Fees & Charges under NPS
NPS is one of the lowest-cost retirement products in India — every charge is regulated by PFRDA and disclosed up front. Here is what you actually pay, stage by stage. Tap a section to see the full breakdown.
Account opening charges
Opening an NPS account costs a small one-time fee at a Point of Presence — and little to nothing if you register online through eNPS. The CRA adds a modest one-time charge to create your PRAN.
Contribution & transaction charges
Every contribution carries a small percentage fee, capped at both ends. Contributing online or through D-Remit is cheaper than going through a Point of Presence.
CRA charges
The Central Recordkeeping Agency maintains your PRAN and records for a few rupees a year, recovered quietly by cancelling a tiny number of units — you never write a cheque for it.
Pension fund management fees
This is where NPS really stands out: the fund-management fee is a fraction of what mutual funds or ULIPs charge, capped by PFRDA and taken quietly through the NAV.
Exit & annuity-related charges
There is no exit load on NPS. A small processing fee may apply at withdrawal, and the annuity you buy has no separate NPS charge — its cost is already built into the rate.
Charges follow the NPS Trust charges page (npstrust.org.in/charges-under-nps), with the Protean CRA schedule (npscra.proteantech.in/nps-charges), and reflect PFRDA-prescribed caps. Figures shown are indicative maximums; PoPs may charge less, and CRA figures differ slightly by agency.
NPS Desk is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with PFRDA, the NPS Trust, or any CRA. Charges are revised from time to time — always confirm the current figure on the official NPS Trust or CRA page before acting.
Compare every charge in one place
The NPS Trust publishes the full, current charge schedule across all intermediaries.
Account opening charges
Charged once, when your account is first set up.
Contribution & transaction charges
Applied each time you contribute or request a change.
CRA charges
From the NPS Trust charges page, for a regular NPS account — Protean / KFin / CAMS.
Pension fund management fees
Charged on the value of your investments and deducted through the daily NAV.
Exit & annuity-related charges
What applies when you take money out or buy your pension.