NPS Tatkal on PhonePe and BHIM makes it easier for eligible users to open a National Pension System account through UPI, without following a lengthy paper-based registration process.
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) announced the facility on October 6, 2026, allowing users to begin saving for retirement through participating digital payment apps.
The facility is designed to simplify registration by using an existing KYC-verified bank account.
Eligible applicants can enter their details, select their bank account and make an initial contribution through UPI to complete the account-opening process.
NPS Tatkal on PhonePe and BHIM: How It Works
The NPS Tatkal facility provides a digital route to joining the National Pension System, a retirement savings scheme regulated by PFRDA.
It is intended to make the scheme more accessible to people who want to start saving for retirement without navigating a complicated registration process.
Under the new facility, applicants can use PhonePe or BHIM to begin registration.
The process uses details associated with their bank account and its KYC verification, reducing the amount of information they need to enter manually.
After successful verification and payment, applicants can receive their Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN), which identifies their NPS account.
The facility is available to eligible individuals aged 18 to 85 years, according to the announced guidelines.
How to Open an NPS Account in 3 Steps
Opening an NPS account through the Tatkal facility involves three basic steps.
Applicants should ensure they use a supported app and an eligible bank account before starting the process.
First, open the PhonePe or BHIM app and look for the NPS Tatkal facility.
Select the option to begin registration.
Next, enter the requested personal details and select the bank account to be used for the process.
The app will guide the applicant through the relevant verification requirements.
Finally, make the initial contribution through UPI. Once the necessary verification and payment are completed successfully, the account registration can proceed and the PRAN can be generated.
Applicants should follow the instructions displayed in the app, as the available options and eligibility checks may vary depending on the platform and participating bank.
Minimum Contribution and Eligible Banks
The minimum initial contribution depends on the type of NPS account being opened.
A new Tier I account requires a minimum contribution of Rs 500, while an existing Tier I subscriber opening a Tier II account needs to contribute at least Rs 250.
The Tier I account is the primary retirement savings account under NPS.
Tier II is a voluntary investment account available to eligible Tier I subscribers and has different withdrawal conditions.
For registration through BHIM, PFRDA has identified customers of six banks as eligible: State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank and IndusInd Bank.
Customers should confirm the availability of the service through their app and bank before proceeding.
The list of participating banks may differ across platforms, so users should not assume that every bank account is supported on both PhonePe and BHIM.
What Users Should Know Before Contributing
Opening an NPS account digitally does not remove the need to understand the scheme’s investment and withdrawal rules.
NPS is designed primarily for retirement planning, and the value of investments can fluctuate depending on the pension fund and investment choices selected.
The account-opening contribution is also different from the amount a subscriber may choose to invest over time.
Subscribers should consider their retirement goals, financial commitments and risk tolerance before deciding how much to contribute.
NPS also supports digital contributions through the D-Remit facility, which uses a virtual payment address linked to the subscriber’s account.
Under the applicable D-Remit process, UPI contributions are capped at Rs 2,000, including charges. Subscribers must activate the relevant facility and follow the payment instructions before making contributions through this route.
PFRDA aims to use the simplified registration process to expand access to retirement savings.
For eligible users, the availability of NPS Tatkal on digital payment apps offers another way to start planning for retirement without relying entirely on traditional account-opening channels.
