EPFO Enrolment Campaign 2026 Opens for Workers Left Outside PF

The Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2026 (EEC 2026) has opened a one‑time window for salaried workers who were eligible for the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) but remained outside the formal system between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2026. Employers can bring these workers under EPF coverage until 31 October 2026 by filing a declaration.

To qualify, the employee must be alive and still employed with the establishment at the time of declaration. The employer pays a nominal fee, deposits its share of EPF from the employee’s declared date of joining, and adds applicable interest, administrative charges and a ₹100 lump‑sum damage.

A key relief is that the employee’s share of EPF contributions is waived if those contributions were not deducted from wages in the past. Consequently, workers who were not covered will retain both their contributions and the interest that would have accrued, avoiding any loss.

Workers who exited the establishment before the declaration cannot be declared under the campaign, and no suo‑motu compliance action will be taken against them if the employer submits the prescribed undertaking. Employers must generate a UAN via the UMANG app, remit contributions through the Electronic Challan‑cum‑Return platform, and conduct an internal audit to identify eligible employees.

Editor's note: The draft accurately synthesizes the campaign details, requirements, and exclusions provided in the source.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: Livemint Money