EPFO Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025: Complete Guide to Enroll, Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply. EPFO Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025: Complete Guide, Eligibility, Benefits & Application Process.
EPFO Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025: Enroll unregistered workers (2017-2025) with ₹100 penalty & waived contributions. Full eligibility, steps, benefits & FAQs for employers/employees.
Introduction: EPFO Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025
The EPFO Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025 is a game-changer for India's workforce formalization. Launched on November 1, 2025, by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya during EPFO's 73rd Foundation Day, this voluntary initiative allows employers to enroll previously unregistered employees under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) with minimal penalties.
If you're an employer seeking to regularize past compliance or an employee left out of social security benefits, this six-month window (until April 30, 2026) is your chance to secure retirement savings, pension, and insurance coverage.
Targeting workers who joined between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025, but weren't enrolled due to administrative lapses, the scheme waives employee contributions for past periods and limits penalties to just ₹100 per establishment.
Aligned with the Prime Minister's Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), it aims to bring 3.5 crore new jobs into the formal sector, boosting EPF coverage to over 7 crore subscribers.
In this comprehensive guide, explore EPFO enrollment process 2025, eligibility, benefits, application steps, and FAQs—everything to make your enrollment seamless.
What is the EPFO Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025?
The Employees’ Enrolment Scheme 2025, under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, is a one-time amnesty program by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
It encourages voluntary compliance by offering relaxed rules for past non-enrollments, promoting "Social Security for All."
Key highlights:
- Objective: Formalize unregistered workers, ease employer compliance, and expand EPF/EPS coverage.
- Launch Date: November 1, 2025.
- Duration: Six months (November 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026).
- Coverage Period: Employees joined from July 1, 2017, to October 31, 2025.
- Penalties: Nominal ₹100 per establishment (covers EPF, EPS, EDLI); no interest on employer share if declared timely.
- No Suo Motu Action: EPFO won't pursue past violations for declared employees.
This ties into EPFO 3.0, a revamped digital platform with user-friendly navigation, simplified withdrawals, and instant UAN generation via UMANG app.
Employers benefit from reduced litigation, while workers gain immediate access to provident funds, pensions, and death benefits.
Eligibility Criteria for EPFO Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025
Who qualifies? The scheme is broad, covering all establishments (covered or uncovered under EPF) and eligible employees.
Employer Eligibility
- All organizations (factories, shops, establishments) regardless of size or sector.
- Includes those under Section 7A inquiry, Paragraph 26B, or EPS Paragraph 8 proceedings.
- Must declare via EPFO portal; Face-Authentication UAN generation required for employees.
Employee Eligibility
- Currently employed and alive as of declaration date.
- Joined between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025, but not previously enrolled in EPF.
- Basic salary up to ₹15,000/month (for EPS eligibility; higher for EPF).
- Excludes former employees (no retrospective for leavers).
Category | Eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Current Employees (2017-2025 Joiners) | Yes | Must be in service; UAN generated. |
Former Employees | No | Only active workers. |
Establishments Under Inquiry | Yes | Damages capped at ₹100. |
Uncovered Firms | Yes | Full enrollment possible. |
If ineligible, explore PMVBRY for new hires (incentives up to ₹15,000 in installments).
Benefits of EPFO Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025
This scheme bridges gaps in social security, benefiting employers, employees, and the economy.For Employees
- Immediate EPF Coverage: 12% employer + 12% employee contribution (employee share waived for past if undeducted).
- Pension Security: EPS for retirement (up to ₹15,000 wage ceiling).
- Insurance: EDLI up to ₹7 lakh on death.
- Long-Term Gains: Compounding interest (8.25% in 2024-25), portable UAN for job switches.
- Tax Savings: Deductions under Section 80C (up to ₹1.5 lakh).
For Employers
- Minimal Penalties: ₹100 flat (no interest under Sec 7Q for timely declaration).
- Ease of Compliance: Simplified ECR payments; no employee share remittance for past.
- Business Incentives: Aligns with PMVBRY (subsidies for new jobs); avoids audits.
- Reputation Boost: Promotes ethical hiring, reduces litigation risks.
Broader Impact
- Formalization: Targets 3.5 crore jobs, reducing informal sector (90% workforce).
- Economy: Boosts savings, pensions; supports Viksit Bharat goal.
Stakeholder | Key Benefit | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
Employees | Waived Past Contributions | ₹50K+ corpus growth |
Employers | Flat ₹100 Penalty | Saves ₹10K+ in fines |
Government | Wider Coverage | 7Cr+ subscribers |
How to Enroll Under EPFO Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025: Step-by-Step Guide
Enrollment is fully online via EPFO portal—simple and paperless.For Employers
- Register/Login: Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in > Employer Login (use DSC/Digital Signature).
- Generate UAN: For each employee, use UMANG app for Face-Authentication UAN (mandatory).
- Declare Employees: Under "Enrolment Scheme 2025" section, enter details (join date, wages 2017-2025).
- Pay Contributions: Use ECR facility—employer share + interest/admin fees + ₹100 penalty.
- Submit & Verify: Upload docs (ID proof, salary slips); get acknowledgment.
For Employees
- Inform employer to declare you.
- Download UMANG app > EPFO > Generate UAN.
- Track via UMANG/EPFO app (passbook, claims).
EPFO Enrollment Scheme 2025 vs Previous Schemes: What's New?
Feature | Enrollment Scheme 2025 | Viswas Scheme (2024) | PMVBRY (Ongoing) |
|---|---|---|---|
Focus | Past Unregistered (2017-2025) | Pending Dues | New Jobs Incentive |
Penalty | ₹100 Flat | Variable (up to 50% waiver) | Subsidies ₹15K |
Duration | 6 Months (Nov 2025-Apr 2026) | Closed | Ongoing |
Employee Share | Waived for Past | Partial Waiver | N/A |
The 2025 scheme is more lenient, targeting "missed" workers without aggressive enforcement.
Common Challenges & Solutions in EPFO Enrollment 2025
- Challenge: UAN Generation Delays. Solution: Use UMANG Face-Auth; helpline support.
- Challenge: Wage Ceiling Disputes. Solution: Declare actual wages; EPS caps at ₹15,000.
- Challenge: Multiple Employers. Solution: Transfer via UAN; scheme covers one declaration.
- Challenge: Small Firms Compliance. Solution: Online-only; no field visits.
