Hello! If you are looking for a safe investment for the bright future of your children then I would like to introduce you to NPS Vatsalya Scheme. This unique savings and pension plan, regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), offers you to open a pension account in the name of a minor (children under 18).

With investments starting as low as ₹1,000 annum, this is a practical way to educate your children on future financial wellbeing and prepare them for a financially secure future.

Read: What is the National Pension System?

What is the NPS Vatsalya Scheme?

NPS Vatsalya Scheme: Pension plan for children under 18 years, ensuring financial security for the future
The NPS Vatsalya Scheme offers a pension plan to ensure financial stability for children under 18 years of age.

The NPS Vatsalya Scheme is a pension and savings plan designed specifically for minors under the age of 18, regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). It allows guardians to open and manage a pension account in the name of a minor, ensuring financial stability from an early age with investments starting as low as ₹1,000 per annum.

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Official Resources: For the latest details, please refer to the PFRDA guidelines on minor accounts to ensure all information is up-to-date.

Key Features of the NPS Vatsalya Scheme

As a guardian, you will have full control over your child’s account and investment decisions until he or she turns 18. Here’s what the Scheme includes:

  • Eligibility: NPS Vatsalya Scheme is open to any minor (Children under 18) Indian citizen. Anyone who is 18 years or less of this age can apply for this sheme through their parents.
  • Account Operation: Although this NPS account is opened in the name of your children, it is managed by you, the guardian, until they become an adult.
  • PRAN Issuance: A Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) is issued for the child, making them the sole beneficiary. This means that all the contributions go toward their upcoming safety.
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Note: It’s essential to understand that while guardians manage the account initially, the minor gains complete control over it at 18, promoting financial independence.

How to Open an NPS Vatsalya Account

Opening an NPS Vatsalya account is very easy and can be done both offline and online. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  • Offline Application (POP): NPS Vatsalya account can be opened at some registered Points of Presence (POP), like leading banks, India Post and other authorized institutions.
  • Online Application(eNPS): If you want to open the account online, simply go to the NPS Trust portal and follow the process to apply via eNPS. Applying for this scheme is very simple. To apply online:
    • Go to the → NPS Trust website.
    • Fill up the aplication form on the → NPS portal.
    • Upload all → the necessary documents,
    • Select your → investment options.
    • Make the initial contribution → to activate the account.

Also read: How to Apply Online for NPS Vatsalya Scheme!

Required Documents for Account Opening

For the Child:

  • Any valid proof of date of birth, (such as Birth certificate, School leaving certificate, Matriculation Certificate, PAN, Passport).

For the Guardian:

  • KYC shall be carried out by submitting Proof of Identity and Address (Such as Aadhaar, Driving License, Passport, Voter ID card, NREGA Job Card, National, Population Register).
  • PAN or Form 60 declaration.
  • In Case guardian are NRI: NRE/NRO Bank Account (solo or joint) of the minor.

Investment Options in the NPS Vatsalya Scheme

A special feature of NPS Vatsalya scheme is that there is a lot of flexibility in investing in it and choosing in investment options. You can choose these options based on your risk taking capacity and future planning:

  • Default Choice: A Moderate Life Cycle Fund (LC-50) with a balanced 50% equity allocation.
  • Auto Choice: Select from Aggressive (LC-75), Moderate (LC-50), or Conservative (LC-25) Life Cycle Funds, depending on how much risk you’re comfortable with.
  • Active Choice: You can actively decide how funds are allocated across equities (up to 75%), corporate debt, government securities, and alternate assets.
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Important Note: Market-linked investments come with inherent risks, meaning returns are based on the performance of selected funds. It’s advised to consult with a financial advisor to decide the right investment approach for your child’s needs.

Transitioning to Adulthood at 18

Once your child turns 18, the transition to an NPS Tier-I account is smooth and automatic. Here’s what happens:

  • KYC Update: A fresh KYC for your children is required within three months of their 18th birthday.
  • Account Upgrade: Once your children turn 18, they’ll enjoy all the benefits of a regular NPS Tier-I account. This contains a wide range of investment options and flexible withdrawal systems, providing them with the financial tools they need as they enter adulthood.

Contribution Structure of the NPS Vatsalya Scheme

  • Minimum Initial Contribution: You can Start the Vatssalya Pension account with a minimum contribution of ₹1,000.
  • Annual Contribution: Always Keep the account active with a minimum annual deposit of ₹1,000 or more, however there’s no maximum limit, allowing you to contribute more as you wish.
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Pro Tip: To confirm steady contributions, consider setting up automated payment system like ECS or Auto Debit. This makes it easier to stay consistent, building a solid financial base for your child.

Using the NPS Vatsalya Calculator

Using an NPS Vatsalya Scheme Calculator can help estimate future pension benefits.

Benefits of the NPS Vatsalya Scheme

There are several benefits to the NPS Vatsalya Scheme:

  • Tax Benefits: The contribution to this scheme is eligible for tax deduction under section 80C, which is a very helpful incentive to build the financial base of your child by our Government of India.
  • Interest Rate & Returns: The returns on investment are market linked, which means they vary based on the performance of your chosen funds, it offers high growth in the long term plans. PFRDA historical returns on investment data shows us that NPS can be a strong performer over time as compared to other pension schemes in India.
  • Understanding in Financial Literacy: This scheme gives our children access to financial concepts like savings and investment, which promote financial awareness from an early age.
Example: If you contribute ₹1,000 monthly (annually ₹12,000) and choose for a balanced fund (50% equity and 50% debt), the projected value over 20 years, with an average annual growth of 8%, could reach large savings for your child’s future.

Why Choose the NPS Vatsalya Scheme for Your Child?

Opening NPS Vatsalya Account sets up a powerful way for your children to learn about financial management and create a long-term savings plan. With an affordable entry point, tax benefits and various investment options, this plan ensures that your children get a financial head start in life.

Also, this is one such scheme where the seamless transition to a easy NPS Tier-1 account at the age of 18 ensures that their journey with NPS does not end but grows with them.

This plan provides both financial security and practical knowledge together which is a very good and meaningful gift for your children in the future.

Official Sources:

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Do check out these articles • Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): A Complete Guide to the New Pension Plan for Government Employees
• National Pension System (NPS): Your Comprehensive Retirement Solution
•

FAQs about the NPS Vatsalya Scheme

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