The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has postponed the implementation of revised Point of Presence (PoP) charges for National Pension System (NPS) and NPS Lite subscribers. The new charges, initially scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026, will now be implemented from December 1, 2026.
According to the information provided, PFRDA announced the revised timeline through a circular dated October 26, 2026. The extension gives subscribers and service providers additional time to prepare for the changes. However, the postponement affects only the implementation date; the charge structure outlined in the earlier circular dated August 28, 2026, remains unchanged.
NPS PoP Charges: One-Time Registration Fee
Under the revised framework, subscribers opening an NPS account through a Point of Presence will be charged a one-time onboarding fee of ₹200 for each Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
Instead of deducting the entire amount at registration, the fee will be collected in instalments. According to the supplied details, ₹50 will be recovered each quarter by cancelling units held in the subscriber’s account.
The Central Recordkeeping Agencies (CRAs) will then transfer the collected amount to the relevant PoPs during the month following the quarter in which the subscriber was onboarded.
Annual NPS Maintenance Charge of 0.20% of AUM
The revised structure also provides for an annual charge of 0.20% of assets under management (AUM) for accounts that are not classified as dormant.
This fee will be adjusted against the net asset value (NAV) and paid to the relevant PoP quarterly. Rather than being collected as a separate lump-sum bill, the charge will be reflected through adjustments to the investment’s NAV.
The actual effect on an individual subscriber will depend on the amount invested and the applicable rules.
Will Dormant NPS Accounts Be Charged?
According to the supplied information, dormant NPS accounts will be exempt from these PoP charges. The account’s status is determined under the prescribed rules, with accounts held across different CRAs considered using the subscriber’s PAN.
An account may be classified as dormant at the end of a quarter if no further contributions are made for four consecutive quarters after a contribution was recorded in an earlier quarter.
Subscribers should confirm their account status with the relevant CRA or PoP before assuming that an account qualifies for the exemption.
Minimum NPS Contribution and What Subscribers Should Do
The circular details provided also specify minimum contribution amounts for NPS accounts. A minimum contribution of ₹250 is required when opening an account, while subsequent contributions can be as low as ₹10.
These contribution requirements are separate from the PoP fee structure. Whether a charge applies depends on the relevant provisions and the account’s status.
With the revised charges scheduled to begin on December 1, 2026, NPS and NPS Lite subscribers should review their registration details, contribution history and account status. Anyone uncertain about the applicable fees should contact their PoP or consult the official PFRDA website at https://www.pfrda.org.in/.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and is based on the information provided. The implementation date, charges, exemptions and contribution requirements should be verified against the latest official PFRDA circulars and applicable NPS rules before making financial decisions. Individual charges may vary according to account status and the relevant regulations.