The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched a Golden Opportunity for Employers under the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2025. This limited-period scheme runs from 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026 and gives employers across India a chance to declare employees who were left out of EPF coverage — with major benefits including penalty waivers and protection from legal action.
If you are an employer with workers enrolled between 01 July 2017 and 31 October 2025 who were not registered under EPFO, this scheme is specifically designed for you.
What is the EPFO Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2025?
The Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2025 is a special amnesty-type scheme launched by EPFO in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Its primary goal is to bring millions of uncovered workers into the formal social security net of India.
Many establishments in India have employees who joined between 2017 and 2025 but were never enrolled in the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) or the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme — either due to oversight, lack of awareness, or deliberate avoidance. This campaign gives employers a clean, penalty-free window to correct this.
Who Can Apply Under This Scheme? EPFO Employees Enrolment Campaign|
This scheme is open to all EPFO-covered establishments across India. You can participate if:
Your establishment is already registered under the EPF & MP Act, 1952
You have employees who joined your organisation between 01 July 2017 and 31 October 2025
Those employees were not enrolled in EPF during their joining period
You are willing to declare and enrol them now during the campaign window
The scheme applies to both private sector employers and eligible government-affiliated establishments.
Key Benefits for Employers Under the Campaign
This is why EPFO is calling it a Golden Opportunity — the benefits for participating employers are significant:
1. Waiver of Employee Share (If Not Deducted)
If you did not deduct the employee’s share of EPF contribution from their salary at the time, EPFO will waive that employee share. You will only need to deposit the employer’s share going forward. This removes a major financial burden for small and medium enterprises.
2. Nominal Penal Damages of Only ₹100 Per Establishment
Normally, non-compliance with EPF enrollment attracts heavy penal damages. Under this campaign, the penal damages are reduced to a nominal ₹100 per establishment — regardless of how many employees were left out or for how long.
3. No Suo Motu Action During the Scheme Period
EPFO has assured that no suo motu (self-initiated) legal or enforcement action will be taken against any employer who comes forward voluntarily during the campaign period. This is a massive protection for employers who fear penalties or prosecution.
4. Linkage with PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana
Employers who enrol previously left-out workers under this campaign will also become eligible for the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) incentives. This central government scheme provides direct financial incentives to employers for every new formal employee added — making this a double benefit for participating businesses.
Scheme Operation Period
Detail
Information
Scheme Start Date
1 November 2025
Scheme End Date
30 April 2026
Eligible Joining Period
01 July 2017 to 31 October 2025
Penal Damages
₹100 per establishment (nominal)
Employee Share Waiver
Yes, if not deducted earlier
Legal Protection
No suo motu action during scheme
How to Declare Left-Out Employees Under This Campaign
Follow these steps to take advantage of the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2025:
Step 1: Login to the EPFO Employer Portal at epfindia.gov.in using your establishment’s credentials.
Step 2: Navigate to the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2025 section on the dashboard.
Step 3: Enter the details of all employees who joined your establishment between 01 July 2017 and 31 October 2025 and were not previously enrolled.
Step 4: Submit the declaration along with the required documents such as joining date proof, salary records and Aadhaar details of the employees.
Step 5: Pay the employer’s share of EPF contribution for the applicable period, along with the nominal ₹100 penal damage.
Step 6: The enrolled employees will receive their UAN (Universal Account Number) and their EPF accounts will be activated immediately.
Why This Matters for Workers Too
While this scheme is aimed at employers, the real beneficiaries are the lakhs of workers who have been working in the formal sector but were denied social security benefits. Once enrolled:
Workers will get EPF coverage — building a retirement corpus
They become eligible for EDLI insurance of up to ₹7 lakh
They can access EPS pension after 10 years of qualifying service
They gain access to ESIC medical benefits if applicable
Many daily-wage and contractual workers employed since 2017 have unknowingly missed years of EPF accumulation. This campaign gives them a chance to get what they deserve.
Linkage with Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana
One of the most attractive aspects of this campaign is its linkage with PM-VBRY (PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana), launched on 1 August 2025. Under PM-VBRY:
Employers receive government incentives for adding new formal employees
Employees with salary up to ₹1 lakh per month are eligible
Both Part A (employee benefit) and Part B (employer incentive) components apply
The incentive period continues for 2 years after enrolment
By declaring left-out employees under the Enrolment Campaign, employers can simultaneously claim PM-VBRY benefits — making this a financially rewarding move.
Penalties for Non-Compliance After 30 April 2026
Employers who do not take advantage of this window should be aware that after 30 April 2026, EPFO will resume normal enforcement. This means:
Full penal damages under Section 14B of the EPF Act (can go up to 25% of arrears)
Interest under Section 7Q at 12% per annum on outstanding dues
Possible prosecution under Section 14 for willful default
Attachment of bank accounts and property in severe cases
The message from EPFO is clear — come forward now during the campaign window or face full legal consequences later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if an employee left the company before October 2025 — can I still enrol them?
Yes. If the employee joined between 01 July 2017 and 31 October 2025 and was not enrolled during their tenure, you can still declare them under this campaign. Their EPF account will be created and contributions deposited for the applicable period.
Q: Does this scheme apply to contract workers and daily wage employees?
Yes, as long as the establishment is covered under the EPF Act and the workers meet the wage and joining criteria, contract and daily wage workers are included.
Q: What documents are needed for declaration?
Typically: employee’s Aadhaar card, bank account details, joining date proof (appointment letter or attendance record), and salary or wage records.
Q: Is there any benefit to the employee in this scheme?
Yes — they receive an active EPF account with contributions, UAN number, EDLI insurance coverage and EPS pension eligibility.
Final Word — Act Before 30 April 2026
The EPFO Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2025 is a rare and genuine opportunity for employers to regularise their workforce status with minimal financial impact. With just ₹100 in penal damages, waiver of employee share and full protection from legal action, there is no reason to delay.
If you are an employer unsure about how to proceed, or if you are a worker who believes your employer should have enrolled you but did not, contact EPFOAdvise for free guidance.
📩 Email: helpdesk.epf@gmail.com
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This article is based on official EPFO communication. For official registration, visit epfindia.gov.in. EPFOAdvise is an independent advisory and not affiliated with EPFO or the Government of India.
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