NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has announced the launch of Tatkal NPS on the BHIM Payments App, enabling eligible users to open National Pension System (NPS) accounts through a simplified three-step digital process.
Introduced by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), the facility eliminates the need for branch visits or fresh paperwork by using existing bank-verified KYC details. Eligible Indian citizens aged 18 to 85 can open an account by entering their date of birth, selecting an eligible bank account and making their first contribution through UPI.
The service is currently available to customers of State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank and Bank of Baroda, with additional banks expected to be added subsequently.
Lalitha Nataraj, managing director and CEO of NBSL, said Tatkal NPS would expand BHIM’s role from facilitating payments and NPS contributions to supporting pension account onboarding.
S. Ramann, chairperson of PFRDA, said the initiative aims to make retirement planning more accessible through digital platforms and encourage wider pension participation.
The minimum initial contribution is ₹250, while subsequent contributions can start at ₹10, subject to applicable NPS requirements. NPS is a low-cost, PFRDA-regulated pension scheme in which contributions are invested in market-linked funds managed by regulated pension fund managers. Tax benefits are available as applicable.
The initiative supports PFRDA’s vision of a pensioned society by simplifying digital access to long-term retirement savings.
