# PFRDA Updates NPS Naming Conventions and Platform Display Rules New regulatory guidelines for pension fund schemes take effect starting December 1st. - **Source:** [mint - money](https://www.livemint.com/rss/money) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f3ba87ff-c2e9-4fdc-8d9b-3a3ced357548 ## Regulatory Framework Revision The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has issued a significant amendment to its August 28 circular regarding the National Pension System. Effective December 1, the update modifies how pension fund schemes are named and presented on Point of Presence platforms, aiming to streamline the subscriber onboarding experience across various digital financial channels. ## Simplified Naming Conventions The regulator has officially removed category codes, ranging from A to E, from the official scheme names. The new mandatory format requires the abbreviation of the pension fund name, followed by NPS and a unique scheme name. This change prevents clutter while ensuring that distinct scheme names remain identifiable for all individual subscribers. ## Maintaining Risk Transparency Although category codes are no longer part of the scheme name, transparency remains a priority. PFRDA mandates that the applicable scheme category or growth category must be displayed in a smaller font alongside or below the unique name in all public literature, advertising materials, scheme brochures, and the essential NPS documentation for investors. ## Platform Display Requirements Point of Presence platforms must now display schemes from all pension funds within a subscriber's selected category. While platforms can pre-select a specific scheme or place a particular fund at the top of the list, they are strictly required to maintain visibility for all competing funds within that chosen risk category. ## Exceptions for Integrated Platforms A specific exception exists for pension funds that also hold a Point of Presence license. These entities may display only their own schemes when a subscriber accesses their proprietary website or application. This applies specifically when the entire onboarding journey is managed and operated directly by that pension fund's internal digital infrastructure. ## Standardized Navigation Protocols The PFRDA clarified that centralized platforms, including the NPS Central and Central Recordkeeping Agency systems, must show schemes from all pension funds. Navigation journeys must first capture the subscriber's choice regarding scheme type, category, or risk appetite before displaying the corresponding options, ensuring a neutral and consistent selection process for every user. ## Agent and Internal Access The Star NPS platform remains a designated tool for pension funds to present their specific schemes to appointed pension agents. This operational clarity ensures that while public-facing platforms must remain neutral, internal distribution channels can still facilitate targeted information flow between pension funds and their authorized agents for efficient market operations. ## Strategic Regulatory Impact These amendments reflect a broader move toward standardizing the digital pension landscape in India. By decoupling risk categories from scheme names while mandating neutral display logic on platforms, the PFRDA aims to reduce investor confusion and promote fair competition among pension fund managers, ultimately enhancing the overall transparency of the national system. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/pfrda-revises-msf-naming-rules-clarifies-how-pops-must-display-pension-fund-schemes-key-nps-changes-from-1-december-11793751722428.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._