EPFO launches Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2025: Know who can join, benefits and how to apply

The Ministry of Labour and Employment on Monday launched the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign, 2025 (EEC 2025), aiming to bring more workers under organised social security by expanding coverage through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

Scheduled to run from November 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, this new campaign follows the success of a similar drive held in 2017, which focused on enrolling eligible employees who were left out between 2009 and 2016.

Who can employers enrol under Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2025?

Employers — both those already registered and newly brought under the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 — are encouraged to voluntarily declare and enrol eligible employees.

The campaign covers employees who

• Joined the organisation between July 1, 2017 and October 31, 2025
• Are alive and currently employed
• Have not been enrolled under the EPF scheme for any reason

What are the key benefits for employers?

In a major compliance relief, if the employee’s share of provident fund contributions during the past period (July 1, 2017 – October 31, 2025) was not deducted from their wages, that share will be completely waived.

Employers only need to:

• Pay their own share of contributions
• Pay a nominal lump-sum penalty of ₹100

This is a major reduction from the standard penalties for EPF non-compliance.

Are there any legal exemptions or protections?

Yes. The Ministry clarified, “All establishments are eligible to participate irrespective of whether they are facing inquiries under Section 7A of the Act, paragraph 26B of the scheme, or paragraph 8 of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995.”

Also, no suo moto action will be taken by EPFO against employers for any such employees who have already left the establishment by the date of declaration.

What are the additional benefits?

Employers registering under the campaign will also be eligible for benefits under the Pradhan Mantri-Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), subject to conditions.

To participate, employers must:

• Submit a declaration via EPFO’s online portal
• Include details of enrolled employees
• Link it to the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (Temporary Return Reference Number) for contribution payments
• Pay the ₹100 penalty

What does the government expect from EEC 2025?

The government hopes this drive will:

• Boost enrolment under social security
• Help employers regularise past records
• Reduce financial and legal burdens
  
  PTI