Date: 2025-03-28Category: Public Private Partnership in IndiaState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Master Circular on Investment Guidelines for UPS/NPS/APY Schemes- Central/ State Government (default), Corporate CG, NPS Lite, Atal Pension Yojana and APY Fund Scheme
**Executive Summary**
This Master Circular, issued by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on March 28, 2025, provides investment guidelines for UPS/NPS/APY Schemes. Effective from April 1, 2025, it supersedes the earlier master circular dated August 18, 2023, and other listed circulars/letters. The circular is issued in exercise of powers conferred by the PFRDA Act, 2013, and PFRDA (Pension Fund) Regulations, 2015.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Authority and Scope:**
* Issued under Section 14 and Section 23 of the PFRDA Act, 2013, and Regulation 14 of PFRDA (Pension Fund) Regulations, 2015.
* **Supersession and Effective Date:**
* Supersedes master circular dated August 18, 2023, and listed circulars/letters.
* Effective from April 1, 2025.
* **General Guidelines:**
* Compliance extends beyond the Master Circular to applicable laws.
* Earlier circulars remain in effect until subsumed under this Master Circular.
* Rescinded circulars' actions remain valid.
* Previous operations and related actions are unaffected by rescission.
* **Investment Guidelines (UPS/NPS/APY Schemes):**
* **Government Securities and Related Investments:** Up to 65%
* Government Securities.
* Other Securities (guaranteed by Central or State Government).
* Units of Mutual Funds investing in Government securities.
* **Debt Instruments and Related Investments:** Up to 45%
* Listed debt securities issued by bodies corporate, including banks and public financial institutions.
* Basel III Tier-1 bonds issued by scheduled commercial banks.
* Rupee Bonds issued by international institutions.
* Term Deposit receipts of more than one year duration issued by scheduled commercial banks meeting certain conditions.
* Units of Debt Schemes of Mutual Funds.
* Debt securities issued by Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT).
* Debt securities issued by Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InVIT).
* Infrastructure related debt instruments (including those issued by Indian Railways, Government Authorities promoting infrastructure, etc.).
* Listed credit rated Municipal bonds.
* Investment in units of Debt ETFs issued by Government of India specifically meant to invest in bonds issued by Government owned entities.
* **Short-term Debt Instruments and Related Investments:** Up to 10%
* Money market instruments (Treasury Bills, Commercial Paper, Certificates of Deposit).
* Term Deposit Receipts of upto one year duration.
* Investments in units of a debt scheme of a mutual fund as regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India.
* Investments in Government Securities as Lender in Triparty Repo
* **Equities and Related Investments:** Up to 25%
* Shares of body corporates listed on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) or National Stock Exchange (NSE).
* Units of equity schemes of mutual funds regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
* Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)/Index Funds regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India.
* Exchange Traded Derivatives regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India.
* Initial Public Offering (IPO), Follow on Public Offer (FPO) and Offer for Sale (OFS) of companies, approved by Securities and Exchange Board of India.
* **Asset Backed, Trust Structured and Miscellaneous Investments:** Up to 5%
* Commercial mortgage based securities or Residential mortgage based securities.
* Units issued by Real Estate Investment Trusts regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
* Asset Backed Securities regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
* Units of Infrastructure Investment Trusts regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
**Impact Analysis**
**CEOs of All Pension Funds & NPS Trust**
*Impact:* The document outlines the investment guidelines they must follow for managing UPS/NPS/APY schemes. This master circular will guide their investment decisions and ensure compliance with the PFRDA regulations.
*Action Required:* Review and implement the new investment guidelines, update investment policies, and ensure adherence to the regulations outlined in the circular.
**Pension Funds and NPS Trust**
*Impact:* Required to manage pension schemes according to the updated investment guidelines issued by the PFRDA.
*Action Required:* Ensure compliance with investment limits, diversification requirements, and rating criteria specified in the circular; control and optimize cost of scheme management.
**Subscribers of UPS/NPS/APY Schemes**
*Impact:* Ultimately affected by the investment decisions made by the Pension Funds based on these guidelines. The goal is to manage the schemes for their benefit.
*Action Required:* No direct action is required, but subscribers should be aware of the changes and understand how they may impact their investments.
Key Entities Referenced
PFRDA Act, 2013: The primary legislation governing pension funds in India.
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA): The regulator of pension funds in India, responsible for issuing this master circular and the PFRDA (Pension Fund) Regulations, 2015.
NPS Trust: Entity responsible for monitoring investment decisions of Pension Funds and preparing list of stocks.
UPS/NPS/APY Schemes: Umbrella term for various pension schemes including National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Central/State Government schemes (default), Corporate CG, NPS Lite, and APY Fund Scheme, which are the subject of investment guidelines in the Master Circular.
PFRDA (Pension Fund) Regulations, 2015: Regulations that stipulate the pension funds shall manage the pension schemes in accordance with the investment guidelines issued by the Authority.
PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOP
MASTER CIRCULAR
PFRDA/Master Circular/2025/02/PF-01 Date: 28% March 2025
To
The CEOs of All Pension Funds & NPS Trust
Sir/Madam,
SUBJECT: Master Circular on Investment Guidelines for UPS/NPS/APY Schemes-
Central/ State Government (default), Corporate CG, NPS Lite, Atal Pension Yojana
and APY Fund Scheme.
1. This Master Circular is being issued in exercise of powers of the Authority conferred
under sub-clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 14 read with Section 23 of the PFRDA
Act, 2013 and sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 14 of PFRDA (Pension Fund)
Regulations, 2015 as amended from time to time.
2. This master circular supersedes the earlier master circular dated 18.08.2023 and the
circulars/ letters mentioned in the Appendix.
Yours sincerely,
(Mono NIG Phukon)
Chief General ManagerPart | — Introduction
Part Il — General Guidelines
Part Ill — Investment Guidelines
Part IV — List of circulars/ letters consolidated in the Master CircularPart | — Introduction
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Pension Fund) Regulations,
2015, as amended from time to time, stipulate that the pension funds shall manage the
pension schemes in accordance with the investment guidelines issued by the Authority for
the benefit of the subscribers.
Part Il— General Guidelines
i. The compliance obligation of the intermediary/entity shall not be confined merely to the
Master Circular bul, also the applicable laws.
ii. This Master Circular shall take effect from 01st April 2025 but shall be without prejudice
to their (earlier issued circulars) operation and effect, for the period when they were in
force, until them being subsumed under the Master Circular. Based on the above caveat,
Part IV containing the list of circulars/ letters consolidated in the Master Circular shall stand
rescinded with the issuance of this Master Circular, such that they are subsumed in the
Master Circular and for all purpose and intent, remain operative, with no break of continuity.
iii. Notwithstanding such rescission of any circular, upon their merger in the Master Circular,
or otherwise, anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken,
or to be taken hereafter, under the circulars/ letters now rescinded (for the period of their
operation) shall be construed to have been validly taken as if the said circulars are in full
force and effect and shall remain unaffected by their rescission, in any manner.
iv. The previous operation of the rescinded circulars or anything duly done or suffered
thereunder, any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred, any
penalty, any order passed, any violation committed, any investigation, legal proceedings
pending in terms of the circular (now rescinded), shall be treated as if the circulars are in
full force and effect, and shall remain unaffected by their rescission, in any manner.
Part lil — Investment GuidelinesPercentage
Category Investment Pattern amount to be
invested
(i) Government Securities and Related Investments: Upto 65%
(a) Government Securities,
(b) Other Securities {‘Securities' as defined in section 2(h) of
the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956} the principal
whereof and interest whereon is fully and unconditionally
guaranteed by the Central Government or any State
Government and also includes fresh issuance of “Govt. of
India- Fully Serviced Bonds” issued by Public Sector
Undertakings under Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR)
Provided that the portfolio invested under this sub-category of
securities shall not exceed 10% of the total Govt. Securities
portfolio in the concerned Scheme at any point of time.
(c) Units of Mutual Funds set up as dedicated funds for
investment in Govt. securities and regulated by the Securities
and Exchange Board of India
Provided that the portfolio invested in such mutual funds shall
not exceed 5% of the total Govt. Securities portfolio in the
concerned Scheme at any point of time.
(ii) Debt Instruments and Related Investments: Upto 45%
(a) Listed (or proposed to be listed in case of fresh issue) debt
securities issued by bodies corporate, including banks and
public financial institutions (Public Financial Institutions’ as
defined under Section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013).
(b) Listed (or proposed fo be listed in case of initial offering)
Basel Ill Tier-1 bonds issued by scheduled commercial banks
under RBI Guidelines
Provided that the portfolio invested in this sub-category shall
not exceed 2% of the concerned Scheme AUM at any point of
time.
No investment in this sub-category in initial offerings shall
exceed 20% of the initial offering. Further, at any point of time,
the aggregate value of Tier | bonds of any particular Bank held
4Percentage
Category Investment Pattern
amount to be
invested
across all schemes managed by the Pension Fund shall not
exceed 20% of such Tier | Bonds issued by that Bank.
(c) Rupee Bonds issued by institutions of the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International
Finance Corporation and Asian Development Bank.
(d) Term Deposit receipts of more than one year duration
issued by scheduled commercial banks, which meets the
regulatory requirement of Networth and Capital to Risk
Weighted Asset Ratio as stipulated by Reserve Bank of India
and additionally satisfy the following conditions on the basis of
published annual report(s) for the most recent years, as
required to have been published by them under the law:
(i) having declared profit in the immediately preceding three
financial years;
(ii) having net non-performing assets of not more than 4% of
the net advances;
Provided that such Term Deposits with any one scheduled
commercial bank including its subsidiaries should not
exceed 10% of the concerned Scheme AUM at any point of
time.
(e) Units of Debt Schemes of Mutual Funds as regulated by
Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Provided these schemes shall exclude schemes of mutual
funds having investment in short term debt securities with
Macaulay Duration of less than 1 year.
Provided further that the portfolio invested in such mutual
funds shall not exceed 5% of the total debt instruments
portfolio in the concerned scheme at any point of time.
(f) Debt securities issued by Real Estate Investment Trusts
(REIT) regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of
India.Percentage
Category Investment Pattern amount to be
invested
(g) Debt securities issued by Infrastructure Investment Trusts
(InVIT) regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of
India.
(h) The following infrastructure related debt instruments:
(i) Listed (or proposed lo be listed in case of fresh issue) debt
securities issued by body corporates engaged mainly in the
business of development or operation and maintenance of
infrastructure, or development, construction or finance of
oe -L-1.| i M
ciOTrGadpie MOUSTNG.
Further, this category shall also include securities issued by
Indian Railways or any of the body corporates in which it has
majority shareholding.
This category shall also include securities issued by any
Authority of the Government which is not a body corporate and
has been formed mainly with the purpose of promoting
development of infrastructure.
It is further clarified that any structural obligation undertaken
or letter of comfort issued by the Central Government, Indian
Railways or any Authority of the Central Government, for any
security issued by a body corporate engaged in the business
of infrastructure, which notwithstanding the terms in the letter |
of comfort or the obligation undertaken, fails to enable its
inclusion as security covered under category (i) (b) above, shall
be treated as an eligible security under this sub-category.
(ii) Infrastructure and affordable housing Bonds issued by any
scheduled commercial bank, which meets the conditions
specified in category (ii)(d) above.
(iit) Listed (or proposed to be listed in case of fresh issue)
securities issued by Infrastructure Debt Funds operating as a
Non-Banking Financial Company and regulated by Reserve
Bank of India.
(iv) Listed (or proposed to be listed in case of fresh issue) units
issued by Infrastructure Debt Funds operating as a MutualPercentage
Category Investment Pattern
amount to be
invested
Fund and regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of
India.
It is clarified that, barring exceptions mentioned above, for the
purpose of this sub-category (h), a sector shall be treated as
part of infrastructure as per Government of India's
harmonized master-list of infrastructure sub-sectors.
(i) Listed or proposed to be listed credit rated Municipal bonds.
eee (j) Investment in units of Debt ETeeF ees issued by Government
of India specifically meant to invest in bonds issued by
Government owned entities such as CPSEs, CPSUs/CPFls
and other Government organizations, etc.
Provided that the portfolio invested in such Debt ETFs shall
not exceed 5% of total debt instruments portfolio in the
concerned scheme at any point of time.
Provided that the investment under sub-categories (a), (b) and
(h) (i) to (iv) of this category (ii) shall be made in such
securities with atleast AA rating or equivalent in the applicable
rating scale from at least two credit rating agencies registered
with Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Provided further that in case of the sub-category (h)(iii) the
ratings shall relate to the Non-Banking Financial Company
and for the sub-category (h)(iv) the ratings shall relate to the
investment in eligible securities of the Infrastructure Debt
Fund.
Provided further that under sub-category (h), Pension Fund
can make investment in infrastructure companies rated not
less than ‘A’ along with an Expected Loss Rating of ‘EL1’
Further though investments under this category (ii) require
atleast AA rating as specified above, Pension Fund can invest
in securities having investment grade rating below ‘AA’,
provided that, investments in securities rated from ‘AA-’ to ‘A’
shall not exceed 10% of the total debt instruments portfolio in
the concerned scheme while making such investment. Any
investments in securities rated below 'AA' in excess of 10% of
the total debt instruments portfolio in the concerned scheme,
7Percentage
Category Investment Pattern amount to be
invested
the risk of default for such securities shall be fully covered with
Credit Default Swaps (CDSs) issued under Guidelines of the
Reserve Bank of India and purchased along with the
underlying securities. Purchase amount of such Swaps shall
be considered to be investment made under this category.
Provided further that if the securities/entities have been rated
by more than two rating agencies, the two lowest of all the
ratings shall be considered.
For sub-category (c), a single rating of AA or above by a
domestic or international rating agency will be acceptable.
For sub-category (a) and (c), the investments made in debt
securities and Rupee Bonds with residual maturity period of
less than three years on the date of investment shall be limited
to 10% of the investments made in debt instruments portfolio
during the preceding 12 months in the concerned Scheme.
In case of securities where the principal is to be repaid in a
single payout, the maturity of the securities shall mean
residual maturity. In case the principal is to be repaid in more
than one payout, then the maturity of the securities shall be
calculated on the basis of weighted average maturity of the
security.
For sub-category (f) and (g), the Trust should be rated as ‘AAA’
or equivalent in the applicable rating scale by at least two credit
rating agencies registered with SEBI. The rating of Sponsor
floating the Trust should be ‘AA’ or equivalent in the applicable
rating scale from at least two credit rating agencies registered
with SEBI.
For sub-category (i), the Municipal Bonds should be rated
‘AAA’ or equivalent in the applicable rating scale by at least two
credit rating agencies registered with SEBI.
It is clarified that debt securities covered under category (i)(b)
above are excluded from this category (ii).
(iii) Short-term Debt Instruments and Related Investments: Upto 10%
(a) Money market instruments comprising of Treasury Bills,
Commercial Paper and Certificates of DepositPercentage
Category Investment Pattern
amount to be
invested
Provided that investment in Commercial Paper issued by body
corporates shall be made only in such instruments which have
minimum rating of A1+ by at least two credit rating agencies
registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Provided further that if Commercial Paper has been rated by |
more than two rating agencies, the two lowest of the ratings
shall be considered
Provided further that investment in this sub-category in
Certificates of Deposit of up to one year duration issued by
scheduled commercial banks, will require the bank to satisfy all
conditions mentioned in category (ii) (d) above.
(b) Term Deposit Receipts of upto one year duration issued
by such scheduled commercial banks which satisfy all
conditions mentioned in category (ii) (d) above.
(c) Investments in units of a debt scheme of a mutual fund as
regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India where
investment is in short term securities with Macaulay duration of
less than 1 year viz. Overnight fund, Liquid Fund, Ultra Short
Duration Fund and Low Duration Fund with the condition that the
average total asset under management of AMC for the most
recent six-month period should be at least Rs 5000 crore.
(d) Investments in Government Securities as Lender in
Triparty Repo conducted over the Triparty Repo (Dealing)
System (TREPS) provided by RBI through Clearing
Corporation of india Limited (CCIL).
(iv) Equities and Related Investments: Upto 25%
(a) Shares of body corporates listed on Bombay Stock
Exchange (BSE) or National Stock Exchange (NSE), which
are in top 200 stocks in terms of full market capitalization as
on the date of investment.
Provided that a pension fund can hold stocks beyond the top
200 stocks, upto 2% of the equity AUM in respective schemes,
if such stock is a constituent of the top 250 stocks prepared by
NPS Trust.
(b) Units of equity schemes of mutual funds regulated by the
Securities and Exchange Board of India, which have minimum
65% of their investment in shares of body corporates listed on
BSE or NSE
Provided that investment in such mutual funds shall not exceed
5% of the total equity portfolio in the concerned scheme at any
9Percentage
Cateyory Investment Pattern amount to be
invested
point of time and the fresh investment in such mutual funds
shall not exceed 5% of the fresh inflows invested in the year.
(c) Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)/Index Funds regulated by
Securities and Exchange Board of India that replicate the
portfolio of either BSE Sensex Index or NSE Nifty 50 Index.
(d) Exchange Traded Funds regulated by Securities and
Exchange Board of India that are constructed specifically for
disinvestment of shareholding of the Government of India in
body corporates.
(e) Exchange Traded Derivatives regulated by Securities and
Exchange Board of India having the underlying of any
permissible listed stock or any of the permissible indices, with
the sole purpose of hedging
Provided that the portfolio invested in derivatives in terms of
contract value shall not exceed 5% of the total equity portfolio
in the concerned scheme at any point of time.
(f) Initial Public Offering (IPO), Follow on Public Offer (FPO)
and Offer for Sale (OFS) of companies, approved by Securities
and Exchange Board of India.
Upto 5%
(v) Asset Backed, Trust Structured and Miscellaneous
Investments:
(a) Commercial mortgage based securities or Residential
mortgage based securities.
(b) Units issued by Real Estate Investment Trusts regulated by
the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
(c) Asset Backed Securities regulated by the Securities and
Exchange Board of India.
(d) Units of Infrastructure Investment Trusts regulated by the
Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Provided that investment under this category (v) shall only be
in listed instruments or fresh issues that are proposed to be
listed.
Provided further that investment under this category shall be
made only in such securities which have minimum 'AA' or
equivalent rating in the applicable rating scale from at least
two credit rating agencies registered by the Securities and
Exchange Board of India.
Provided further that in case of the sub-categories (b) and (qd),
the Trust should have minimum rating of ‘AAA' or equivalent
10Percentage
Category Investment Pattern amount to be
invested
rating in the applicable rating scale from at least two credit
rating agencies registered by Securities and Exchange Board
of India and the Sponsor entity floating the Trust should have
minimum rating of 'AA' or equivalent in the applicable rating
scale from at least two credit rating agencies registered with
Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Provided further that if the securities/entities have been rated
by more than two rating agencies, the two lowest of the ratings
shall be considered.
. Inflows to the aforesaid Schemes will be invested in the permissible categories stated
above in a manner consistent with the specified maximum permissible percentage
amounts to be invested in each such investment category, while also complying with
such other restrictions as made applicable tor various sub-categories of the permissible
investments.
Inflows to the schemes shall be the sum of un-invested funds from the past and receipts
like contributions to the schemes, dividend/interest/commission, maturity amounts/ sale
proceeds of earlier investments etc., as reduced by redemptions and applicable
charges.
At any given point of time the percentage of assets under each category should not
exceed the maximum limit prescribed for that category and also should not exceed the
maximum limit prescribed for the sub-categories, if any. However, asset switch
because of any RBI mandated Government debt switch would not be covered under
this restriction.
. If for any of the instruments mentioned above, the rating falls below the minimum
permissible grade prescribed for investment in that instrument when it was purchased,
as confirmed by one credit rating agency, the option of exit shall be considered and
exercised, as appropriate, in a manner that is in the best interest of the subscribers. On
these guidelines coming into effect, the above prescribed investment pattern shall be
achieved separately for each successive financial year through timely and appropriate
planning.
. The prudent investment of the inflows/funds within the prescribed pattern is the fiduciary
responsibility of the Pension Fund. NPS Trust shall monitor the investment decisions of the
Pension Funds with utmost due diligence.
. The Pension Fund and NPS Trust will take suitable steps to control and optimize the
cost of management of the schemes.
. The NPS Trust and Pension Fund will ensure that the process of investment is
accountable and transparent. It should be ensured that due diligence is carried out to
11assess risks associated with any particular asset before investment is made by the
Pension Fund in that particular asset and also during the period over which it is held in the
scheme. The requirement of ratings as mandated in this circular merely intends to limit
the risk associated with investments at a broad and general level. Accordingly, it should
not be construed in any manner as an endorsement for investment in any asset
satisfying the minimum prescribed rating or a substitute for the due diligence prescribed
for being carried out by the Pension Fund.
10.For equity investments through stock brokers, the amount of brokerage that can be
debited to the schemes shall not exceed 0.03% of the equity transaction amount
inclusive of stamp duty and applicable taxes.
11.Investments in Initial Public Offer (IPO), Follow on Public Offer (FPO) and Offer for Sale
(OFS) are permitted subject to fulfilment of the following conditions: -
a. Equity offering through IPO are proposed to be “listed” in BSE or NSE and full float
market capitalization calculated at lower band of IPO issue price should be greater
than the market capitalization of the 200 company as per the list of Top 200 stocks
provided by NPS Trust (last published).
b. Shares offered under Follow on Public Offer (FPO)/Offer for Sale (OFS) should be
listed on BSE or NSE and constituent in the list of Top 200 stocks provided by NPS
Trust (last published).
c. Board approved Investment Policy of Pension Funds should contain detailed
guidelines/procedure for investments in IPO. Investments in Equity Shares through
IPO/FPO or OFS shall be reported to NPS Trust within 30 days from the date of
investment.
d. In case a Pension Fund has invested through IPO and the prescribed market
capitalization condition does not get fulfilled post listing of the IPO or it fails to be in
the latest published list of Top 200 stocks provided by NPS Trust, a time period of
maximum one year from the date of listing shall be provided to the Pension Fund
for making a decision on selling such shares.
13. The following restrictions/filters are being enforced to reduce concentration risks in the
scheme investments:
(a) NPS Equity investments shall be restricted to 5% of the ‘paid up equity capital’* of
all the sponsor** group*** companies or 5% of the total AUM under Equity portfolio,
whichever is lower, in each respective scheme and 10% of the ‘paid up equity capital’
of all the non-sponsor group companies or 10% of the total AUM under Equity portfolio,
whichever is lower in each respective scheme.
“Paid up share capital’: Paid up share capital means market value of paid up and
subscribed equity capital.
**“Sponsor shall mean an entity described as “Sponsor” under Pension Fund
Regulatory and Development Authority (Pension Fund) Regulations, 2015 and
subsequent amendments thereto.
12**“Group’ means two or more individuals, association of individuals, firms, trusts,
trustees or bodies corporate, or any combination thereof, which exercises, or is
established to be in a position to exercise, significant influence and / or control, directly
or indirectly, over any associate as defined in Accounting Standard (AS), body
corporate, firm or trust, or use of common brand names, Associated persons, as may
be stipulated by the Authority.
Explanation: Use of common brand names in conjunction with other parameters of
significant influence and / or control whether direct or indirect shall be reckoned for
determination for inclusion as forming part of the group or otherwise.
All Pension Funds shall publish on their respective website a list of their group
companies and those of their sponsor.
(b) NPS Debt investments have been restricted to 5% of the ‘net-worth’’ of all the
sponsor group companies or 5% of the total AUM in debt instruments portfolio
‘(excluding Govt. securities) whichever is lower in each respective scheme and 10% of
the net-worth of all the non-sponsor group companies or 10% of the total AUM in debt
instruments portfolio (excluding Govt. securities) whichever is lower, in each respective
scheme.
‘Net Worth: Net worth would comprise of Paid-up capital plus Free Reserves including
Share Premium but excluding Revaluation Reserves, plus Investment Fluctuation
Reserve and credit balance in Profit & Loss account, less debit balance in Profit and
Loss account, Accumulated Losses and Intangible Assets.
(c) Investment exposure to a single Industry shall be restricted to 15% of AUM under
all Schemes managed by each Pension Fund as per Level-5 of NIC classification.
Investment in scheduled commercial bank FDs would be exempted from exposure to
Banking Sector.
(d) For investments made in Index Funds/ETF/Debt MF, the exposure limits under such
Index Funds/ETF/Debt MF shall not be considered for compliance of the prescribed
Industry Concentration, Sponsor/ Non Sponsor group norms under these guidelines.
(e) Investment exposure norms for InviTs/REITs shall be as under:
i. Cumulative Investments in Units and Debt Instruments of InvITs and REITs shall
not exceed 3% of total AUM of the Pension Fund at any point of time.
ii. Pension Fund shall not invest more than 15% of the total outstanding debt
instruments issued by single InvIT/REIT issuer.
iii. Pension Fund shall not invest more than 5% of the Units issued by a single
InvIT/REIT issue.
14. The value of funds invested by Pension Fund in any mutual funds mentioned in any of
the categories or ETFs or Index Funds shall be reduced from the respective scheme
AUM before computation of investment management fees payable to them, to avoid
double incidence of costs. However, investments made by Pension Funds in
13ETFs/Index Funds for the purpose of disinvestment of shareholding of the Government
of India in body corporates, Bharat Bond ETF/Debt ETF issued by Government of India
in respect of bonds issued by CPSEs, CPSUs, CPFls and other Government
organizations and all short duration mutual funds (liquid mutual fund, overnight fund
ultra-short duration fund etc.) as permitted by SEBI, would be eligible for payment of
investment management fee.
15.In APY Fund Scheme, there shall not be any deduction of NPS Trust charges/fee as
the scheme is managed for a specific purpose.
16.Pension Fund making investments in the shares of body corporates listed on Bombay
Stock Exchange (BSE) or National Stock Exchange (NSE), which are in top 200
stocks, would be required to adopt the list of stocks prepared by NPS Trust in this
ii. In case a stock is listed on only one of the recognized stock exchanges, the full
market capitalization of that stock on such an exchange will be considered.
ili. The list of stocks under (i) and (ii) above, would be circulated by NPS Trust and the
same would be updated every six months based on the data as on the end of June
and December of each year. The list shall be circulated by NPS Trust within 5
calendar days from the end of the 6 months period.
iv. While preparing the single consolidated list of stocks, average full ‘market
capitalization of the previous six month of the stocks shall be considered.
v. Subsequent to any updation in the list, Pension Funds would have to rebalance their
portfolios (if required) in line with updated list, within a period of six months. The
decision to hold such stocks in the portfolio shall have to be approved by the
Investment Committee of the Pension Fund and also to be informed to the Board of
Pension Fund. NPS Trust shall monitor the compliance of the above provision and
inform PFRDA at regular interval.
17. Transfer of securities within schemes or inter scheme are allowed only if such transfers
are done at the prevailing market price for traded instruments or at the valuation price
for non-traded instruments and the securities so transferred are in conformity with the
investment objective of the scheme to which such transfer has been made. Such
transfers may be allowed in following scenarios:
i. To meet liquidity requirement in a scheme in case of unanticipated redemption
pressure
li. To adjust securities received through corporate action.
The inter scheme transfers are allowed only on exceptional basis. The Pension Fund
shall inform NPS Trust and Authority upon exercise of this option.
1418.Pension Fund are permitted to keep securities as margin with the CCIL for margin
requirements for investment in Government securities and Triparty Repo (Dealing)
System (TREPS).
19.For National Pension Scheme Tier Il - Tax Saver Scheme, 2020 (NPS-TTS) which is
available for subscription only by Central Government employees, the following
investments limits will apply;
Asset Class Limits
Equity (as per Asset Class E of NPS Tier-Il) 10% - 25%
Debt (as per Asset Class C & G NPS Tier-ll) Upto 90%
Cash/Money Market, Liquid Mutual Funds* Upto 20%
* this limit shall be applicable only after the scheme corpus reaches Rs 5 crore.
20. The prescribed limits in to different asset classes such as G-Sec, Corporate Bonds,
Equity, Money Market Instruments, and ABS & Misc. Investments have increased from
140% to 150%, giving flexibility to the Pension Funds to choose among the instruments
based on their independent risk - return analytic framework in the interest of the
subscribers. It is, therefore, desirable that Pension Funds may choose to different asset-
classes exposure gradually and in a phased manner based on their own risk assessment.
15Part IV — List of circulars consolidated in the Master Circular
S.No Circular Name Circular Date Circular No.
Investment Guidelines 15-10-2013 PFRDA/2013/16/PFM/4
Accounting Policy for Inflation 11-12-2013 PFRDA/2013/19/PFM/5
linked Bonds
Revision of Investment 29-01-2014 PFRDA/2014/02/PFM/1
Guidelines for NPS Schemes
Investment in Basel -lll 22-09-2014 PFRDA/2014/06/PFM/04
compliant Additional Tier |
Bonds.
Clarification on Revision of 22-01-2015 PFRDA/2015/05/PF
Investment Guidelines for
NPS Scheme issued on
29.01.2014
M/03
Amendment _ to Revised 31-03-2015 PFRDA/2015/12/PFM/06
Investment Guidelines for
NPS schemes.
Investment guidelines for 03-06-2015 PFRDA/2015/16/PF
NPS Schemes (Applicable to
Scheme CG, Scheme SG
Corporate CG and NPS Lite
schemes of NPS and Atal
Pension Yojana) w.e.f. 10%
June, 2015.
M/7
Advisory for all Pension 14-02-2017 Advisory
Funds and Custodian
regarding investments _ in
Mutual Fund schemes
Clarification with respect to 15-05-2017 PFRDA/6/PFM/7/1
advisory for all the Pension
Funds and Custodian
regarding investments — in
Mutual Fund schemes.
10. Revised rating Criteria for 08-05-2018 PFRDA/2018/02/PF/02
investments under NPS
Schemes -reg.
11. Change in Investment 20-08-2018 PFRDA/2018/56/PF/2
Guidelines for NPS Schemes
w.r.t. investment in Equity
Mutual funds by Pension
Funds
12. Clarifications on Circular No. 02-11-2018 PFRDA/2018/60/PF/3
PFRDA/ 2018/56/PF/2 dated
20" August, 2018 issued by
the Authority for Change in
Investment Guidelines for
NPS Schemes
13. Amendment to the 25-03-2019 PFRDA/2019/8/SUP-PF/2
investment Guidelines
(Applicable to Scheme CG,
16Scheme SG, Corporate CG
and NPS Lite schemes of
NPS and Atal Pension
Yojana)
14. Change in Investment 20-11-2019 PFRDA/2019/22/REG-PF/3
Guidelines for NPS Schemes
- permitting Pension Funds to
invest in Overnight Funds and
all such short duration funds
as may be permitted by SEBI
from time to time
15. Change in Investment 29-06-2020 PFRDA/2020/26/REG-PF/2
Guidelines for NPS Schemes
and other pension schemes
administered by PFRDA
16. Investment Guidelines - 2021 20-07-2021 PFRDA/2021/28/REG-PF/2
for NPS Schemes (Applicable
to Scheme CG, Scheme SG,
Corporate CG and NPS Lite
scheme of NPS and Atal
Pension Yojana) w.e.f. 20%
July 2021.
17. Guidelines for Investment by 27-07-2021 PFRDA/2021/32/REG-PF/4
Pension Funds in an Initial
Public Offer (IPO), Follow on
Public Offer (FPO) and/or
Offer for Sale (OFS) under
National Pension System
(NPS) and other Pension
Schemes
regulated/administered by
the Authority -reg.
18. Clarification on Guidelines for 16-09-2021 PFRDA/2021/39/REG-PF/5
investment by Pension Funds
in IPO/FPO and/or OFS
issued vide Circular dated
27.07.2021 -reg.
19. Change in Operational 30-11-2021 PFRDA/2021/47/REG-PF/09
Guidelines for National
Pension Scheme Tier Il- Tax
Saver Scheme, 2020 (NPS —
TTS) -reg.
20. Change in Investment 30-11-2021 PFRDA/2021/45/REG-PF/07
Guidelines-2021 for NPS
Schemes (Applicable to
Scheme CG, Scheme SG,
Corporate CG and NPS Lite
schemes of NPS and Atal
Pension Yojana) -reg.
21. Change in Investment 28-04-2022 PFRDA/2022/09/REG-PF/01
Guidelines-2021 for NPS
Schemes (Applicable _ to
17Scheme CG, Scheme SG,
Corporate CG and NPS Lite
schemes of NPS and Atal
Pension Yojana) -reg.
22. Change in Investment 18-11-2022 PFRDA/2022/33/REG-PF/5
Guidelines-2021 for NPS
Schemes (Applicable to.
Scheme CG, Scheme SG,
Corporate CG and NPS Lite
schemes of NPS and Atal
Pension Yojana) -reg.
23. Change in Operational 18-11-2022 PFRDA/2022/35/REG-PF/7
Guidelines for National
Pension Scheme Tier Il- Tax
saver Scheme, 2020 (NPS -
TTS) -reg.
24. Permission for keeping of 20-04-2023 PFRDA/2023/13/REG-PF/01
securities as margin with the
CCIL for margin requirements
-req.
PFRDA/ MASTERCIRCULAR/
25. Master Circular on 18-08-2023
Investment Guidelines — for 2023/01/PF-01
NPS/APY Schemes- Central
Government, State
Government, Corporate CG,
NPS Lite, Atal Pension
Yojana and APY Fund
Scheme
Investment Guidelines and 19-03-2023 Letter no.
Asset Allocation for APY PFRDA/16/3/29/0123/201 7-
Fund Scheme REG-PF
18