New NPS registration fee of ₹200 and scheme classification rules effective October 1, 2026

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority introduces a new classification system for National Pension System schemes and a one-time registration fee from October 1, 2026. A registration fee of ₹200 for every Permanent Retirement Account Number applies to accounts opened through Points of Presence. Central Recordkeeping Agencies collect this fee in quarterly instalments of ₹50, paid to the Point of Presence in the month after the quarter the account was opened.

Scheme classification

National Pension System schemes now fall into five categories, named A to E, based on equity exposure. Each scheme must belong to one category. This structure helps standardize details on equity exposure, risk, returns, fees, and benchmarks. These rules do not apply to government-sector accounts.