The facility applies to employees who were left out of EPF coverage between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025. By opening a time-bound window, EPFO aims to encourage voluntary compliance and reduce disputes arising from delayed or missed enrolments.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment introduces EES 2025, enabling employers to enrol workers left out of EPF between July 2017 and October 2025, with reduced penalties and a focus on formalising social security coverage.
Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that EPFO subscribers will soon be able to withdraw their provident fund directly through ATMs and UPI, eliminating lengthy paperwork. He said the new digital withdrawal options are expected to be rolled out before March 2026. The move aims to make EPF access faster, simpler and more member-friendly.
EPS 1995 operates as a Defined Contribution–Defined Benefit social security scheme. The pension fund is financed through an employer contribution of 8.33% of wages and a central government contribution of 1.16% on wages up to Rs 15,000 per month. Benefits are disbursed from the accumulated corpus, which, as per the actuarial valuation dated March 31, 2019, reflects a deficit.
Under the present rules, only employees earning up to Rs 15,000 in basic pay must be brought under EPF and EPS. Those earning even marginally above this can opt out, and employers are not obligated to register them
Central PF Commissioner says aim of recent reforms is to do away with manual interventions, discretion, unnecessary or redundant processes; officers free to focus on claim settlement, other issues.
With the annual life certificate deadline set for 30 November 2025, the government is driving a nationwide campaign to simplify the process for India’s pensioners. Digital, doorstep, and in-person options have been expanded, focusing especially on the needs of older pensioners, including those above 80 and 90, ensuring wider access to essential benefits.
Currently, employees earning up to Rs 15,000 per month in basic pay are mandatorily covered under EPF and EPS, while those earning above this limit can opt out.
The change comes as part of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was notified on April 15, 2025, and introduces 19 amendments across key financial legislations, including the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, and the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
The scheme ensures coverage for all employees who are members of EPFO, with no exclusions — meaning it applies round the clock and even covers deaths occurring abroad.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has rolled out its biggest reform in years, overhauling how India’s salaried workforce can access, withdraw, and manage their provident fund savings. The new rules merge 13 withdrawal categories into three, introduce a 12-month savings lock-in, and extend the waiting period for full settlement.





