National Pension System KYC Update Enables Digital Onboarding for NRIs and OCIs: PFRDA

PFRDA updates NPS KYC norms, allowing NRIs and OCIs to complete digital onboarding with relaxed physical presence guidelines.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has announced a significant update to the National Pension System (NPS) KYC norms.  

As per new norms effective December 3, 2025, digital onboarding is now enabled for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), improving accessibility and ease of enrolment from abroad. 

Key Changes in NPS KYC Process for NRIs and OCIs 

The PFRDA has amended its KYC, Anti-Money Laundering, and Combating Financing of Terrorism guidelines to accommodate NRIs and OCIs. They can now complete the NPS subscription online without being physically present in India.  

The new process allows submission and verification of KYC documents, including proof of identity and address, remotely through registered PFRDA Points of Presence (PoPs). 

Live photograph capture, digitally scanning an officially valid document, and geo-tagging the location are mandatory. However, physical presence in India for this process has been made non-compulsory. 

Account Eligibility and Investment Restrictions 

NRIs and OCIs can only invest in Tier I of the NPS. Tier II, which offers voluntary investments and easy withdrawals, is restricted for these categories of subscribers. A Tier I account is a mandatory pension account under the NPS with predefined withdrawal norms. 

Accepted Documents and Verification Standards 

For NRIs, a valid passport serves as both identity and address proof. If the passport mentions only Indian addresses, then a separate document showing an overseas address is required. Accepted documents include residence or work permits and overseas driving licences. 

OCIs must submit their OCI card and foreign passport for identity verification. For address, foreign passports, overseas driving licences, or letters from foreign embassies are accepted. All documents must be self-attested and further verified by authorised officials such as Indian embassies or scheduled commercial banks’ overseas branches. 

Read More: UIDAI Noted 231 Crore Aadhaar Authentication in Nov 2025: Signals Strengthening Digital Economy! 

Technology Measures for Security and Compliance 

The digital onboarding process includes live interaction, facial recognition, and anti-spoofing measures to ensure authenticity. PoPs are instructed to cross-match the GPS location with the address in the submitted documents. 

Conclusion 

The PFRDA’s updated guidelines simplify the NPS enrolment process for NRIs and OCIs by enabling digital onboarding and removing the need for physical presence in India. These changes aim to expand pension participation among global Indian citizens. 

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