The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) launched the Employees’ Enrolment Scheme 2025 on November 1, opening a special six-month window until April 30, 2026.
This initiative invites employers across India to voluntarily enrol eligible employees who joined between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025, but were previously left out of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) system. The scheme aims to widen social security coverage for unregistered workers, fostering workforce formalisation and promoting compliance with labour laws.
Employers can declare and enrol these workers online via the EPFO portal, simplifying the process and encouraging wider participation.
Key Features and Benefits
One significant feature of the scheme is the waiver of the employees’ past EPF contributions if those were not deducted earlier. Employers are only required to pay their share of contributions, along with applicable interest under Section 7Q, administrative charges, and a nominal penalty of ₹100 per establishment, regardless of size or number of employees.
This capped penalty also applies to establishments currently under inquiries or investigations, providing much-needed relief from legal liabilities for past non-compliance. Employers must generate Universal Account Numbers (UANs) for employees using face authentication via the UMANG app and submit contributions using the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) system.
By lowering compliance burdens and penalties, the scheme encourages employers to come forward and normalise EPF coverage for all eligible workers.
Experience EPFO’s new digital gateway at https://t.co/6GS0Rj3Taf
— EPFO (@officialepfo) November 3, 2025
Your enhanced access point to social security services.
The old domain continues to be operational, ensuring seamless transition for all users.
Redefining ease. Reinforcing trust.#73yearsofEPFO pic.twitter.com/swW2zf5L3G
Background and Policy Context
Launched on the 73rd Foundation Day of EPFO, this scheme is part of the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s continued efforts to extend formal social security networks in India. It follows a successful enrolment initiative conducted in 2017 and complements other reforms such as the Centralised Pension Payment System aimed at improving benefit delivery to over 70 million subscribers.
Labour Secretary Vandana Gurnani connected this scheme to the government’s Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, which targets creating 35 million new formal-sector jobs, reinforcing the objective of “Social Security for All.” The launch is also backed by EPFO’s upgraded digital platform, EPFO 3.0, intended to enhance user experience and simplify compliance procedures further.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Employees’ Enrolment Scheme 2025 represents a progressive move toward inclusive social security that embraces both employers’ and employees’ interests. By easing penalties while ensuring accountability, it cultivates a culture of trust and transparency essential for social harmony and economic dignity.
This transparent approach not only boosts formal employment but also strengthens the social fabric by ensuring workers are protected under the provident fund system. In an evolving labour landscape, nurturing such policies grounded in empathy and pragmatism is vital.
A major step to expand social security coverage.
— EPFO (@officialepfo) November 3, 2025
With the Employee Enrolment Scheme 2025, employers can voluntarily enrol employees and secure their EPF benefits, ensuring every worker is protected.#73yearsofEPFO pic.twitter.com/bsHel64pCD
