Overview
- The government notified the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 2026 on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, which replaces the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 and takes immediate effect.
- Employers must now submit prescribed returns and employee data electronically through the EPFO portal and require employees to link UAN with Aadhaar, PAN and bank details and use e-nominations.
- Statutory employer and employee contributions remain at 12% each and are calculated up to the notified wage ceiling, while voluntary contributions above the ceiling are permitted with joint employer-employee opt‑in.
- The scheme tightens governance by making principal employers jointly liable for contract workers' PF compliance, requiring ownership disclosures and placing new rules on exempted trusts, and it levies a Rs 500 per day late fee for delayed filings within prescribed limits.
- Existing members continue automatically, claims and transfers will be processed electronically after identity verification, and three transition campaigns (Employees' Enrolment Campaign 2026, VISHWAS 2026 and AMNESTY 2026) are to regularise uncovered workers and settle legacy disputes.