Your NPS account is said to be frozen when you cannot operate it any longer after logging in. But there is no need to worry. You can always unfreeze your account. Continue reading to know the reasons for your account to be frozen, how to find out if your account is frozen, and how to unfreeze it. 

How to Find Out If Your Account is Frozen?

  • When your account is frozen, you will usually get an error message declaring that you are no longer qualified to contribute to the account. 
  • Since you are subscribed to NPS, you will receive an SMS informing you that your account could be frozen within 30 days if you do not take the required action.  
  • After the status of the account changes from active to frozen, you will get another SMS or e-mail. If you have not received any intimation yet, you are likely to get one soon. 

What Are the Reasons for Account Freezing?

  • The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) freezes NPS accounts for not meeting the minimum yearly contribution. Tier 1 NPS accounts should have a minimum annual contribution of Rs. 1,000 and Tier 2 accounts must maintain Rs. 250. 
  • If your Tier 1 account becomes inactive, the Tier 2 account also gets frozen. 
  • Your NPS account may get frozen if you have not submitted the necessary documents or if your KYC validation is still pending.

How to Unfreeze Your NPS Account

By Making An Online Contribution

You can unfreeze your NPS account by making a minimum contribution. Here are the steps to unfreeze your NPS account online. 

Step 1: Go to the eNPS portal and click the Contribution option on the home page. 

Step 2:   Enter your PRAN and date of birth to go to the contribution page. 

Step 3: Ensure that you make a minimum contribution of Rs. 500 per transaction. 

Step 4: The CRA will verify the payment via e-mail and unfreeze the NPS account. 

Step 5: Now, you can log into your account and contribute regularly.

By Making An Offline Contribution 

If you have opened the NPS account via a bank or Point of Presence (PoP), you can reactivate your account offline. The Point of Presence becomes your certified point of contact and expedites all your contributions and withdrawals. You can visit your nearest POP to make the required contribution to unfreeze the account. 

  • Submit an NPS contribution Instruction Slip (NCIS) at the center. Also furnish the  Demand Draft (DD) or crossed cheque. 
  • The form is inclusive of your PRAN and other account details. 
  • You can download the form online or get a physical copy from the PoP. 
  • The DD and cheque should be drawn in favor of PoP Collection Amount – NPS Trust. 
  • After processing, the amount gets transferred to the account registered with the PRAN specified on the NCIS.

By Sorting out Your KYC Rejection

Your NPS account could get frozen if your KYC is rejected.  If this is the reason, then you should follow the steps below to unfreeze it. 

  • Obtain a hard copy of the registration form, attach your picture, and sign it.
  • Approach the nearest PoP whose address is given in the form for physical verification. Your address, identity, and PAN details will get validated here. 
  • Complete the registration form, signed and stamped by the PoP official. Ensure that the form includes the employee’s ID. 
  • After completing the verification, submit the form at the PoP.