The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) has urged employers to make use of a special one-time enrolment scheme that opens a six-month compliance window to voluntarily bring eligible employees under EPF coverage for past periods of non-compliance.
According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the move is aimed at expanding social security coverage and easing the regularisation of employees who were left out between July 1, 2017 and October 31, 2025.
One-time enrolment window under EES-2025
EPFO has rolled out the Employees’ Enrolment Scheme (EES)-2025 as a facilitation-focused initiative designed to simplify compliance for employers. The scheme provides a six-month window beginning November 2025, allowing establishments to voluntarily enrol eligible employees who were previously excluded from EPF coverage.
The statement said establishments that were not covered under the EPF Act earlier can apply for coverage during this period and subsequently declare and enrol eligible employees. The initiative also enables employers to regularise past lapses without facing prolonged litigation or complex proceedings.
Limited liability for past defaults
Under EES-2025, employers will get significant relief in cases where employee contributions were not deducted earlier. In such situations, employers will be required to deposit only the employer’s share of contributions along with interest under Section 7Q, applicable administrative charges, and penal damages capped at a lump sum of Rs 100. This payment will be treated as full compliance across all three EPFO schemes.
The scheme also extends eligibility to establishments facing assessment inquiries. In addition, benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana can be availed, subject to the terms and conditions under that scheme.
Calling it a time-bound opportunity, EPFO has urged employers to participate and contribute to the national vision of “Social Security for All”. To ensure wider participation, the organisation will reach out to identified defaulting employers through SMS and email, encouraging them to regularise pending compliances under EES-2025.
A nationwide awareness campaign has also been launched to familiarise employers with the provisions and advantages of the scheme. Simultaneously, EPFO has taken up the matter with various government authorities to push for the enrolment of contractual and casual workers under the EPF framework, the statement added.