Atal Pension Yojana: Govt Rolls Out Revised Form With Simplified Fee Guidelines

The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) continues to be a vital social security initiative for India’s workforce, especially for those in the unorganised sector. Effective from October 1, 2025, the government has introduced a revised APY subscriber registration form in line with the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) guidelines. This change ensures standardisation, accurate data collection, and international tax compliance. New subscribers must now use the updated form for enrolment through post offices and the NSDL-Protean system, as older versions are no longer valid.

Why The APY Form Has Been Revised

The Department of Posts, following a PFRDA mandate, has made significant updates to the APY registration process. The revised form introduces mandatory FATCA/CRS declarations, helping identify foreign citizenship or tax residency. This ensures that only resident Indian citizens can enrol under APY, aligning the scheme with international tax compliance norms.

The move also simplifies onboarding, reduces errors in data submission, and brings consistency across all post offices. The Department has instructed that outdated or unauthorised forms must not be accepted, ensuring smoother processing for new subscribers.

Key Features Of The Updated Registration Form

The revised APY subscriber registration form includes several notable changes:

Mandatory FATCA/CRS Declaration: Ensures applicants comply with foreign tax reporting regulations.

Integration With NSDL-Protean Systems: All system-level requirements are embedded in the Subscriber Registration Form (SRF) module for seamless processing.

Clear Instructions For Post Offices: Each post office has been directed to display the new guidelines prominently and inform citizens of the updated process.

Mandatory Aadhaar And Mobile Linking: Subscribers are encouraged to link Aadhaar and mobile numbers to receive account updates and statements directly.

These improvements aim to create a more transparent, reliable, and accessible pension enrolment experience.

How APY Works

Launched in 2015, the Atal Pension Yojana offers guaranteed monthly pensions ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 after the subscriber turns 60. The exact amount depends on the subscriber’s age at entry and the monthly contribution during the accumulation phase.

The scheme is primarily designed for workers in the unorganised sector who do not have formal pension coverage. Any Indian citizen aged 18–40 can enrol, provided they have a savings bank or post office account and are not an income-tax payer as of October 1, 2022, or thereafter.

Revised Charges And Fee Structure

Alongside the new registration form, PFRDA has announced a revised fee structure for APY and related schemes:

Government Sector: Opening a PRAN costs Rs 18 for an e-PRAN kit and Rs 40 for a physical card, with an annual maintenance charge of Rs 100. APY and NPS-Lite accounts have PRAN opening and maintenance charges of Rs 15 each.

Private Sector: Annual maintenance charges are slab-based, ranging from Rs 100 for balances up to Rs 2 lakh to Rs 500 for balances above Rs 50 lakh. Transaction charges are waived across accounts.

These changes standardise costs while keeping the schemes affordable for small and medium investors.

Implementation And Public Awareness

To ensure smooth rollout, the Department of Posts has instructed all post offices to:

Display Updated Guidelines Prominently: Notices should be placed in public areas for maximum visibility.

Enforce Use Of New Forms: Only the revised APY forms are to be accepted for new enrolments.

Educate Citizens: Post office staff are tasked with guiding subscribers through the updated registration process.

These steps aim to reduce errors, prevent the use of outdated forms, and promote a seamless experience for new subscribers.

The updated APY subscriber registration form effective from October 1, 2025, marks an important step in streamlining India’s social security framework. With enhanced compliance, simplified onboarding, and a revised fee structure, the scheme continues to provide a reliable pension solution for workers in the unorganised sector. By understanding the new form, adhering to guidelines, and keeping track of revised charges, subscribers can ensure smooth enrolment and secure a stable financial future under the Atal Pension Yojana.