Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority to Open NPS Accounts for Gig Workers via e-Shram Database

Key facts

• Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is working to open National Pension System (NPS) accounts for gig and platform workers listed in the e-shram database.
• PFRDA chairman S Raman said the e-shramik model was suggested for pension benefits under the social security code, with worker consent obtained before opening accounts.
• The new accounts will be opened using the recently launched NPS Tatkal option, which allows digital, instant account opening through UPI-linked payment platforms without paperwork.
• The e-shramik model, launched in October 2025, allows flexible micro-contributions as low as Rs 99 and is linked to a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).
• New accounts will by default follow the NPS Sanchaya investment pattern, a conservative-to-moderate pattern similar to government sector NPS schemes, with the option to change allocations later.