EPFO Membership on the Rise: Govt Highlights Growing Job Opportunities

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi highlights a significant increase in EPFO memberships, pointing to improved employment generation and women's workforce participation.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, has stated that employment-related initiatives by the Central Government are yielding tangible results, especially in terms of increased workforce participation and social security coverage, as per a news report by The Hindu.

EPFO Sees Membership Surge Driven by Youth Employment Growth

Speaking at the 16th Rozgar Mela organised in partnership with South Western Railway (SWR) in Hubballi, Mr. Joshi noted a marked rise in the number of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) members. “In 2014, EPFO had 23.73 crore members. That number has seen a substantial rise, primarily due to an increase in employment opportunities for the youth,” he said.

Boost in Railway Recruitment

Highlighting job creation under Indian Railways, Mr. Joshi shared that 8,400 individuals had recently been hired, including 1,135 recruits specifically by South Western Railway. Additionally, recruitment for another 3,500 railway posts is expected to take place shortly.

Read More: Bhagalpur EPFO starts awareness drive about ELI scheme ahead of its launch.

Surge in Women’s Participation

One of the key takeaways from Mr. Joshi’s address was the increase in women's participation in the workforce. “Back in 2014, women accounted for 20% of the employedpopulation. Today, that figure has doubled to 40%,” he said, crediting the government’s pro-employment policies and gender-inclusive initiatives.

Economy on the Rise

The Minister also highlighted the country’s economic progress, stating that India has already become the fourth-largest economy globally. “At the current pace of growth, we are well on track to becoming the third-largest economy soon,” he said.

Read More: EPFO Credits Interest of 8.25% for FY25 to Most Members; Final Phase to Wrap Up This Week.

Conclusion

The rise in EPFO membership and increased participation of women in the workforce reflect the evolving employment landscape in India. While government initiatives appear to be contributing to job creation and social security coverage, the long-term impact will depend on sustained economic growth and inclusive policy implementation.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.