NPS Vatsalya Decoded: From features to lock-in to minimum investment to premature withdrawal, know every important aspect about the pension scheme for minors

NPS Vatsalya Features, Minimum Investment, Benefits: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday launched a special version of the popular NPS pension scheme, called NPS Vatsalya, aimed at enabling parents or guardians to build a post-retirement corpus on behalf of their minor children through market-linked returns. Launching the pension scheme in almost 75 locations across the country virtually from the national capital, the finance minister said that the implementation of the scheme in such a short period since its announcement shows the government's commitment. She also released the scheme brochure and unveiled an online platform for subscribing to NPS Vatsalya.

"NPS Vatsalya is an important step towards the Prime Minister's 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) vision... The growth of the nation needs to be accompanied by intergenerational faith. Financial independence is important in order to ensure a financially secure and dignified future," said the finance minister. Read more

The official logo of the NPS Vatsalya scheme, as revealed on September 18

She also mentioned that the NPS scheme is currently maintaining a CAGR of 34 per cent, delivering an average annual return of 9.5 per cent.  

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said that the section of the society below 18 years of age are the foundation of a Developed India. "Social security is an important part of development," he said. 

Describing the NPS Vatsalya scheme as a symbol of financial independence, PFRDA Chairman Deepak Mohanty said that the NPS Vatsalya account will be converted into a normal NPS account once the subscriber attains the age of 18.

"This account will continue as the person joins workforce," he said. 

The rollout of the NPS Vatsalya scheme, aimed at emphasising the importance of saving early to secure children’s financial futures, underscores the government's commitment to promoting long-term financial planning and security for all.

First announced in the Union Budget for 2024-25, unveiled on July 23, the NPS Vatsalya scheme comes with a dedicated online platform aimed at ensuring a seamless subscription to the scheme. 

NPS Vatsalya will not only allow parents to save for their children’s future by investing in a pension account and ensure long-term wealth with the power of compounding but also offer flexible contributions and investment options for investors. The scheme will accept investments of as low as Rs 1,000 per year in favour of the child, in a move aimed at ensuring accessibility and ease of access to families from all economic backgrounds.

The Scheme will be operated under the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

ALSO READ: NPS vs NPS Vatsalya | What are differences? Which can help generate higher corpus? 

Here are some important details to know about the NPS Vatsalya scheme: 

Who will benefit? 

The scheme will be in favour of minor children enabling their parents or guardians to build a corpus for their financial needs starting much earlier than a normal NPS account.

This will enable the funds to grow at a much higher rate and benefit the child till they reach adulthood.

Lock-in Period

NPS Vatsalya will have a lock-in period—the period during which it cannot be surrendered—of three years.

Premature Withdrawal

After serving the minimum required lock-in period of three years, depositors will become eligible for the option of up to three withdrawals, amounting up to 25 per cent of the corpus. 

Minimum Investment 

The scheme will enable parents or guardians to invest amounts as small as Rs 1,000 per year in favour of the minor subscribers. 

What will happen to the account upon maturity?

Upon reaching the age of 18, the beneficiary will have the option of converting the NPS Vatsalya account into a regular NPS account. 

ALSO READ: NPS vs SIP | Which can help generate larger corpus on Rs 12,000 monthly investment for 25 years

PRAN 

At the time of opening the account, the minor subscribers will be issued permanent retirement account numbers (PRAN) among other details.

Investment Options Under NPS Vatsalya 

The NPS Vatsalya scheme will come with options like flexible contributions and choice of investment.

Here are some key details: 

The NPS Vatsalya scheme will offer the Moderate Lifecycle Fund option (with 50 per cent investment in equities) by default. 

The following two options will be available, as applicable under the normal NPS account: 

• Auto Choice: Investors will have the option to choose allocations of 75 per cent, 50 per cent, or 25 per cent to equities.
• Active Choice: Investors will get to select how their funds will be distributed across asset classes, such as up to 75 per cent in equities, up to 100 per cent in corporate debt and government securities, and up to five per cent in alternative assets.

Documents required 

Those looking to subscribe to the NPS Vatsalya scheme using Aadhaar will need the following: 

• Date of birth (DoB) proof of minor
• Parent/guardian signature
• Scanned copy of passport (applicable only for NRI subscribers)
• Scanned copy of foreign address proof (applicable only for OCI subscribers)
• Scanned copy of bank proof (applicable only for NRI/OCI subscribers)

Where to open NPS Vatsalya account?

The finance minister said that the scheme will be available at banks, post offices as well as the newly-launched portal. 

NPS Vatsalya rules

The same rules that apply to the Tier 1 NPS account will also apply to NPS Vatsalya.