Atal Pension Yojana: PFRDA recognises 53 SPs, 10 SLBCs, 5 branches, LDMs for outstanding performance in FY26

Retirement regulator Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) on Wednesday organised an annual felicitation programme Atal Pension Yojana (APY) to recognise the workers and teams behind the outstanding performance of the government-backed social security scheme in FY26. At the event, held in the national capital, 53 service providers (SPs), 10 state level bankers' committees (SLBCs), and five branches and lead district managers (LDMs) were awarded for their outstanding performance in achieving the annual target for the scheme, according to a press release.

Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a voluntary, government-backed pension scheme for workers in the unorganised sector.

Lauding the collective efforts of banks, SLBCs and PFRDA in strengthening the social security framework, Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary M Nagaraju noted that the Atal Pension Scheme’s assets under management (AUM) exceeded the Rs 54,000 crore mark during the financial year.

A record 1.35 crore subscribers were added to the scheme in FY26, he highlighted. Nagaraju emphasised the importance of subscriber persistency, financial literacy and greater outreach in the urban informal sector.

Underlining the importance of retirement preparedness, PFRDA Chairperson S Ramann highlighted that the Atal Pension Scheme recorded its highest-ever annual enrolment during FY26.

He also highlighted a significant rise in enrolments in the 18-25 age group, reflecting increasing awareness among youth regarding long-term financial security. Ramann emphasised the need to further strengthen subscriber engagement and pension awareness across the country.

PFRDA Whole Time Member (Economics) Mamta Shankar highlighted the strong momentum achieved under the scheme during the year ended March 31. Praising the contribution of banks, SLBCs and LDMs in expanding the scheme’s outreach, she noted that women participation under APY reached a record 55.14 per cent during the year.

She also acknowledged the efforts of stakeholders in strengthening the scheme’s outreach and implementation across the country.

Atal Pension Scheme enrolments cross 9 crore mark

The scheme crossed the 9 crore gross enrolments mark during FY26. APY has been implemented comprehensively across the country covering all States and Union Territories with the total gross enrolments having crossed 9.10 crore, as of May 18.

In FY26, banks and financial institutions demonstrated exceptional commitment to APY’s growth, with many significantly exceeding their annual targets.

Commercial banks

Regional rural banks

Cooperative banks

With the Atal Pension Scheme emerging as one of the most significant social security initiatives, the pension regulator reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with banks, SLBCs and the Department of Posts to strengthen pension awareness, improve subscriber experience and move steadily towards achieving pension saturation across the country.