NPS Functionalities by CRAs in FY 2019-20 – (i) NPS Regular(ii) eNPS and (iii) NPS-Lite/APY

NPS Functionalities released by CRAs in FY 2019-20 – (i) NPS Regular(ii) eNPS and (iii) NPS-Lite/APY CIRCULAR CIR No.: PFRDA/2020/19/SUP-CRA/8

NPS Functionalities released by CRAs in FY 2019-20 – (i) NPS Regular(ii) eNPS and (iii) NPS-Lite/APY

PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Qutub Institutional Area,

Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi-110016

CIRCULAR

CIR No.: PFRDA/2020/19/SUP-CRA/8

Date: May 29, 2020

 To

All stakeholders under NPS

     Subject: NPS Functionalities released by CRAs in FY 2019-20

Central Record Keeping Agencies (CRAs) appointed by PFRDA develop system level functionalities as per the evolving needs of NPS stakeholders in accordance with Sec 21 of PFRDA ACT 2013.

CRAs have the responsibility to develop various new functionalities or utilities and establish new processes, provide multiple models of interface for the uploading offices to provide maximum flexibility in terms of operation and for the benefits of the subscriber as an ongoing exercise to fulfill the obligations.

View: 

The functionalities developed and made available by both CRAs (Refer Annexure I & II) for F.Y. 2019-20 are categorized as follows –

(i) NPS Regular
(ii) eNPS
(iii) NPS – Lite/ APY

The circular is placed in the intermediary section of CRA on PFRDA website.

(K. Mohan Gandhi)

General Manager

Annexure I – Functionalities released by NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Ltd.

Sr.No.	Module	Usage of Functionality
NPS Regular
1	Activation / Deactivation of PRAN	As per the State Govt. requirement, nowa) reactivation of PRAN can be done by any Nodal Office even if the deactivation request was not raised by the same Nodal Office.b) This will be allowed only for the entities from same State Government and implemented only for State Govt. Sector.
2	Corporate Subscriber	Earlier, Corporates were required to certify their underlying Subscribers association in Subscriber Registration Form . Now, feature has been enabled where Corporates can confirm their Subscriber association online for Subscribers registered through POP or through submission of physical form fo CRA-FC. This option would be available to those Corporates who opt for online confirmation of their Employees.
3	ASP selection crieteria	nnuity Service Providers (ASP), UC and SBI have changed their eligibility criteria for Subscribers for purchase of annuity under NPS. Accordingly, the changes have been executed for minimum corpus and age requirement for selection of ASP, at he time of initiation of withdrawal request in Online Exit Module of CRA. 1) The corpus requirement for selection of UC -ASP has been changed from Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 50, 000. ( Released on May 03, 2019) 2) The Corpus requirement for SBI-ASP has been changed ‘rom Rs. 2,40,000 to Rs. 50,000. SBI has also reduced the minimum age requirement from 40 years to 18 years. (released on July 12, 2019)
4	Annuity calculator	New ASP ‘India First Life Insurance Co. Ltd’ has been be added in the CRA system and also in Annuity calculator.
5	PRAN Search	At present, Subscriber search by State Government Offices is based on PPAN and PRAN. Existing search option of PRAN will include additional search criteria with Subscriber Name and Date of Birth. (This feature is now enabled for CRA user and will then be extended to Nodal Offices login)
6	RA Registration	The Retirement Adviser (RA) is appointed by PFRDA to engage in the activity of providing advice on NPS and thereby to extend the reach of NPS. The online platform has been developed and released in the CRA system to facilitate registration of RAs. Now, PAN based RA registration has been enabled for Individual Retirement Advisers in the RA module. As per Regulatory guidelines for usage of Aadhaar, the existing option of Aadhaar based RA Registration was disabled since December 1, 2018.
7	Subscriber Modification	As part of NPS servicing, the associated Nodal Offices (PAO level) carry out various Subscriber Account Maintenance!Activities in the CRA system. Now, subscriber details modification has been enabled for ODO users in Govt. sector. rrhe details changed by ODO will have to be mandatorily authorised bv maooed Nodal Office.
		Now, functionality has been developed wherein Subscribers registered without photograph and signature and with mobile number registered in CRA System have an option to upload photograph & signature directly in the CRA system using login credentials and, subsequently e-Sign Subscriber Registration Form. In this regard, the Subscriber is required to access the CRA system and upload photograph & signature through ‘Update Details’ Menu. The functionality is released for All Citizen & Corporate Subscribers.
		At present, Corporates who have opted for onJine “Corporate’s employee confirmation” facility confirm their employee association in the CRA system for Subscribers registered in CRA. Now, these Corporates will have facility to modify/update the Subscriber details of the associated Subscribers. Subscriber details modification functionality by Corporate is similar to current functional ity available with POPs to modify/update the Subscriber details.
		Various value-added services have been provided in the CRA system to enrich the experience of Subscribers. Most of the online services (such as contact details, scheme preference change, Statement view etc.) have facilitated Subscribers to execute different service requests under NPS by themselves, instead of approaching the Nodal Offices/Point of Presence (POP) for execution of these service requests. Also, Subscribers can approach the PoP for execution of these services. Now the CRA system has been enhanced to allow all he mapped POP-SPs of POP to process the account maintenance activities.
		Subscriber can now update FORM 60 online by login to CRA system. The Subscriber is required to select the option ‘Personal details update’ under ‘Demographic changes’ menu to update Form 60. Form 60 is mandatory document to be provided by Subscriber in case PAN details are not available.
8	Subscriber Registration	Soundex facility available in CRA checks for duplicity of PRAN details i.e PAN and Passport details. Changes has been carried out, where Soundex system will not check/match details of newly registered Subscribers with already registered PRANs with deactivated status.
		OCI (Overseas citizen of India) Subscribers can also register under NPS Private Sector (All Citizen model and Corporate sector). This facility is extended through POPs with file upload option to register OCI Subscribers. The OCI Subscriber should have valid documents such as OCI card and existing foreign address proof & other details to register in NPS.
9	Bank details Modification for ERM	At the time of execution of Error Rectification Module (ERM) request, Nodal Offices have an option to update their Bank details where funds need to be transferred . The Bank details will be captured and verified at PAO/OTO level and PrAO/DTA Will carry out the authorization request. As per recen guidelines issued by PFRDA, the option of capturing Bank account details and immediately processing of any redemption in such Bank accounts will not be allowed, and, a gestation period of 30 days will be mandatory for any redemption processing. The bank details need to be registered in the CRA system and the same will be pre-populated as non-editable field while executing ERM requests by Nodal Office.
10	NPS Contribution	Feature has been enabled to facilitate the Subscribers registered in Private sector to contribute in NPS scheme upto the age of 70 years. The Subscribers who have not initiated the withdrawal request after reaching the age 60 years will be automatically flagged for continuation and can contribute upto the age of 70 years. In case, Subscriber wishes to exit from NPS, he/she may raise online exit request any time or approach POP for the same.
	‘	As per Ministry of Finance Gazette Notification dated January 31, 2019, Central Govt. NPS contribution increased from 10% to 14% (of Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance) . Accordingly, feature was enabled for Central Govt. Subscriber in the CRA system wherein Nodal Offices can upload unequal contribution. However, there will be validation that either of the contribution i.e. (Government or employee) cannot be zero and Govt. contribution cannot be less than employee contribution. Now, feature has been enabled for , 1. State Govt. of Uttar Pradesh employees (released date :IApril 30, 2019)2. State Govt. of Himachal Pradesh employees (released date: May 10, 2019)3. Central Autonomous Bodies (released date: June 29, 2019) Government Subscribers receive equal contribution (i.e 10% of basic+DA) as part of Employer and Employee contribution in NPS. As per new directive of Government of India, all Central Government Subscribers will receive additional 4 % 01 Government Contribution from April 01, 2020, with this, the Central Government employees will receive 14% as Government contribution. Under NPS, Subscribers can shift from one sector to other sector i.e. from Central Govt. to State Govt. or Private Sector and vice-versa . In view of this, a functionality is available for Nodal Offices to upload Contribution for shifted Subscribers. However, this functionality has a validation of equal contribution from Employer and Employee. Now, to facilitate offices to upload 14% Govt contribution, the validation of equal contribution is removed and Nodal Offices are allowed to upload unequal contribution for Shifted Subscribers. This unctionality is enabled for Central and State Govt. Offices. The State Government can use this facility only if they have opted or 14% as Employer contribution.
11	Transaction Statement ‘	n online Transaction Statement is available in CRA login for view to Subscriber/Nodal Offices/Other entities. The statement displays the details of contributions credited in Subscriber account with its current valuation & NAV details. Transaction Statement also displays XIRR value as on date. XIRR shows the percentage returns on the total contribution made in the account. In addition, to currently available XIRR return, a new XIRR calculation will also be displayed to Subscriber/Nodal Offices. This will provide the percentage returns on the contribution made during the financial year.
		Changes incorporated in footnotes of Transaction – A statement with respect to change in the allocation ratio o unds between the three PFMs – SBI, UTI and UC after reviewing performance of these PFMs. This activity is carried
		on an annual basis for Central and State Government scheme allocation as per directives received by NPS Trust. The percentage allocation (contribution remitted by the PAOs/CDDOs) towards all the three PFMs i.e SBl,UTl,LIC has been changed.
12	Reset of Password	Hyperlink containing information of ‘steps/process to reset password’ is provided to Subscriber and Nodal Offices/other Intermediaries while selecting ‘Reset password’ option available on login page of CRA, NPSCAN and NPS Lite /APY website.
13	Withdrawal	Exit management process has been reviewed and made more interactive in form of SMS alerts sent to Subscribers at each level of processing of the Withdrawal requests.Alerts are being sent to Subscribers in all type of withdrawal request and after each steps such as initiation of withdrawal request, authorization/rejection of request, authorized request sent for annuity selection as per selection made by Subscriber etc.
		In Online Exit Module of CRA, the Subscriber/Nodal Office was required to select ” Advanced Stamp Receipt” as part o documents to be submitted. Now, the “Advanced Stamp Receipt” has been made optional for all Superannuation/Pre­ mature withdrawal requests.
		Subscribers have an option to initiate conditional withdrawal request online or Nodal office can initiate the request on behal of Subscriber. The request remains pending in CRA system till he request is authorized by the associated Nodal Office. As per PFRDA guidelines, if the conditional withdrawal request is pending for more than 45 days, the same needs to be cancelled in the CRA system. Now, feature is enabled for auto cancellation of request if is pending for more than 45 days. On auto cancellation of request, SMS and Email alert is sent to Subscriber with details of cancellation of request. Earlier, such requests were being handled manually by CRA.
		The Withdrawal from NPS is a mult-istep process where in,the Subscriber/Nodal Office has to raise an online withdrawal request in the CRA system by selecting the relevant type o1 withdrawal. The request is then required to be authorised by ‘he Nodal Office and get executed in the CRA system. Also, the cases wherein annuity is applicable, the annuity request is processed online by Annuity Service Provider in the CRAsystem. In all these different stages of withdrawal, now the Subscriber will receive an alert through SMS with details o1 completion of each step.
10	CGMS	In NPS, Subscribers/Nodal Offices have an option to raise Grievance/Enquiries in Central Grievance Management System (CGMS) of CRA through Subscriber login or by visiting CRA website CGMS link. Subscriber can also check the Grievance/Enquiry status through limited access view. Now an additional feature has been added in CGMS platform, with this Subscribers have an option to provide feedback for resolved grievance. This will allow Subscriber to make choice as per his experience as Satisfied/Neutral/ Unsatisfied.
		NPS Subscribers have an online option to raise Grievance/Enquiry on CGMS platform. While raising the grievance there is default selection of mapped POP as per CGMS architecture which was non editable, so the Subscriber was allowed to raise grievance against the mapped entity only. Now Subscribers have an option to raise grievance agains1 unmapped entity.
	Alert Message	Alert message to Subscriber while making online subsequen contribution, where PRAN is in frozen status due to non­ availability of photograph and signature. The alert message has link and information page with details of steps to update photograph/signature in the account.
	Report	Under NPS, the Subscribers have option to shift from one sector to another or within the sector from one Nodal Office to another. The shifting request can be initiated by target entity. In Private Sector.POP as well as Corporates have facility to shift the Subscriber. Now the Corporate entity has an option to view and download the shifting Report, which provides the details of all the Subscribers Shifted In and Shifted out during the selected period. The Entity can access the report by login o CRA system and select the option ‘Subscriber Shifting details’ under ‘View’ menu.
	View	The Subscriber details ‘view’ available in POP/Entity login provides details of Subscribers such as Personal details, other details. Now, it will also provide the reason for freeze of PRAN.
	Freezing guidelines	1. Existing time period of 90 days for non-submission of KYC documents changed to 30 days for submission of physical document after PRAN generation through online mode. Changes in the instructions displayed to Subscribers on eNPS website changed from 90 days to 30 days for new Registrations and OPGM. The necessary modifications have also been made in auto email sent to Subscribers
19	Re-KYC	In the onboarding process through e NPS,all PRANs generated through eNPS and the KYC details/documents provided by Subscriber are verified by selected Bank/POP. On successful KYC verification the PRAN is activated and all the rejected PRANs are frozen. The online facility is developed w ith an option of re-KYC. Now, the Subscribers whose PRANs get rejected by Banks/POP due to mismatch in given details have an option to rectify the details and resubmit the KYC for verification. Earlier on rejection ol KYC verification the Subscriber had to go through offline process by visiting the Bank branch for KYC verification.
eNPS
20	NPS Contribution	Subscriber has online option to register under NPS and further contribute in NPS account through eNPS platform. While registering through eNPS, Subscriber needs to pay the initial Contribution amount and on payment of initial contribution, PRAN is generated. With this release, Subscriber has been limited to contribute maximum of Rs. 50,000 at the time o1 making the initial contribution to NPS through eNPS. Further, there will be no restriction in subsequent contribution.
21		In addition to other payment mode such as Net banking, Debit card options, a new payment option is enabled on eNPS/Mobile App platform i.e UPI (Unified Payment Interface). Subscriber is required to create UPI ID by login to his Bank. account. The UPI ID allotted to user is unique and can be used &or future transaction. Subscriber has to select UPI option and provide UPI ID while making contribution through eNPS/Mobile App platform. The charges for UPI transaction will be applicable.
NPS Lite/ APY
22	Upgrade/ Downgrade	Under APY, the Subscriber is required to select the minimum pension of Rs. 1,000/-, 2,000/-, 3,0001-, 4,000 and 5,000/- per month that will be given at the age of 60 years depending on the contributions by the Subscribers. Accordingly, the contribution is deducted from Subscriber’s Bank Account as per the frequency opted i.e. monthly/quarterly/half yearly. As per PFRDA guidelines, APY Subscribers have an option to upgrade/downgrade the opted pension amount. The window period to change the pension amount is available to Subscriber only once in a year. As per directives received from PFRDA the facility was extended till May, 2019
23	PRAN Card Printing	Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Subscribers have an option to opt or physical PRAN Card by accessing eNPS portal. Now, an instruction Link has been provided to Subscribers to know how o Print APY PRAN Card. This link is available once Subscriber clicks on Atal Pension Yojana menu available on eNPS portal.
24	Re-direction URL	APY Subscriber Information Brochure and APY Forms made available on APY transaction website. 1) The information brochure is made available for viewing to lAPY subscribers.A provision is made on NPS-Lite website “Click here for APY Subscriber Information Brochure” where APY Subscribers are selecting option to View/Download ePRAN I Transaction Statement. 2) The APY Forms are already available on CRA corporate ebsite, Now a provision is made on NPS-Lite website with “Click here for APY Forms” where Subscribers will be redirected to CRA Corporate Site under Forms section.
25	NPS Contribution	Option given to Swavalamban Subscribers to contribute online through eNPS platform. Subscriber has to access eNPS ebsite & select the menu ‘Contribution’ and further, provide the details by selecting the option ‘NPS Subscriber type’ i.e. NPS Swavalamban and PRAN details. The contribution can be done after OTP authentication and confirmation of captcha details. The payment gateway and CRA charges will be applicable on contributing through eNPS.
26	ePRAN View	Subscribers registered under APY have an option to download ePRAN by visiting www.npscra.nsdl.co .in under APY section. Now, the downloaded ePRAN will have additional details i.e. master details of Subscriber. The revamped APY ePRAN will contain below details of Subscriber: 1. Image of PRAN card 2. Personal Details 3. Nomination details 14. APY account Bank details
27	Continuation of APY Account	lA.s per PFRDA exit guidelines under APY, a spouse of the Subscriber has an option to continue his/her APY account in case of death of the Subscriber. Now, feature has been enabled in the CRA system wherein request for continuation o account by spouse can be processed as part of Subscriber Registration functionality by APY Service Providers. The continuation of APY account by spouse will be with below options: 1. In case of death of Subscriber before 60 years, new PRAN will be generated in the name of Spouse and spouse will be allowed to contribute for the remaining period. 2. Spouse will be allowed to contribute same amount as earlier opted by Subscriber. 3. The balance units available in Subscriber account will be ransferred to Spouse account 4. Spouse will be allowed to contribute from her own Bank account.
28	Subscriber Registration	s per PFRDA guidelines, FATCA compliance is mandatory for all new registrations under APY. To adhere to FATCA compliance, related FATCA field(s) has been incorporated in Subscriber Registration file format. This is applicable for all the types of registration under APY as per below mentioned criteria: 1. New Subscriber Registration 2. Subscriber migrating from Swavalamban to APY 3. Spouse who continue APY account on death of Subscriber
29	Withdrawal	As per PFRDA Exit Regulations, 2015 & amendments thereto, a Subscriber can opt for Partial Withdrawal of accumulated pension wealth, not exceeding 25% of contributions made by him/her and excluding contributions made by employer, if any at any time before Exit from National Pension System (NPS). The Subscriber is allowed for partial withdrawal only after completion of 3 years in NPS and has to fulfil the conditions specified by PFRDA for partial withdrawal. Now, feature of partial withdrawal has been enabled for Swavalamban and GOS Subscribers. The Aggregators can initiate request for partial withdrawal for associated Subscribers directly in the CRA system. At the time o1 conditional withdrawal request initiation, Subscriber Bank details will be auto fetched and are non-editable. In case, i1 Bank details are not available in Subscriber account, then request initiation will not be allowed. The Aggregator will be required to update Bank details of Subscriber and then initiate request.
30		Modification is done in withdrawal process while selecting ASP o process annuity. As per the corpus available in Subscriber account and the age of subscriber, the schemes will be displayed to Subscribers/Nodal Offices for scheme selection Earlier the selection criteria was limited to only selection o SP.
31		As per PFRDA guidelines, there is a new Withdrawal Form for Superannuation and Premature exit under NPS. The new Form is common across all sectors of NPS and has additional details/information such as CKYC number, Politically exposed details if any, Annuity Service Provider (ASP) details, family member’s details, PAN etc. In addition, Subscriber’s & Nodal Office declarations for withdrawal have also been included in Form.The new Withdrawal Form for NPS regular was released on October 1, 2018. Now, new Withdrawal Form (for superannuation and premature exit) is released for NPS Lite.
32	CGMS	At present, NPS Lite Aggregators , APY-SPs and Subscribers are allowed to raise queries/grievances through limited access on CRA portal (www. npslite-nsdl.com) and through CRA Corporate Website www.npscra .nsdl.co.in. Now, Aggregators and APY-SPs will have fac ility to raise queries/grievances on behalf of associated Subscribers in the CRA login. As part o unctionality, Aggregators and APY-SPs will have below options: 1. Log Grievance request 2. Grievance resolution 3. Grievance status view 14. View and Assign grievance 5. Grievance Master status view

Source: PFRDA