The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on June 17, 2026, issued circular on Audit of Points of Presence performing activities of Atal Pension Yojana (PoPs-APY).
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has mandated that all PoPs handling Atal Pension Yojana (APY) activities must get their accounts and processes audited by an independent external Chartered Accountant or audit firm, in line with operational guidelines issued on February 27, 2026. The eligibility criteria for appointment of auditors are specified separately.
Under the revised framework (applicable for April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), PoPs are categorized based on their subscriber base. PoPs with less than 1,00,000 subscribers are required to conduct audits once in three financial years, while those with 1,00,000 or more subscribers must conduct audits annually. PoPs with fewer than 1,000 APY accounts are exempt, but once they cross this threshold, they must submit audit reports for all previous years.
The audit scope includes evaluation of internal controls, compliance with PFRDA laws and regulations, adherence to KYC norms under the PML Act, and data security measures. PoPs are also required to maintain proper records (including electronic records), and submit audit reports in the prescribed format. Non-compliance or delayed submission may lead to regulatory action, including audits initiated directly by the Authority.
PoPs-APY are advised to strictly adhere to these requirements to ensure regulatory compliance and operational transparency.
[Circular No. PFRDA/2026/37/SUP-POP/06]
