How to Apply for PRAN Card Online?

The government of India launched the NPS (National Pension System) in 2004 to help the government employees invest and save for their future. Under the scheme, the government employees could make voluntary contributions towards their pension fund during the working and create a corpus and use the same to meet post-retirement expenses. Initially, the NPS was limited only to the central and state government employees, but in 2009 it was opened to all sectors, including the employees from the unorganised sectors.As an NPS subscriber, you can make periodic deposits in your pension fund account and earn market-linked returns. Such returns accumulate into a substantial corpus, which you can utilise after retirement. But, to subscribe to NPS, one of the pre-requisites you must meet is to have a PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number), against which you will be issued a PRAN card.

The PRAN is a 12-digit number allotted to all NPS subscribers. As an NPS subscriber, you can have only one PRAN at a time, and it is valid for lifetime. You can use this number to access the details of your NPS subscription at any time and from anywhere.

As an NPS subscriber, you open a Permanent Retirement Account online by visiting the NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) official website. It is the NPS-registered CRA and acts as a portal for all your NPS account-related activities.There are two ways to PRAN card apply online. You can either apply using your PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card or Aadhaar Card. The step-by-step process for both methods are discussed below:

PRAN card apply online using PAN card

• To apply for PRAN with PAN, you must have a bank account with one of the empanelled banks for KYC verification.
• The name and address you provide during the NPS registration should match the name and address as per the bank records.
• You must fill in all the details in the PRAN application form; don’t leave any field empty.
• Once you duly fill the form, upload a scanned copy of the PAN card and a cancelled cheque.
• Also, upload your digital signature and a passport-sized photograph. Make sure that you keep these handy before starting the PRAN application process.
• Once you upload the documents and submit the form, you will be redirected to a payment portal to pay your first contribution towards your NPS account.

PRAN card apply online using Aadhaar card

Under this method, the steps are similar to those mentioned above; you must visit the NSDL website for registration. If you apply for a PRAN with an Aadhaar Card, the only difference is that the KYC verification is done through an OTP (One-time Password). The OTP is sent to your mobile number recorded in the Aadhaar database.Once you verify the OTP, all the details recorded in your Aadhar database are auto-populated in the online form. Make sure that you verify the details carefully and then upload the scanned signature. Once you submit the form, you will be redirected to the payment portal. And, once you complete the payment, the registration will be completed.

Typically, the authorities dispatch the PRAN card to the respective nodal office within 20 working days from the date or receiving the registration form. And, you can contact the nearest nodal office to know about the PRAN card application status.Alternatively, you can also track the PRAN card application status online through the NSDL website. Enter the PRAN number and the captcha under ‘track PRAN status’ tab, and you can see the application status displayed on the screen.

The easiest way to activate your PRAN card is to opt for the eSign option during the PRAN application process. And, if you have applied for PRAN card with Aadhaar card, you can activate the card through the following steps:

1. Choose the ‘eSign option from the ‘eSign/Print and Courier’ page.
2. You will receive an OTP on the registered mobile number.
3. Enter the OTP to finish the PRAN card activation process.

Once you get your PRAN card's physical/digital copy and your card is activated, make sure that you keep the card safe and secure. It is an important document that you may need for all your NPS-related transactions, especially during withdrawal of funds, or premature exit from the scheme.

The information contained herein is generic in nature and is meant for educational purposes only. Nothing here is to be construed as an investment or financial or taxation advice nor to be considered as an invitation or solicitation or advertisement for any financial product. Readers are advised to exercise discretion and should seek independent professional advice prior to making any investment decision in relation to any financial product. Aditya Birla Capital Group is not liable for any decision arising out of the use of this information.