PFRDA introduces OTP based authentication for paperless NPS on boarding

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is mandated to promote old age income security i.e. pension in India and to protect the interests of subscribers of pension systems and schemes. As part of its developmental mandate and to increase the outreach of National Pension System (NPS), PFRDA has taken series of steps to ensure ease of NPS on boarding through various convenient modes. 

In its endeavor to provide digital solutions, PFRDA has already enabled opening of online NPS Account in a paperless manner through e- signature. In order to further facilitate ease of NPS Account opening, the subscribers are now permitted to open their NPS account through One Time Password (OTP) also.

In this process, the customers of banks (registered as POPs- Points of Presence), who wish to open NPS Account through internet banking of the respective banks, can open    NPS Accounts using OTP received on their registered mobile number.  

However, for opening of NPS Accounts through non internet banking digital mode, through POPs (Banks as well as Non - Bank POPs), OTP received on their registered mobile number and email can be used for paperless NPS Account opening.

Post completion of KYC, POPs have to submit the NPS Subscriber's data/information to Central Record Keeping Agencies (CRAs) along with his photo and image of signature with an undertaking that the KYC/AML guidelines/rules have been duly complied with.

POPs and CRAs have been advised by PFRDA to provide the required functionality of OTP based authentication. This process would ensure seamless account opening, end to end digitization and optimizing of investment returns by deposit of contributions in a faster way.

PFRDA administers more than 3.60 crore subscribers under National Pension System with an aggregate Asset under Management (AUM) of more than Rs. 4.55 lac crore. Out of total subscribers, 2.25 crore subscribers are under Atal Pension Yojana (APY).