EPFO’s enrolment campaign operational till October 31

The employees’ enrolment campaign for Provident Fund that began on July 1 will end on October 31, and eligible employers and stakeholders should use this opportunity, according to the EPFO.

The employees’ enrolment campaign, 2026, was notified by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment and the campaign is operational from July 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026. The objective of the scheme is to provide a special window for employers to voluntarily enrol eligible employees who were left out from EPF coverage from April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2026, and regularise their past compliance.

The Regional PF Commissioner I, Rakesh S. Sekhar, said the scheme applies to all establishments, irrespective of existing coverage status. Employers can apply for EPF coverage for their employees who joined between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2026, if they had not done so earlier. They should generate face authentication-based UAN through the Umang app for each declared employee and remit contributions using electronic challan-cum-return (ECR). The employee’s share of provident fund contribution for the past period shall stand waived, provided it was not deducted from the employee’s wages. The employers should pay only their own share for such a period, Mr. Sekhar added.

Stating that employers availing this scheme shall be liable to pay a nominal penal damage of ₹100, the PF Commissioner said that the employer is liable to deposit only the employer’s share, along with interest and administrative charges as well as damages amounting to a lump sum of ₹100. All establishments are eligible to participate in the proposed scheme irrespective of the fact that any establishment is facing enquiries under various sections of the EPF Act. However, in case, declaration is given by the employer pertaining to the stipulated period of enquiry, the benefits under the EEC, 2026, shall be confined to limiting the damages to the extent of notional damages of ₹100. The government expects this campaign to boost enrolment under the social security cover for employees and shall also be crucial for employers to regularise their past records with minimal financial/legal burden and shall facilitate ease of doing business, Mr. Sekhar added.