Starting your first job could now come with an extra financial boost.
Under a government employment scheme, eligible first-time employees can receive up to ₹15,000 as an incentive for joining the formal workforce.
The initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), a scheme designed to encourage formal employment and create more job opportunities across the country.
What Is PMVBRY?
PMVBRY is an Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme being implemented through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
The scheme covers jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.
The government has allocated ₹99,446 crore for the programme and aims to support the creation of more than 3.5 crore jobs over two years.
Out of these, nearly 1.92 crore beneficiaries are expected to be first-time employees entering the workforce.
Who Can Get the ₹15,000 Benefit?
Under the scheme, eligible first-time employees can receive an incentive equal to one month’s salary, up to a maximum of ₹15,000.
To qualify, an employee must:
Be registered with EPFO for the first time.
Join an EPFO-registered establishment between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.
Have a monthly gross salary of up to ₹1 lakh.
Continue working for the required period under the scheme.
The benefit is specifically meant for people entering the formal workforce for the first time.
Why Government Employees Cannot Apply
Government employees are not eligible for this scheme.
This is because the programme is linked to the EPFO system, while most government employees are covered under the General Provident Fund (GPF) or the National Pension System (NPS).
As a result, they do not fall under the eligibility criteria of PMVBRY.
How Will the ₹15,000 Be Paid?
The incentive will not be paid in a single installment.
Instead, the amount will be transferred directly to the employee’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in two stages.
The first installment will be released after completing six months of continuous service.
The second installment will be paid after completing 12 months of service and successfully finishing a financial literacy programme.
According to the guidelines, a portion of the second installment may also be routed into a savings instrument.
Employers Also Get Benefits
The scheme does not benefit employees alone.
Employers who create new jobs can also receive incentives under PMVBRY.
Depending on the salary level of the employee, employers may receive incentives ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 per month for each eligible worker.
This is expected to encourage companies to hire more people and expand formal employment opportunities.
Important Verification Requirement
To receive the benefit, first-time EPFO members must complete Universal Account Number (UAN) verification through Face Authentication Technology (FAT).
Authorities have made it clear that incentives will not be released until the verification process is successfully completed.
Employees facing technical issues can seek assistance from their nearest EPFO office.
What Could Cause You to Lose the Benefit?
Employees must ensure that their bank account is enabled for DBT transactions.
If the account is not DBT-enabled, the money cannot be credited.
Employers also have responsibilities under the scheme.
Establishments must regularly file Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) and deposit EPF contributions on time.
Any delay in filing returns or depositing contributions could affect employees’ eligibility to receive the incentive.
Scheme Already Helping Lakhs of Employees
According to Labour Ministry data, more than 20.7 lakh first-time employees had already benefited from the scheme by the end of 2025.
More than 2.35 lakh establishments have also registered on the PMVBRY portal.
With the scheme remaining active for eligible jobs created until July 31, 2027, many more young professionals entering the workforce could benefit from this financial support.
Key Takeaway
If you are joining your first formal job and your employer is registered with EPFO, you may be eligible for up to ₹15,000 under the PMVBRY scheme.
Make sure your EPFO registration, UAN verification, and DBT-enabled bank account are in place so you don’t miss out on the benefit.
