The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) have introduced a new nationwide initiative aimed at widening social- security access and promoting voluntary compliance among employers. The scheme creates a special opportunity for employers to register eligible workers who were not brought under EPF coverage between 1 July, 2017 and 31 October, 2025.
The Employees’ Enrolment Scheme 2025 was unveiled by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment during the EPFO’s 73rd foundation day celebrations in New Delhi.
It is designed to simplify past compliance issues, encourage transparency, and move closer to a system where every worker receives social security benefits. The enrolment window will remain open for an additional six months, from 1 November, 2025 to 30 April , 2026.
Under the scheme, any establishment—whether already covered by the EPF Act or not—can declare employees hired during the specified period through the EPFO portal. For such employees, the employee contribution for the past period will be waived if deductions were not made earlier. Employers will only need to pay their share along with interest, administrative charges, and a minimal penal fee of Rs 100. Even firms that are currently under inquiry remain eligible, with penal damages capped at the same nominal amount.
Additionally, no suo motu compliance action will be taken against employers who come forward under this scheme. The initiative is expected to bring a larger share of the workforce into the organised social security net by easing the process of rectifying past lapses.
In the Tirunelveli Zone alone, EPFO officials noted that around 1,000 of the 11,000 registered establishments have failed to deposit contributions. Notices have been issued, and authorities warned that property attachment could follow if dues continue to remain unpaid.
