The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has rolled out the Employees’ Enrolment Scheme (EES)–2025, a one-time facilitation drive aimed at widening Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) coverage and allowing employers to regularise past non-compliance through a simplified, employer-friendly process.

Under the scheme, a special six-month compliance window will be open from November 2025, enabling employers to voluntarily enrol eligible workers who were left out of EPF coverage between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said in a statement.

Establishments not currently covered under the EPF Act can also seek coverage during the window and subsequently declare and enrol eligible employees under the EPFO framework.

The Ministry said a nationwide awareness campaign has been launched to familiarise employers with the provisions and benefits of EES–2025. The issue has also been taken up with various government authorities to ensure the enrolment of contractual and casual employees under the EPF system.

As per the scheme, in cases where employees’ contributions were not deducted earlier, employers will be required to pay only their share of contributions, along with applicable interest under Section 7Q, administrative charges, and penal damages capped at a lump sum of ₹100. Such payments will be treated as full compliance under all three EPFO-administered social security schemes.

The EPFO said establishments facing assessment or inquiry proceedings are also eligible to avail benefits under the Employees’ Enrolment Scheme 2025. Further, enrolments made under the scheme may qualify for incentives under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Urging employers to utilise the time-bound opportunity, the EPFO said the initiative aligns with the government’s vision of “Social Security for All”. The organisation will directly contact identified defaulting employers through SMS and email alerts to encourage them to regularise defaults under the one-time relaxation offered by EES–2025.