The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched a special Employee Enrolment Campaign (EEC) to bring eligible workers who were left out of the provident fund system under social security coverage.
The campaign gives employers another opportunity to register employees who could not be enrolled in EPF earlier for various reasons.
According to EPFO Jamshedpur Regional Provident Fund Commissioner Prashant Kumar, the campaign will remain open until October 31, 2026.
Big Relief on Employee Contribution
One of the biggest benefits of this campaign is the waiver of certain past employee contributions.
If an employer did not recover the employee’s EPF contribution earlier, the employee’s contribution for the period from April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2026, will be completely waived under the campaign.
However, employers will still have to pay their own share of the contribution along with applicable interest and administrative charges as per the rules.
The compensation amount for defaults during this period has also been reduced to ₹100.
Which Employees Can Be Registered?
The campaign covers eligible employees who:
Joined the concerned establishment between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2026.
Are currently working in that establishment.
Were eligible for EPF but were not enrolled earlier.
Employers who are currently facing an investigation or proceedings under the EPF Act can also participate.
However, establishments where the assessment or determination process has already been completed will not be covered under this campaign.
How Can Employers Take Advantage of the Campaign?
Employers need to complete the required process online to enrol eligible employees.
As part of the process, the employee’s Universal Account Number (UAN) needs to be verified using face authentication through the UMANG app.
After verification, the required contribution must be deposited through the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) system.
The declaration then needs to be submitted through the EPFO’s online portal.
EPFO Urges Employers Not to Wait
EPFO has advised employers to review their employment and salary records and identify eligible employees as soon as possible.
Since the special campaign is available only until October 31, 2026, employers should complete the process before the deadline rather than waiting until the last moment.
The campaign could provide an important opportunity for eligible employees who were previously left out of EPF coverage to come under the social security system.
