EPFO Update: If you are an employee covered under the Provident Fund (PF), this news could be particularly significant for you. The EPFO has launched a special drive for employees who were already eligible but had not yet been enrolled in the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) scheme.
The EPFO has named this initiative the ‘Employee Enrolment Campaign 2026’ (EEC 2026). Through this campaign, the EPFO is providing employers—i.e., companies—with an opportunity to enrol eligible employees who were previously left out of the EPF scheme. The primary objective is to extend social security benefits—such as PF, pension, and insurance—to these employees.
What is the deadline for EEC 2026?
The EPFO has stated that the EEC 2026 campaign, which began on July 1, 2026, will continue until October 31, 2026. This means employers have only four days left to complete the enrolment process. Consequently, employers must ensure they finalise the process within this stipulated timeframe.
Which employees will benefit?
This EPFO campaign covers employees who remained outside the scope of the EPF between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2026. However, specific conditions must be met. According to the campaign guidelines, it is mandatory that the employee is still alive and continues to work for the same organisation at the time of the declaration.
What are the benefits for employees?
Through this EPFO campaign, eligible employees can gain access to several key social security benefits. The primary benefit is that it provides a savings facility for the employee’s future. Additionally, it offers pension benefits in accordance with established eligibility criteria. Depending on the rules of the specific scheme, employees may also gain access to insurance and social security benefits.
Will there be an exemption on the employee’s PF contribution?
A key feature of the ‘EEC 2026’ (Employee Enrolment Campaign 2026) relates to the employee’s share of the contribution. If the PF portion was not previously deducted from an employee’s salary, the terms of this campaign may allow for an exemption regarding the employee’s share for that specific period. In such a scenario, the employer is required to deposit their own mandatory contribution, along with applicable interest and charges. Furthermore, as per the campaign terms, a nominal fee of ₹100 will be charged.
How should employers proceed with enrolment?
Employers must follow the EPFO’s prescribed online process to enrol eligible employees. This includes providing employee details, submitting the necessary declarations, and completing the contribution process. Under this campaign, the ‘Umang’ app is used for face authentication to generate a Universal Account Number (UAN), while the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) is used to deposit contributions. For further information, please visit the official EPFO website at https://www.epfindia.gov.in/.