Atal Pension Yojana is a Government initiative launched in 2015-16. This social security scheme aims to offer pensions to workers in the unorganised sector after their retirement. Under this scheme, the Government encourages the candidates to make monthly contributions. It helps secure financial stability at 60 by receiving a monthly pension ranging from ₹1000 to 5000.

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Are you looking to apply for Atal Pension Yojana online? So let's delve into it without any delay.

Follow this step-wise guide to apply for this scheme with ease:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the bank where you hold a savings account. Log in with your net banking credentials.
• Step 2: Now download the Atal Pension Yojana application form.
• Step 3: Fill in the form with relevant details. It includes bank account details, personal information and contact number. Also, enter your Aadhaar card details.
• Step 4: Add the nominee and enter whether you are entitled under social schemes and an existing taxpayer. Now, opt for the pension scheme ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000.
• Step 5: Submit the duly signed form online. You can directly pay to APY from your net banking account. Or else, link your account to the APY. It ensures that a fixed amount will be auto-debited monthly.

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Once you have learned to apply for Atal Pension Yojana online, look at how you can enrol for the same offline.

• Visit your nearest nationalised bank eligible to offer the benefits of this scheme. Collect the form and fill it in with the relevant details.
• Check and submit the form along with attached photocopies of the Aadhaar card and other documents. You will receive an acknowledgement after a successful receipt of the form.

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The Atal Pension Yojana Application Form comprises the following sections. Take a look to avoid confusion while applying:

Section 1

Enter the bank details like account number, bank name, etc.

Section 2

Fill in the personal details like name, marital status, contact number, and Aadhaar card number etc.

Section 3

Choose among the pension options, including ₹1,000, ₹2,000,₹3,000,₹4,000 and ₹5,000.

The bank representative will fill in the monthly contribution section. The form contains an "Acknowledgement" segment. A bank official fills and signs it once you submit the application form.

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Following are the documents required for Atal Pension Yojana. Take a look:

• Identity proof (Aadhaar card)
• Address proof (Voter ID card, Aadhaar card etc.)
• Documents to verify date of birth (SSLC Certificate)
• Account number of your savings bank

You also must have an active contact number through which you can receive confirmation and other details.

Here are the 4 Atal Pension Yojana eligibility criteria to meet to avail of the scheme:

• All Indian citizens are eligible to invest in this scheme. Although, the age limit in Atal Pension Yojana is between 18 years to 40 years.
• If you have availed for Swavalamban Yojana, you will automatically avail the benefits of this scheme.
• As an applicant, you must have a savings account with a bank or a post office account.
• You must not have an existing APY account.
• If you have availed of Swavalamban Yojana, you will be transferred to the Atal Pension Yojana scheme.
• An Aadhaar card is an important document required for Atal Pension Yojana.

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You also need to authorise the bank to link your Aadhaar with your pension account.

Under this scheme, the Government co-contributes 50% compared to the candidate’s total contribution. Although there are few social security schemes under which enrolled individuals cannot receive the same. They are as follows:

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• Assam Tea Plantation Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision, 1955.
• Employee's Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952.
• Jammu Kashmir Employee's Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1961.
• The Coal Mines Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1948.

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To check the status of your total contribution in the Atal Pension Yojana scheme, log in via the NPS website or mobile application. Use your Permanent Retirement Account Number while logging in on the application. But you can also enter your bank account number while you log in. 

Follow the steps to track your APY contribution:

• Visit the NPS's official website.
• As the page redirects, choose With or Without  PRAN.
• If you select the With PRAN, enter the PRAN details and bank account number.
• If you opted for Without PRAN, enter your name, date of birth and bank account number.
• Now select APY e-PRAN and Master details View.
• Fill in the captcha code and submit.

If you want to access it through the APY and NPS Lite application, you only need PRAN and your registered mobile number to log in.

If you don't have access to the internet, you can directly visit the bank to know these details.

Investing for your old age is a vital step towards financial planning. So, take advantage of the Atal Pension Yojana scheme. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority reported that more than 520.58 people have enrolled in this scheme till March 2023. Remember to keep all these pointers in mind while you apply for the Atal pension yojana online and offline.

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