National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self Employed Persons is running in 2026 and eligible shopkeepers, retail traders, and self-employed persons can apply through the maandhan.in portal or their nearest Common Service Centre. Also known as Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana, this contributory pension scheme gives a fixed monthly pension of ₹3,000 after the age of 60.
Small traders and self-employed workers with annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore can join by paying a monthly contribution between ₹55 and ₹200. Central Government adds the same amount every month, so the pension fund grows twice as fast. Ministry of Labour and Employment runs the scheme through LIC and the CSC network across India, and enrollment is free of cost.
National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self Employed Persons 2026
NPS-Traders is a voluntary pension scheme made for the unorganised sector. Launched on 22 July 2019, this scheme covers vyaparis working as shop owners, retail traders, small hotel or restaurant owners, workshop owners, commission agents, real estate brokers, and other self-employed persons. Over three crore workers from the unorganised sector have joined the maandhan family since the scheme started, as per the Ministry of Labour and Employment data.
Anyone joining between the age of 18 and 40 becomes eligible for a monthly pension of ₹3,000 from age 60 onwards. If the member dies after the pension starts, the spouse gets 50% of the pension amount as family pension for life. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) is the pension fund manager and handles all monthly payments through direct bank transfer.
Who Can Apply
Rules for this pension scheme are simple. You should be a self-employed vyapari such as a shop owner, retail trader, small business owner, commission agent, real estate broker, or workshop owner. Age at the time of joining should be between 18 and 40 years, and annual business turnover should not go beyond ₹1.5 crore.
Highlights of NPS-Traders 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self Employed Persons (NPS-Traders) |
| Also Known As | Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana (PMLVMY) |
| Launched By | Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India |
| Launch Date | 22 July 2019 |
| Who Can Apply | Small traders, shopkeepers, self-employed persons |
| Age Group | 18 to 40 years |
| Turnover Limit | Up to ₹1.5 crore per year |
| Pension Amount | ₹3,000 per month after age 60 |
| Monthly Contribution | ₹55 to ₹200 (based on entry age) |
| Government Share | Matches the member contribution |
| Pension Fund Manager | Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) |
| Application Mode | Online via CSC or maandhan.in |
| Payment Mode | DBT to bank account |
| Official Website | maandhan.in |
Who Cannot Apply
Some categories of workers are not covered under this scheme because they already get social security cover from other government schemes. Members of EPFO, NPS, or ESIC cannot join NPS-Traders. Income taxpayers are also not eligible. Persons already enrolled in Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana or PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana are excluded as well, since a person can only be part of one maandhan scheme at a time.
How to Apply for NPS-Traders Online
Registration for the scheme happens through the Common Service Centre network, which has more than 3.5 lakh centres across India. You can also self-enroll through the official maandhan.in portal. The full process is free and takes only a few minutes if you carry the right documents.
STEP 1 - Go to your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) with your Aadhaar card and bank account details. To find the closest CSC, check locator.csccloud.in. If you want to self-enroll, open maandhan.in on any browser and click on the 'Click Here to Apply Now' button under the NPS-Traders section.
STEP 2 - Hand over your Aadhaar card and savings or Jan Dhan bank account details to the Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE). Carry your bank passbook, a cancelled cheque, or a bank statement as account proof. Also share the IFSC code of your bank branch.
STEP 3 - Pay the first monthly subscription in cash to the VLE. The amount depends on your age at entry, from ₹55 for an 18-year-old up to ₹200 for a 40-year-old applicant.
STEP 4 - The VLE will do your Aadhaar-based authentication using your Aadhaar number, name, and date of birth. Then fill in details like mobile number, email address, GSTIN (if any), annual turnover, and nominee name.
STEP 5 - Sign the self-certification declaration for eligibility. The portal automatically calculates your monthly contribution amount based on your current age, so there is no manual math involved.
STEP 6 - Review the printed enrollment-cum-auto-debit mandate form, sign it, and hand it back to the VLE. The VLE will scan and upload the signed form to complete the enrollment.
STEP 7 - Collect your Vyapari Pension Account Number (VPAN) and your Vyapari Card. Future monthly contributions will be automatically deducted from your bank account through auto-debit on a fixed date every month.
Documents Required
Only two documents are needed for enrollment, which makes the process quick and easy for small traders. Applicants should carry the following papers to the CSC or keep them handy while applying online:
- Aadhaar card of the applicant, which is used for identity, age, and address verification on a self-declaration basis.
- Savings bank account or Jan Dhan account passbook, cancelled cheque, or bank statement with the IFSC code clearly printed for setting up the auto-debit mandate.
Family Pension and Death Benefits
If the member dies after starting the ₹3,000 monthly pension, the spouse becomes eligible to get 50% of that amount as family pension for life. This family pension is available only to the spouse, not to children or parents.
If the member dies before turning 60 while still paying contributions, the spouse can either continue the scheme by paying the balance contributions and get the pension later, or exit the scheme. On exit, the spouse gets back the total contributions along with interest earned by the pension fund or savings bank interest, whichever is higher.
Disability Rules
If a member becomes permanently disabled before age 60 and cannot pay further contributions, the spouse gets the same option to continue or exit. On exit, the total contributions with interest are refunded. This safety cover helps traders and their families during unexpected setbacks.
Exit Rules Before Age 60
Members who want to leave the scheme before age 60 will get their money back, but the return amount depends on how long they stayed in the scheme. See the table below for the exit benefit calculation:
| Exit Period | Benefit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 10 years | Total contribution plus savings bank interest rate |
| 10 years or more (before age 60) | Total contribution plus fund interest or savings bank interest, whichever is higher |
| After death of member and spouse | Total accumulated corpus goes back to the pension fund |
Reviving a Lapsed Account
Missed a few monthly payments? Not a big issue. Members can revive their account by paying the pending dues along with a small nominal interest amount fixed by the government. This is a useful option for traders whose income drops during off seasons.
Other Pension Schemes to Check
Central Government runs a few more pension schemes for different worker categories under the maandhan family. Farmers can apply for the PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana, while unorganised sector workers such as street vendors, rickshaw pullers, and construction workers can join the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana. More information about traders' pension is also available in the PM Laghu Vyapari Mandhan Yojana guide.
References
Official Guidelines - Ministry of Labour and Employment
FAQ's
Is NPS-Traders scheme still running in 2026?
Yes, the scheme is running as of 2026. Eligible traders can apply through the maandhan.in portal or any Common Service Centre. Enrollment is free of cost.
Who can apply for this pension scheme?
Any retail trader, shopkeeper, or self-employed person aged between 18 and 40 years with annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore can apply. Members of EPFO, NPS, ESIC, or income taxpayers are not eligible.
How much pension will I get and at what age?
Members get a fixed pension of ₹3,000 per month for life after turning 60. This amount is paid directly to the bank account through DBT payment.
How much do I have to pay every month?
Monthly contribution is between ₹55 and ₹200, depending on your age at the time of joining. A person joining at 18 pays ₹55 and someone joining at 40 pays ₹200. Central Government adds the same amount to your pension fund every month.
How do I enroll in this scheme?
Go to your nearest Common Service Centre with your Aadhaar card and bank account details. You can also self-enroll by visiting maandhan.in. Locate the closest CSC at locator.csccloud.in.
Do I need a separate age proof document?
No, the age on your Aadhaar card is accepted on a self-certification basis. No extra age proof is required.
What happens if I die after starting the pension?
Your spouse will get 50% of your pension amount as family pension for life. This benefit is only for the spouse and not for children or other family members.
Can I exit the scheme before age 60?
Yes. If you exit before 10 years, you get back your contributions with savings bank interest. If you exit after 10 years but before age 60, you get your contributions plus the higher of fund interest or savings bank interest.
Who manages the pension fund?
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is the pension fund manager. LIC handles all monthly pension payments to eligible members.
Is there any joining fee?
No, enrollment is fully free for all eligible traders and self-employed persons.
What if I miss a monthly contribution?
You can revive your account by paying the pending dues along with a small interest amount fixed by the government. Auto-debit will start again once your account is active.
Is family pension paid if I die before age 60?
If you die during the contribution period, your spouse can continue paying the contributions and get pension later, or exit the scheme and take back the total contributions with interest.