Getting your first formal job could now come with an extra financial benefit.
The Central Government is offering eligible first-time employees up to ₹15,000 under a special employment incentive scheme aimed at encouraging formal job creation and workforce participation.
The benefit is available to young people who join EPFO-registered establishments during the scheme period and meet certain eligibility conditions.
What Is PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana?
The scheme is called the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY). It is an Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) programme designed to promote formal employment in the private and organized sectors.
The scheme covers jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027, and is being implemented through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
The Union Cabinet has approved an outlay of ₹99,446 crore for the programme.
The government expects the scheme to help create more than 3.5 crore jobs over two years, with around 1.92 crore beneficiaries being first-time workers.
Who Can Get the ₹15,000 Benefit?
Under Part A of 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 eligible establishment between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.
Have a monthly gross salary of up to ₹1 lakh.
Remain in continuous employment for the required period.
The scheme is specifically meant for people entering the formal workforce for the first time through EPFO-covered establishments.
Why Government Employees Cannot Avail the Benefit
Government employees are not eligible for PMVBRY benefits.
This is because most government employees are covered under the General Provident Fund (GPF) or the National Pension System (NPS) rather than the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).
Since the scheme is linked to EPFO registration, government employees fall outside its eligibility criteria.
How Will the Money Be Paid?
The incentive amount will be credited directly to the employee’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The payment will be made in two stages:
The first installment will be released after completing six months of continuous employment.
The second installment will be paid after 12 months of service and successful completion of a financial literacy programme.
According to the scheme guidelines, a portion of the second installment will be deposited into a savings instrument to encourage long-term financial planning.
Important Conditions You Must Complete
To receive the benefit, first-time EPFO members must complete Universal Account Number (UAN) verification through Face Authentication Technology (FAT).
Authorities have clarified that benefits will not be released unless the UAN verification process is successfully completed.
Employees facing technical issues have been advised to contact their nearest EPFO office for assistance.
In addition, the bank account linked to the scheme must be enabled for DBT transactions.
If DBT is not activated, employees should contact their bank and complete the required formalities.
Employers Also Get Incentives
The scheme is not only beneficial for employees.
Employers who create new jobs can also receive financial incentives under PMVBRY.
Depending on the employee’s wage level, employers can receive incentives ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 per month for each eligible worker.
The government hopes this will encourage businesses to create more formal jobs.
What Can Lead to Loss of Benefits?
Employees should be aware that their eligibility can also depend on their employer’s compliance with EPFO rules.
Establishments are required to file Electronic Challan-cum-Returns (ECRs) regularly and deposit EPF contributions on time.
Any delay in filing returns or depositing contributions could affect the release of benefits to eligible employees.
Scheme Already Helping Lakhs of Workers
According to Labour Ministry data, more than 20.7 lakh first-time employees had already benefited from the scheme by the end of 2025.
Additionally, over 2.35 lakh establishments had registered on the PMVBRY portal.
With the scheme remaining active for eligible jobs created until July 31, 2027, it could provide valuable financial support to millions of young Indians starting their careers in the formal sector.
For first-time job seekers, this could be an opportunity to earn an extra ₹15,000 while building a stable future in the organized workforce.
