You can open an individual National Pension System (NPS) Tier I account through the eNPS platform or a PFRDA-registered Point of Presence (PoP). To get your Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN), choose the route that fits you, provide the required KYC details, make the initial contribution requested, and complete any eSign or physical-form follow-up shown for your application. Protean CRA says an online PRAN is generated after registration and payment; the precise requirements depend on your KYC route and applicant status.
Who can use the NPS All Citizen Model?
This guide covers the NPS All Citizen Model, not enrolment through an employer or government nodal office. PFRDA lists Indian citizens, resident or non-resident, and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) aged 18 to 85 as eligible, subject to KYC requirements and legal competence. Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) are not eligible under this model. An individual account cannot be opened on someone else’s behalf. Check the PFRDA All Citizen Model information for current eligibility details.
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If you are already covered through a government-sector employer or nodal office, follow that sector’s enrolment process instead of applying as an All Citizen subscriber.
Choose where to register: eNPS or a registered PoP
The two official channels are self-service registration through NPS Trust’s eNPS platform and registration through a PFRDA-registered Point of Presence. A PoP can provide registration and KYC support, accept applications online or physically, and serve as a contact for account services and contributions.
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| Route | What to expect | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| eNPS | Complete the application online, provide the documents and details requested for your selected KYC route, and make the initial contribution through the offered payment flow. | Complete eSign if offered and available for your application, or follow the portal’s physical-form instructions. |
| Registered PoP | Apply through a PFRDA-registered provider, online or in person; the PoP can assist with registration and KYC. | Follow the instructions given for the application and retain your PRAN and confirmation. |
Neither channel is the best choice for every applicant: the practical difference is self-service versus assisted processing. Current steps and options can change, so start from the official Protean CRA subscriber FAQ or a registered PoP and use the instructions displayed for your application.
What documents and details should you prepare?
For resident individuals, PFRDA lists a recent photograph, PAN, and proof of address. The current registration form supplies the accepted proof list, and the KYC route you select may require additional information or uploads. Check the live form for file formats and other requirements rather than assuming every route asks for the same documents.
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If you apply using PAN
Protean’s PAN-based online instructions say KYC verification is performed by the bank or non-bank PoP selected in the application. You need a bank, demat, or folio relationship with an empanelled bank or non-bank PoP for this verification. Enter your name and address exactly as they appear in that provider’s records; a mismatch can lead to rejection. If verification is rejected, the CRA directs applicants to contact the selected PoP. Review the PAN-based NPS registration instructions.
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Use the process and document checklist applicable to your status, not the resident checklist. PFRDA lists a photograph, PAN, Indian passport, proof of address in India, and NRE/NRO account proof for an NRI. For an OCI, its listed documents are a photograph, PAN, OCI card, foreign address proof, and NRE/NRO bank proof. Protean’s PAN-based instructions also call for NRE/NRO details and a passport upload for NRI applicants. Confirm the live form’s current requirements before submitting.
How do I open an NPS account and get a PRAN?
- Confirm that the All Citizen route applies. Check the age and eligibility rules above. If your NPS enrolment is managed through a government-sector employer or nodal office, use that process.
- Select eNPS or a registered PoP. Choose online self-service or a provider that can support your registration and KYC. Use the official Protean online NPS joining steps as a starting point for the online route.
- Gather your KYC information and documents. Prepare the documents required for your residency and applicant status. For PAN-based verification, make sure your application’s name and address match the selected PoP’s records.
- Complete the application and verification. Follow the current form for the route offered, such as Aadhaar- or PAN-based registration where available. Fill in mandatory details and complete the requested KYC checks. Do not assume that different KYC routes have identical fields or requirements.
- Make the initial contribution and complete the follow-up. Pay the amount requested through the application’s payment flow. Protean says the PRAN is generated online after registration and payment. Then complete eSign if the option is offered and successfully completed, or follow the application’s print-and-courier or other physical-form instructions. Save the PRAN and confirmation.
Does every application finish online?
No. Protean’s instructions describe eSign as a way to complete registration without sending a physical copy when that option is available and completed successfully. Some PAN-based instructions also describe printing and couriering a form after PRAN allotment. The follow-up depends on the route and options shown in your application, so check for any stated deadline and complete the specific instruction attached to your registration.
The official enrolment material does not establish one guaranteed end-to-end processing time for all eNPS and PoP applications. Avoid relying on a promised completion date unless the portal or your PoP gives one for your case.
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Is Tier II required to get a PRAN?
No. Tier I is the individual pension account and is the account-opening focus here. Tier II is optional and is available only when you have an active Tier I account. PFRDA describes Tier I withdrawals as subject to NPS exit and withdrawal regulations; Tier II withdrawals are not restricted in the same way, and Tier II is not eligible for tax benefits. You do not need Tier II to obtain a PRAN.
What changed for non-government subscribers in 2025?
PFRDA’s All Citizen Model page states that, from 1 October 2025, non-government subscribers can invest in multiple schemes using a single or multiple PRAN linked to their PAN. This is a scheme-investment arrangement, not a replacement for the account-registration and verification steps.
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