Business
PFRDA Clarifies Rules On Corporate NPS Fund Choices, Contributions And Employee Rights
Last Updated:
PFRDA clarifies Corporate NPS rules, requiring mutual agreement for Pension Fund choices, annual reviews, employee investment options, grievance process, etc.
PFRDA Updates Corporate NPS Norms, Clarifies Fund Selection and Employee Decision-Making
The Pension Fund Regulatory And Development Authority (PFRDA) has addressed confusion among corporate employers about choosing Pension Funds and investment options for employees under the Corporate NPS, especially in cases where employers also contribute. The confusion arose following the regulator’s circular on September 12, 2025.
NPS Corporate Sector Model offers a robust platform for employers to extend old age social security benefits to their employees, allowing for flexible contributions from both employer and employee.
Key Points By PFRDA In The Circular:
1, Mutual Agreement Needed
When both employer and employee contribute, or when only the employer contributes, decisions on Pension Fund and investment schemes must be made through a formal mutual agreement between management and employees.
2. Annual Review of Pension Fund
The employer must review the chosen Pension Fund every year.
Any change should follow the conditions in the mutual agreement.
Long-term returns (20–30 years) should guide decisions, not short-term market movements.
Employers must discuss and educate employees properly during decision-making.
3. Employees Can Still Invest Voluntarily
Apart from the joint arrangement, employees may separately choose to invest in NPS Common Schemes or Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF) options on their own.
4. Employees Must Have Enough Choice
The agreement should ensure different scheme options within a Pension Fund so employees with different risk levels are covered.
5. Grievance Process
First complaint goes to the company’s HR.
It can be escalated only if the employee shows proof that HR did not act.
6. Full Freedom Option
Employers can decide to give employees complete control over Pension Fund and scheme choice, skipping mutual agreement.
8. Role of PoPs (Points of Presence)
Corporates should work with PoPs to provide NPS services as per PoP regulations.
9. Communication Protocol
PoPs must inform CRAs in writing about choices agreed mutually.
Public sector PoPs should do this only after internal circulars are issued.
10. CRAs Must Wait for Employer Instructions
CRAs cannot make any changes unless the employer instructs them.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
November 16, 2025, 15:05 IST
Read More
Pritti Mistry,Business reporter and
Marc Ashdown,Business correspondent
Getty ImagesNature is not a blocker to housing growth and the government risks missing both its housing and nature targets if it views it as one, a cross-party group of MPs has warned in a new report.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill overrides existing habitat protections, which the government has suggested is a barrier to its target to build 1.5 million houses by the end of this parliament.
But in a report published on Sunday, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) found the measures outlined in the bill are not enough to allow the government to meet its goals.
“Using nature as a scapegoat means that the government will be less effective at tackling some of the genuine challenges facing the planning system,” the report said.
A Ministry of Housing spokesperson said it was fixing a failing system with landmark reforms, which would deliver a win-win for the economy and the environment.
The Labour government has promised to build 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029 as part of efforts to solve the housing crisis and boost economic growth.
Under its housing reforms, it wants to simplify the planning system to speed up house-building on smaller sites by overriding existing habitat and nature protections.
If passed, the draft legislation, which is currently making its way through the final stages in parliament, would instead allow developers to make general environmental improvements and pay into a nature restoration fund that improves habitats on other sites.
But the EAC has argued that nature is not a “blocker” to delivering housing – it is a necessity for building resilient neighbourhoods.
The EAC urged the government to instead focus on addressing a skills shortage in ecology, planning and construction.
“The government must not veer down the path of viewing nature as an inconvenience or blocker to housebuilding,” the report said.
“In most cases, housing delivery is delayed or challenged due to unclear and conflicting policies, land banking and skills shortages.”
The EAC suggested offering people better incentives to build and live in “carbon-friendly homes”, or to retrofit existing ones.
It outlined a series of recommendations aimed at boosting manufacturing viability of green construction products and alter the tax burden to support eco-friendly homes.
Environmental group Friends of the Earth said the government needed to set the right priorities.
Paul De Zylva, nature campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: “This report shows that the Planning & Infrastructure Bill is bad legislation that neither provides the quality homes people need nor truly protects our already depleted nature.
“Instead of attacking newts, bats and our nature laws to justify its growth-at-any-cost agenda, the government would be better focusing on delivering against its legal targets for nature which are at risk of being missed.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government said: “The Government inherited a failing system that delayed new homes and infrastructure while doing nothing for nature’s recovery.
“We are fixing this with landmark reforms, including the Nature Restoration Fund, that will create a win-win for the economy and the environment.
“This will get Britain building the 1.5 million homes we desperately need to restore the dream of homeownership, and not at the expense of nature.”
Last Updated:
Indraprastha Gas Limited hiked CNG prices by Rs 1 in select cities from November 16, 2025. Delhi remains at Rs 77.09 per kg, Noida and Greater Noida at Rs 85.70 per kg.
IGL hikes CNG prices in some cities.
IGL CNG Prices: Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) on Saturday hiked the prices of compressed natural gas (CNG) across select cities around Rs 1. It came into effect from 6:00 AM on November 16, 2025.
Following the revision, the latest price of CNG in Noida and Greater Noida is Rs 85.70 from Rs 84.70 per kg. While in Delhi, the price of per kg CNG remained the same of Rs 76.09.
CNG stands for compressed natural gas. It is gaseous fuel and is a mixture of hydrocarbons mainly Methane.
IGL has been supplying CNG to over 15 Lakhs vehicles, through its robust network of above 725 CNG stations in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Meerut , Kanpur, Fatehpur, Hamirpur, Rewari, Gurugram, Karnal and Kaithal.
| CNG Retail Prices (w.e.f 6:00 AM of 16th Nov 2025) | |
|---|---|
| NCT of Delhi | Rs. 77.09 /- per Kg |
| Noida | Rs. 85.70 /- per Kg |
| Ghaziabad | Rs. 85.70 /- per Kg |
| Muzaffarnagar | Rs. 86.08 /- per Kg |
| Meerut | Rs. 86.08 /- per Kg |
| Shamli | Rs. 86.08 /- per Kg |
| Gurugram | Rs. 82.12 /- per Kg |
| Rewari | Rs. 82.70 /- per Kg |
| Karnal | Rs. 82.43 /- per Kg |
| Kaithal | Rs. 83.43 /- per Kg |
| Kanpur | Rs. 88.92 /- per Kg |
| Hamirpur | Rs. 88.92 /- per Kg |
| Fatehpur | Rs. 88.92 /- per Kg |
| Ajmer | Rs. 86.94 /- per Kg |
| Pali | Rs. 86.94 /- per Kg |
| Rajsamand | Rs. 86.94 /- per Kg |
| Mahoba | Rs. 83.92 /- per Kg |
| Banda | Rs. 83.92 /- per Kg |
| Chitrakoot | Rs. 83.92 /- per Kg |
| Hapur | Rs. 86.70 /- per Kg |
| Gautam Budh Nagar | Rs. 85.70 /- per kg |
| Greater Noida | Rs. 85.70 /- per Kg |
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
November 16, 2025, 18:04 IST
Read More
Last Updated:
With fresh issues and major listings lined up, the action in the IPO market is likely to remain steady through the month.
News18
IPO Calendar 2025: As we head to the third week of November, primary market will remain abuzz, with two new mainboard and SME issues hitting the market and listing of PhysicsWallah. November also witnessed the launch of several stellar and heavyweight IPOs of 2025, including Billionbrains Garage Ventures (Groww), Pine Labs, Lenskart, etc.
One Mainboard And One SME IPOs To Hit The Market
The market is seeing four IPOs that are currently accepting applications or are about to open this week.
Excelsoft Technologies IPO will open this week between Friday, November 19, 2025, and November 21, 2025. The company is raising Rs 500 and will list shares on both BSE and NSE exchnages. The price band of the issue is Rs 114-120.
Another IPO is Gallard Steel. It is BSE SME IPO, raising Rs 37.50 crore. The issue will open between Friday, November 19, 2025, and November 21, 2025. The price band is Rs 142-150.
Meanwhile, two other major IPOs are closing soon. Fujiyama Power Systems Ltd. IPO is active from Thursday, November 13, 2025, to Monday, November 17, 2025. This large offering, managed by Motilal Oswal Investment, is raising Rs 828.00 crore and has shares priced between Rs 216.00 and Rs 228.00. The Capillary Technologies India Ltd. IPO, which runs from Friday, November 14, 2025, to Tuesday, November 18, 2025, is seeking an even higher amount of Rs 877.50 crore at a premium price of Rs 549.00 to Rs 577.00 per share. Both Fujiyama and Capillary will be listing on the main BSE and NSE exchanges, with JM Financial acting as the lead manager for Capillary.
Upcoming Listings
Five companies have recently concluded their Initial Public Offerings and are now in the process of getting listed on the stock exchanges.
Three of these are very large Main Board issues. The Tenneco Clean Air India Ltd. IPO, which closed on Friday, November 14, 2025, is the biggest, having raised a massive Rs. 3,600.00 crore. The PhysicsWallah Ltd. IPO closed on Thursday, November 13, 2025, and successfully raised a substantial Rs. 3,480.71 crore with an issue price of Rs. 103.00 to Rs. 109.00. Also closing on the 13th was the Emmvee Photovoltaic Power Ltd. IPO, which raised Rs. 2,900.00 crore at a price between Rs. 206.00 and Rs. 217.00 per share. All three will list on the BSE and NSE. JM Financial managed Tenneco and Emmvee, while Kotak Mahindra Capital managed PhysicsWallah.
The remaining two are smaller issues listed on the BSE SME platform, both closing on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Mahamaya Lifesciences Ltd. IPO raised Rs. 70.44 crore with an issue price between Rs. 108.00 and Rs. 114.00, led by Oneview Corporate. The Workmates Core2Cloud Solution Ltd. IPO raised a similar amount, Rs. 69.84 crore, at an issue price of Rs. 204, managed by Horizon Management.
Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
November 16, 2025, 17:41 IST
Read More
Simu Liu shares what he loves to do on his day off
Maaz’s brilliance helps Pakistan thump India in Asia Cup Rising Stars
The Best Organic Mattresses—All Certified, All Actually Tested
-
Entertainment1 week agoChina unveils￡5.4 bn Fujian, its most advanced aircraft carrier yet
-
Tech6 days agoFrom waste to asset: Turning ethanol production CO₂ into jet fuel
-
Politics1 week agoIDF lawyers warned of possible Gaza war crimes: US intel findings
-
Entertainment1 week agoRobert Pattinson jokes about competing with Gen Z
-
Sports1 week agoIsraeli cycling team loses top sponsor despite honoring request to remove country from name
-
Entertainment1 week agoAlex Cooper apologizes to Taylor Swift for bizarre admission
-
Tech1 week agoThe Government Shutdown Is a Ticking Cybersecurity Time Bomb
-
Sports1 week ago
College football winners and losers: The catch of the year saves Indiana