PRAN:
Central Record-Keeping agency, i.e., National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) portal, is launched to operate PRAN applications.
Therefore, an applicant must apply for PRAN through the NSDL portal.
An Applicant needs to fill out the downloaded form.
After filling in all the details and downloading an application, an applicant needs to submit an application form with required documents to the point of Presence-Service Providers (POP-SP), which are generally banks.
From this, POPs operate the further process of all NPS-related activities.
These activities are accepting deposits, forwarding applications related to transfer of NPS account, partial withdrawal applications, nomination change applications.
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Details of Online Application Process for PRAN:
There are five key sections where a subscriber needs to fill in their details. The following information should be filled with the filled application for PRAN registration:
Section A – Personal details of a subscriber.
Section B – Employment details.
Section C – Nomination details of the subscriber
Section D – Scheme details.
Section E – Declaration of T-PIN and I-PIN.
The Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) will fill in Section B details. The rest of the details need to be filled in by the subscriber.
For Individual who wants to Have Both Tier I and Tier II Account:
An NPS account holder will need to submit valid KYC documents.
Suppose an individual has an active Tier I account and wants to open a Tier II account. In that case, they are required to submit a copy of the Tier I PRAN card attached to the Tier II activation form.
Corporate Individual:
An NPS corporate subscriber must submit CS-S1 from to the corporate office.
An individual must have a minimum of Rs. 500 to a maximum of Rs.1,000 in their NPS account while applying for a Tier I account.
How to Apply Online for a PRAN Number?
You can apply for a PRAN card online, by Aadhaar card and Permanent Account Number (PAN)
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PRAN Online Application Process Using Aadhaar Card:
Step 1: Go to the official website of NSDL https://nsdl.co.in/
Step 2: Select the National Pension System link
Step 3: Click on the ‘Registration’ option in the dialogue box displayed on the screen.
Step 4: Further, click on the ‘Register with Aadhaar Offline e-KYC’.
Step 5: You will receive a registered mobile number linked to an Aadhaar card.
Step 6: Your photo and demographic details will be displayed on the screen and transferred in the online form.
Step 7: Fill in all details
Step 8: Upload the signature in *.JPEG and *.JPG format photo. The file size should be between 4kb and 12kb.
Step 9: If you wish, you can upload a new photo.
Step 10: Now, you will be redirected to the payment gateway. Choose the payment option and make payment.
Application Process by Using Permanent Account Number (PAN)
Step 1: Go to the official website of NSDL https://nsdl.co.in/
Step 2: Select the National Pension System link
Step 3: Click on the ‘Registration’ option in the dialogue box displayed on the screen.
Step 4: Further, click on the ‘ Register with Permanent Account Number’ and complete the KYC process.
Note: Your bank account must be an NPS authorized bank for KYC verification.
Your personal information on the KYC document should be similar to the bank records. In case they are mismatched, your application will be rejected.
Step 5: Fill in all the information and upload a signature and photo.
Step 6: Make the payment.
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Offline Application Process of PRAN
Suppose an individual doesn’t have access to the internet or wishes to apply offline for PRAN. In that case, they need to follow the following steps to apply.
Step 1: Visit any nearby NPS point of presence-service providers or visit the official website of NSDL.
Step 2: Fill in the application form with your details, photograph, and signature. Attach KYC documents.
Step 3: NPS point of presence- service providers will give you a PRAN application number at submission.
Further, it will be addressed to the Central Recordkeeping Agency -NSDL.
Eligibility Criteria For Getting a PRAN Card:
Any employed individual between 18 to 60 years is eligible to apply for a Permanent Retirement Account Number.
The individuals who pay tax, i.e., registered with the Drawing and Disbursing Office (DDO), should be National Pension Scheme account holders.
Mandetory Documents for PRAN:
- Personal and employment details.
- Bank details are also compulsory. In case an applicant does not provide bank account details. They can make a declaration for submitting them within six months.
Optional Documents for PRAN:
- PAN Card.
- Nomination and Scheme preference.
- Suppose an applicant does not choose their scheme preference. In that case, their contribution will be considered in the default scheme held by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
Application Process of PRAN for NRIs
Follow the following steps to apply for a PRAN number for NRIs:
Step 1: Collect the NRI NPS Application from PFRDA, NPS Trust website, or authorized bank.
Step 2: Fill in all the mandatory details.
Step 3: Submit the filled application form to the NRI Bank Branch in India
Step 4: Your NRE/NRO bank account details will be verified. After the verification, your application will be sent to the Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA).
Step 5: Complete the payment.
Step 6: CRA will give you a PRAN number.
Step 7: You will receive an email or SMS regarding the PRAN number.
How to Check PRAN Card Status?
If you have subscribed to an NPS account, you will receive the PRAN via post within 20 days of application.
You can check PRAN card status by following the given steps:
Step 1: Go to the official website of NSDL https://cra-nsdl.com/CRA/pranCardStatusInput.do
Step 2: Select the ‘New Registered PRAN’ option.
Step 3: Further, enter the PRAN number and captcha, click on the submit button.
Step 4: The status of the PRAN number will be displayed on the screen.
What is the Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA)?
The Government of India appointed the Central Recordkeeping Agency to operate all the accounts under the National Pension Scheme.
CRA provides an NPS account holder with the 12 digit I-pin and T-pin to access PRAN accounts on their website https://cra-nsdl.com/CRA/
You can check your PRAN account status by entering a 12 digit pin.
How Can I Contribute to an NPS Account?
Suppose you are a subscriber of the National Pension Scheme and have a PRAN number. In that case, you can contribute to an NPS account by following the given steps.
Step 1: Visit the NSDL website https://enps.nsdl.com
Step 2: You will receive an OTP to verify your PRAN number.
Step 3: After verification, you can contribute to Tier I and Tier II NPS accounts through online net banking.
Conclusion:
The Indian Government has launched the National Pension Scheme for every citizen of India. Individuals can seek social-economical security through this scheme, especially in their old age. To avail benefits of this scheme, you must get a PRAN number. This article has discussed the application process of the PRAN number and how to get it.