What is PRAN Number? Meaning, Format & How to Find It

If you’re enrolled in the National Pension System (NPS) or planning to invest in it, understanding what is PRAN number is becomes essential.

Whether you’re trying to know your PRAN number by name and date of birth, or simply want to learn how it’s generated, this guide will help you with all the details.

What Does PRAN Stand For?

PRAN stands for Permanent Retirement Account Number. It is a 12-digit unique identification number assigned to every subscriber of the National Pension System (NPS), regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

Why is PRAN Number Important?

Your PRAN number is the key to accessing and managing your NPS retirement account. Here’s why it’s important:

Tracks your pension contributions, withdrawals, and balance.
Required for managing investments in Tier I and Tier II NPS accounts.
Needed for generating statements and updating personal details.
Without PRAN, you cannot log in to the NSDL NPS portal.

PRAN Number Format (12-Digit Structure)

The PRAN number is a 12-digit alphanumeric code, unique to each individual. It is generated once your NPS registration is approved and cannot be changed throughout your lifetime.

Example Format: 110012345678

The first digits often represent the registration authority or region.
The rest are system-generated to uniquely identify the subscriber.

How to Get a PRAN Number?

You can apply for a PRAN number both online and offline:

Online Method (via NSDL or eNPS portal)

Visit the eNPS website.
Click on “National Pension System – Subscribe Online”.
Enter your Aadhaar or PAN number.
Fill in personal and bank details.
Upload KYC documents.
Make your initial contribution.
Upon approval, your 12-digit PRAN number will be generated.

Offline Method

Fill the CS-S1 form available at Points of Presence (POPs) such as banks or post offices.
Submit with passport-size photo and KYC documents.
After processing, you’ll receive your PRAN card by post.

How to Find Your PRAN Number?

If you’ve already registered under NPS but forgot or lost your number, here are all the ways you can know your PRAN number online:

🔍 1. Know Your PRAN Number by Name and Date of Birth

You can retrieve your PRAN number using your full name and date of birth:

Visit the NSDL CRA portal.
Click on “Forgot PRAN” or “Know Your PRAN”.
Enter your Name and DOB.
Submit the details to view your PRAN number.

2. Know Your PRAN Number by Mobile Number

If your mobile number is linked to your NPS account:

Use the “Know Your PRAN by Mobile” option on the portal.
Enter OTP received on your registered number.
Your PRAN number will be displayed.

3. Know Your PRAN Number by Aadhaar Number

You can also search your PRAN using your Aadhaar:

Go to the eNPS portal.
Click “Recover PRAN”.
Select the Aadhaar-based search option.
Enter Aadhaar number and OTP to retrieve details.

4. Know Your PRAN Number by PAN Number

If your PRAN was generated using PAN during registration:

Use the PAN-based search option on NSDL.
Enter PAN and register DOB.
View your PRAN number on the screen.

5. Know Your PRAN Number Without Date of Joining

If you don’t remember your date of joining:

Use alternative methods such as Aadhaar, PAN, or mobile number.
NSDL also allows search by name and other personal credentials.

6. PRAN Number Search by Name Only

In some cases, if you only remember your full name:

Visit the PRAN search page on CRA-NSDL.
Enter your name, father’s name, and region (if available).
The system may return matching results with PRANs.

Forgot PRAN Number? Here’s How to Recover It

If you’ve completely forgotten your PRAN:

Visit the NSDL CRA login page.
Click on “Forgot PRAN”.
Use any of the following:
- Name & DOB
- Aadhaar
- PAN
- Mobile Number
Receive an OTP and verify your identity.
Your PRAN number will be shown on screen or sent to your mobile/email.

Common FAQs About PRAN Number

❓ How do I find my PRAN number online?

Use NSDL’s portal to find it via Aadhaar, PAN, mobile number, or name & DOB.

❓ Can I know my PRAN number using Aadhaar or PAN?

Yes, both Aadhaar and PAN-based PRAN search options are available.

❓ Is PRAN the same as PPAN?

No. PRAN is for NPS subscribers; PPAN (Permanent Pension Account Number) may refer to other schemes, especially government pensions.

❓ Can I get a new PRAN number?

No. You can only have one PRAN number for life. Multiple PRANs are not allowed.

Final Words

The PRAN number is a vital part of your financial future under the National Pension System. It helps you monitor and manage your retirement corpus efficiently. Whether you’ve just signed up for NPS or lost your credentials, knowing how to find your PRAN number by name, Aadhaar, PAN, or mobile number can save time and effort.

Keep your 12-digit PRAN safe, and if you’ve forgotten it, just head over to the NSDL CRA website and retrieve it using one of the methods above.