A new pension scheme named ‘Vatsalya’ has been proposed for minors by Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2024-25 tabled in Parliament today.

A contributory pension scheme, this will have contribution by parents and guardians. On attaining the age of majority, the plan can be converted seamlessly into a normal NPS account.

The Union Minister also announced that the Committee to review the NPS has made considerable progress in its work. She expressed satisfaction that the Staff Side of the National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery for Central Government Employees have taken a constructive approach. “A solution will be evolved which addresses the relevant issues while maintaining fiscal prudence to protect the common citizens”, the Minister further informed.

Minor pension scheme enables parent or guardian contributions with automatic conversion to standard NPS at majority. A new contributory pension scheme named Vatsalya permits parents and guardians to contribute for minors; upon attainment of majority the minor account will convert seamlessly into a standard National Pension System account to preserve continuation of retirement savings.