NPS For Platform Workers: PFRDA Launches ‘NPS E-Shramik’ Model To Ensure Social Security For Them

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) launched the NPS e-shramik (Platform Service Partner) Model for platform workers on October 29, 2025. In its efforts to provide pension coverage to informal sector workers, particularly those engaged in the burgeoning platform economy, the new NPS model aims to bring such workers formally under the retirement security system. In the last few years, several digital platforms, such as Zomato, Swiggy, Ola, Uber, and Urban Company, have created jobs that are flexible and task-based in nature, but the workforce engaged with these companies remained largely outside the social security system. The e-shramik model addresses this gap by putting responsibility on such companies and points of presence (PoPs) to include Platform Service Partners (platform workers) in the pension security system.    

NPS E-Shramik Model

The NPS e-shramik Model is being introduced specifically for informal sector workers engaged in facilitating service delivery across the nation for digital platforms. For the purpose of the scheme, the circular defines:

• Platform Service Partner (PSP) - as an individual, including a gig worker, engaged for consideration under a contract for service with a Platform Aggregator.

• Platform Aggregator - as an online marketplace or digital platform that connects users with these platform service partners.

How Will This Model Work?

Through this NPS model, PFRDA places the responsibility on the financial intermediaries (PoPs) to actively engage with platform aggregators to onboard PSPs. Per the circular, “PoPs shall, however, be fully responsible for regulatory compliance under the PFRDA Act, 2013, PFRDA (Points of Presence) Regulations, 2018, and related circulars or guidelines and directions, for the Platform Service Partners onboarded through Platform Aggregator.”

Platform Aggregators have been kept free from regulatory compliance. They don’t need to seek registration with PFRDA. Instead, they will be assigned a “Platform Aggregator Code” to register PSPs with them under the Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) system.

Notably, PFRDA allows Pension Funds to file a scheme for PSPs under this framework and submit it for approval from the authority. The scheme details should include investment options, target segment, vesting period, portability, etc.

The nomenclature of the scheme will be “uniform across all the Pension Funds and may prefix the Pension Fund name, reads the circular. It will be named as “NPS e-shramik (Platform Service Partner) Pension scheme”.

How To Register Under The NPS E-Sharmik Model?

To facilitate a seamless adoption, the PFRDA laid down a two-phase registration process.

• Phase I is focused on the quick generation of the Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN). Under this phase, the PoPs or aggregators will carry out KYC verification of minimum personal details, such as name, address, mobile number, PAN, and bank account details, typically through Aadhaar-based eKYC. Once PSP consents, PRAN will be generated to register the PSP under the scheme. The aggregators may select the investment scheme and Pension Fund at the time of opening an NPS account, which can later be changed by the PSP.

• Phase II will require onboarding completion by including subsequent details of the subscriber, such as the father’s and mother’s names, nominee details, email ID, etc. The authority stipulates 60 days from onboarding to complete the registration process by the PoPs.

Contributions Mode

Under the e-shramik model, contributions can be made jointly (both Platform Aggregator and PSP), or only PSP, or only Platform Aggregator. There will be no minimum or maximum contribution threshold; however, Aggregator and PSP can determine it themselves to ensure effective savings.

Charges

PoPs will not charge “Onboarding fee” from subscribers under this model till the time of incentive framework is available. Later, it would depend on the existing charges or any modifications by the PFRDA. CRA charges will be in line with the NPS Lite/Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and NPS Trust, Custodian, and Pension Fund charges will be as approved by the PFRDA.

Portability And Incentives For Participation

As a PSP could be working or more than one aggregator, such a PSP can open an NPS e-shramik account with one platform aggregator and port the account later to another aggregator. PSPs are also allowed to change from the scheme under this model to the Common Scheme. Exit and withdrawal rules will be similar to the provisions under the NPS All Citizen Model. 

To encourage PoPs to build their system, the PFRDA will provide up to Rs 100 per new account registered under this model. This incentive will be applicable for PSPs onboarded by March 31, 2026.