EPFO Encourages Employers to Enrol Excluded Workers, Announces Six-Month Compliance Window

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has called on employers to voluntarily bring eligible workers into the EPF framework who were previously excluded. 

This follows the introduction of the Employees’ Enrolment Scheme (EES) 2025, which offers a six-month compliance period beginning November 2025. 

The initiative allows employers to regularise past gaps in EPF coverage under defined conditions.

Six-Month Window Under EES 2025

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has outlined that EES 2025 provides a limited compliance period of six months starting from November 2025. 

During this time, employers can enrol eligible employees who were not covered under EPF between 1 July 2017 and 31 October 2025.

The scheme is intended to address past non-compliance through a structured and time-bound approach.

Scope of Eligible Employees

Employers may include workers who met EPF eligibility criteria during the specified period but were not enrolled. 

By doing so, organisations can regularise earlier omissions and align with statutory requirements without facing the full range of penalties typically associated with non-compliance.

Contribution and Penalty Provisions

Under EES 2025, where employee contributions were not previously deducted, employers are required to deposit only their share of contributions. 

In addition, interest under Section 7Q, applicable administrative charges, and penal damages capped at a lump sum of ₹100 will apply. 

Compliance under these terms will be considered complete across all three EPFO-administered schemes.

Outreach to Defaulting Employers

EPFO will directly reach out to identified defaulting employers via SMS and email. These communications will encourage organisations to use the one-time relaxation provided under EES 2025 to address outstanding compliance issues within the permitted timeframe.

Read More: EPFO Withdrawal Rules 2025: Key Changes, Pension Norms and Common Myths Busted.

Conclusion

The six-month compliance window under EES 2025 offers employers an opportunity to correct past exclusions from EPF coverage within a defined and regulated framework. 

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