In a significant step towards formalising India’s workforce and expanding social-security coverage, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched the Employees’ Enrolment Scheme 2025. Announced by the Ministry of Labour & Employment and effective from 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026, this initiative invites employers to voluntarily enrol eligible employees who were left out of PF coverage between 1 July 2017 and 31 October 2025.
Why was it needed
Many salaried employees in small and medium enterprises, or those whose employers did not enrol them under the EPF scheme, missed out on the benefits of a provident fund, pension, and other associated social-security nets. The scheme now offers a way to correct that gap.
Key Features & Eligibility
Covers employees who joined an establishment between 1 July 2017 and 31 October 2025 and are alive and working on the date of the employer’s declaration.
Employers will not be required to remit the employee’s share of provident fund contributions for this past period, provided it was not deducted from the employee’s wages. Only the employer’s share of contributions for that period is needed. )
A nominal lump-sum penal damage of ₹100 is applicable for this past period enrolment — a major relief compared to standard penalties.
All establishments are eligible, including even those facing inquiries under PF laws (Section 7A etc) — provided they opt into the scheme.
What this means for employees and employers
For employees, especially those who thought they had missed out on PF benefits, this is a second chance. It means their service period during which they weren’t covered can now be regularised, allowing them to access PF, pension (EPS) and other benefits.
For employers, this scheme offers a simplified pathway to clear past non-compliance and bring their workforce into the formal system with lower cost and fewer penalties. It enhances labour-law compliance, raises employee morale and aligns with formalisation of jobs.
What you should do
Employees: Check if you fall in the window (joined between 2017–25), check your UAN status, and whether your employer has enrolled you.
Employers: If you have employees fitting the criteria, consider opting in — ensure your records are ready, contribution amounts calculated and the declaration made.
Both parties should ensure: accurate employee list, wages and deduction records, UAN seedings and PF account up-to-date.
Key Takeaways
The Employees’ Enrolment Scheme 2025 is a timely pathway to bring many left-out workers under PF coverage.
Its relaxed penalty structure and waived past employee share make it employer-friendly.
For India’s workforce, it strengthens the social-security net, enhances retirement preparedness, and promotes job formalisation.
But success depends on awareness, employer participation, and correct process compliance.
FAQ
Q1. Who is eligible under the scheme?
Employees who joined an establishment between 1 July 2017 and 31 October 2025 are alive & actively employed on the date of employer’s declaration, and were not previously enrolled under EPF.
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Q2. Does the employee need to pay past PF contributions?
No — if no employee-share was previously deducted, the employee’s past dues are waived. Only the employer’s share and a nominal ₹100 penal charge apply.
Q3. Can any employer enrol?
Yes, all establishments (existing or new under PF Act) are eligible, even those with prior PF investigations, provided they choose to opt-in.
Q4. What period does the scheme cover?
The scheme window is from 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026. The employee-joining window is 1 July 2017 to 31 October 2025.
Q5. What benefits does the employee get by enrolling?
Formal PF membership, pension scheme access (EPS), deposit-linked insurance (EDLI), retirement savings, and social-security protection for the period of missed service.