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NPS Vatsalya: What should parents know about this scheme?

May 23, 2025

Financial planning has become crucial for everyone in today’s fast-paced world, from adults to children; everyone needs a financially secure future. The National Pension System has introduced the NPS Vatsalya scheme for children under the age of 18. It aims to encourage financial discipline from a tender age and provide parents a cushion to start saving for their child’s future. In this blog, we’ll discover the NPS Vatsalya details, its advantages, and how parents can open an NPS Vatsalya account.

What is NPS Vatsalya?

The Government of India launched this scheme to empower the younger generation by inspiring them to plan for their retirement from an early age. This scheme comes under the National Pension System, and it is regulated and administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The main aim of this scheme is to nurture and instil the importance of financial security from a tender age. Parents or guardians can open NPS Vatsalya accounts in the name of their children and contribute towards their long-term retirement savings. In this scheme, the child is the sole beneficiary, while the parent or guardian is designated as the nominee.

Read here to learn how NPS is a retirement plan for all Indian citizens. 

NPS Vatsalya Benefits

It is a well-designed and thoughtful initiative to secure long-term financial stability for children. Let’s have a look at the advantages of the scheme.

  • Long-Term Financial Security: NPS Vatsalya offers a structured and reliable way for parents to build a retirement fund for their children, ensuring a strong financial foundation as they grow.
  • Affordable: With a minimum annual contribution of just ₹1,000, the scheme is accessible to all families across income levels.
  • Encourage Financial Discipline: Parents can nurture financial awareness and responsibility from a young age.
  • Safeguard Against Uncertainty: The scheme provides a financial safety net, helping protect children’s futures even in unforeseen circumstances.
  • Flexible Contributions: Parents can tailor their investment amounts based on changing financial needs and capabilities.
  • Power of Compounding: Starting early maximizes the benefits of compound interest, helping to grow a substantial corpus over time.

Who can open an NPS account?

The following eligibility criteria must be fulfilled to enrol in NPS Vatsalya: 
  1. The child/children must be citizens of India
  2. It can be opened by a parent or a legal guardian
  3. NRIs and OCIs can also open an account

Final Thoughts

The NPS Vatsalya scheme promotes financial security and supports early retirement savings for children. Parents or guardians can open an account for their children, helping to build a retirement corpus from a young age. With low minimum contributions, flexible withdrawals, and a seamless transition at age 18, NPS Vatsalya ensures future financial stability. Additionally, it fosters early investment habits and secures long-term financial well-being.