PRAN Card Details

PRAN, the Permanent Retirement Account Number was introduced in 2004, when the central government launched a national pension scheme . It was launched to encourage employees from the unorganized sector to build savings. Eligibility criteria for permanent retirement account numbers are simple, anyone who is between 18 years and 60 years, can apply.

• This scheme entails a co-contributory pension, wherein the government contributes Rs. 1,000 to every eligible NPS subscriber, who in turn contributes a minimum of Rs. 1,000 to maximum Rs. 12,000 per annum.
• Subscribers of NPS must have a PRAN, where the relevant savings reflect.
• It is one of the government schemes, essentially for the central administration employees admitted after 1 Jan 2004. But now it is available for all citizens. These employees automatically enrol in the National Pension system where they are offered a PRAN.

Note: All NPS subscribers must possess a PRAN card. Investment in NPS is not dependent on your contribution to any Provident Fund.

In the below-given post, we will discuss CRA NSDL, PRAN registration, how to apply online and offline, required documents, activate PRAN, types of PRAN cards, application form details, generating PRAN and its notifications, log in to the portal, update PRAN, and check its status, how to print the card, check PRAN balance, and FAQs.

CRA (Central Record Keeping Agency) NSDL

CRA maintains all records of NSDL subscribers. Thus, it is known as the record-maintaining agency of NSDL. It also undertakes customer service and administration-related tasks for the subscribers under the NPS-Lite.

Registration of a Permanent Retirement Account Number

You can get PRAN registered on National Securities Depository Limited(NDSL). You can register for a PRAN card online on the official website of NDSL by downloading and filling up the form. Further, these applications are yielded to their respective administration officer who transferred the application to Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA).

• Only the subscribers registered with CRA and Drawing and Disbursing Office (DDO) can get the PRAN. They require firstly registering with CRA and then with DDO.
• Anyone within the age of 18-60 can apply for the same.
• The POP-SP sends the application to CRA to generate the PRAN.
• In case the information is incomplete, CRA may reject the application and then inform POP-SP about it.

How to Apply for PRAN Card Online?

You can apply for a PRAN Card at the Karvy or NSDL website. You will find CRAs that maintain and open NPS accounts across the country. Through the internet portal, you can use Aadhaar Card or PAN Card details to apply for the said document.

Apply with Aadhaar Card:

• You can use the Aadhaar OTP authentication system to complete the NPS KYC
• You will receive the one-time password on the mobile number registered with the Aadhaar database
• On the online form, the photograph and demographic details will automatically surface. The information is fetched from the Aadhaar database
• Now proceed to fill up all the sections marked as mandatory in the online form.
• You must upload the scanned signature in .jpg/jpeg format. The size of the file must be between 4kb and 12kb during registration
• You can also upload a scanned photograph instead if you want the Aadhaar photograph replaced
• Then you will be redirected to the payment gateway. Here you have to pay through internet banking/debit card/credit card for the NPS account

Apply with PAN Details:

• You must have a bank account with updated KYC to register through eNPS. The bank must be the one that allows such a service
• The bank you select will complete the KYC verification during the registration
• The details of name and address must match with that in your bank records for KYC identification
• If there is a mismatch in details, then your request can be rejected. If the KYC is rejected by the chosen bank, then you must get in touch with the bank
• Provide all the mandatory details as asked in the form
• Upload a scanned copy of your signature in .jpg/jpeg format with a file size between 4kb and 12kb
• Then you will be redirected to the payment gateway where you have to pay for the NPS account through internet banking

Apply for an NRI PRAN Card

Non-resident subscribers can also apply for a PRAN Card in the following ways:

• Choose the bank account status i.e., Repatriable account or non-repatriable account
• Enter the details of the NRE/NRO account
• Upload a copy of the scanned Passport
• Choose the communication address – Permanent Address in India or Overseas Address (extra charges will apply in this case)

How to Apply for PRAN Offline?

If you do not access to the internet, then follow the offline procedure for the PRAN application:

• You can get the PRAN application form at any NPS service provider or download it from the NSDL portal
• On the form, fill in the required details. You will have to enter your details, provide a signature, affix a photograph
• Now attach the KYC documents to the form to prove your address and identity. Some of the accepted documents include Passport, Aadhaar, Driver’s Licence, etc.
• You will receive the PRAN application number after submitted the completed and signed application form to the NPS provider
• You need to send the form to address – Central Recordkeeping Agency - NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited, 1st Floor, Times Tower, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai – 400 013
• Submit the NCIS (instruction slip for initial payment details) for registration along with Rs. 500 contribution.
• You can call on 022-40904242 to enquire about the PRAN card application and track its status

Documents Required for PRAN Card

The documents required for permanent retirement account number are mentioned as follows:

• Scanned copy of photograph bearing signature of the subscriber. This picture must be in .jpg/.jpeg format of 4kb to 12kb file size
• Aadhaar card
• A photocopy of the address proof. This address must be the one where the subscriber is residing presently.
• Permanent Account Number (PAN card) issued by the Income-tax department.
• Credit card, debit card, and internet banking information and details to make payments online or on the internet.
• A bank account that is held in a bank authorized by the NSDL. In case the applicant does not have a bank account in an NSDL recognized bank, then he/she can apply offline for this card.

Activating Your PRAN Card

The quickest way to activate your PRAN card is to electronically sign it with the eSign option. This option is available if you have generated a PRAN with the help of Aadhaar. Here is how you can do so:

• Choose the ‘eSign’ option from the page to eSign/Print & Courier
• Now a new page will open for OTP generate to activate the card
• You will receive the one-time password on the mobile number registered with Aadhaar
• Registration is successful after the authentication process
• The eSign service comes at a nominal charge of Rs. 5 + applicable tax
• The document will be eSigned and you will receive a confirmation message for the same
• After eSigning PRAN, you will not have to send the hardcopy of the form to the CRA for the activation process

Types of PRAN Cards

As a subscriber, you will be provided a unique 12-digit Permanent Retirement Benefit Number. One of the benefits of a permanent retirement account number is that it is valid for a lifetime and accessible from any location in India. Below-given are the types of accounts that you can hold under PRAN.

• Tier I Account: You cannot withdraw funds from this account until retirement. It is specially meant for retirement savings.
• Tier II Account: It is meant for a voluntary savings facility and you can withdraw savings from this type of account, whenever you want to. However, no tax benefit is available on this account.

If you wish to open a Tier I or Tier II account, then duly fill, sign, and submit the form with supporting KYC documents. If you want to open a Tier II account but have an active Tier I account as well, then you can file a copy of the Tier I PRAN card with the Tier II activation form.

If you are a subscriber from the corporate sector, then fill the Form CS-S1 and submit it to the corporate office. In this case, the minimum contribution at the time of opening a Tier I account should be Rs. 500, while the amount should be Rs. 1,000 in case of a Tier II account.

PRAN Card Application Form Details

There are 5 sections you have to fill up when applying for a PRAN Card online.

• You need to fill in the Personal information of the subscriber, Employment details, Nomination particulars of the customer, scheme specifics, and declaration of T-PIN and I-PIN along with the application.
• Other obligatory facts to be given include Personal information, employment details, and bank details.
• However, if you do not have a bank account, you can make a declaration saying the same would be provided within 6 months.
• There are furthermore optional requirements like PAN card information, scheme preference, etc.
• You have to fill in these details during the registration itself. If you do not choose your plan, the default scheme will be applicable. The plan is held by PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority).

Thus, PRAN is one of the essential components of savings for the government employees for a secure future.

Can You Generate More than One PRAN at a Time?

It is not possible to hold more than one PRAN card, but only one because the NPS account is completely portable. When you change employment or employers, you do not have to open a new NPS account, but only have to move the existing account to the new employer. The NPS account cannot be closed even if you become unemployed. But at present Atal Pension Yojana and NPS are not integrated, thus if you have both these accounts, then you may have multiple PRAN numbers.

Notifications on PRAN Generations

When your Permanent Retirement Account Number is generated, you will receive an alert by email and through SMS. The SMS and email will be sent on the registered mobile number and email ID with the CRA. For security reasons, only the last four digits of your account number will be disclosed on all communications.

Login to PRAN Card Portal for NPS

To login to your NPS account online, use the number printed on the PRAN Card. Here are the steps to login:

• Visit the NPS portal to login, and click ‘Login with PRAN/IPIN’
• In the section for subscribers, fill out details such as user id, password
• Enter the captcha and submit

Update PRAN Details

You must ensure that information is the latest in your PRAN Card. So, if you change your residence, mobile number, or email address then you must update the details as soon as possible. Follow the details below for updating:

• Fill the form S2 to update the PRAN details
• You can download the form here
• Enter the details as asked in the form
• Attach the required documents
• Submit the completed form to the Administrative/Nodal officer

How to Check PRAN Status?

The PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number) card was introduced after the inception of NPS (National Pension Scheme) in 2004 by the government of India. NPS is mandatory for all state and central government employees to create savings for the future. One needs to log on to the NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) website to download the form for applying online.

After this process, an amount of Rs. 50 has to be paid to download the copy. A photograph of the subscriber then has to be pasted on the form, which is posted to Central Recordkeeping Agency. After this process, one can check the PRAN status by following the below-mentioned methods:

• Log in to the official website of NSDL on this link: https://cra-nsdl.com/CRA/pranCardStatusInput.do
• Select the option ‘new registered PRAN’.
• Now provide the PRAN number allotted during the application process.
• Enter the captcha code and click, ‘submit’.
• A page will reveal the PRAN card application status.
• In case you are unable to check the PRAN number status online, you can send an inquiry on eNPS@nsdl.co.in or call on 022 – 4090 4242.

Printing PRAN Card

Here are steps to print PRAN Card:

• From eSign/Print & Courier page, choose ‘Print & Courier’
• Take out the printout of the completed form
• Now at the designated space, affix your photograph
• Avoid pins and staple pin to put the photograph
• In the designated blocks, provide your signature
• After allotment of PRAN, send the completed application form with photograph to the Karvy/NSDL (CRA) in 90 days of the allotment
• You can also login to your NPS account and print the ePRAN (electronic PRAN)
• Select the ‘Print ePRAN’ option to take the printout
• It is free-of-cost to take ePRAN printout
• But applicable charges + GST apply to get the physical PRAN card printout that you will receive at your registered address

Check PRAN Card Balance

If you login to the National Pension System account, then you can check the PRAN Card balance. As PRAN is issued to NPS subscribers, a balance check facility is easily available. You can check the balance for Tier 1 and Tier 2 accounts under the NPS pension scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions About PRAN Card

Below-given are FAQs regarding PRAN.