Centre notifies Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme-2026, effective from June 29
New Delhi, July 02: The Central Government has notified the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme 2026. This scheme, operated by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), has become effective from June 29. The new scheme will replace the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme of 1952.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 2026, Employees’ Pension Scheme, 2026 and Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme, 2026 under the Social Security Code. The new social security schemes operated by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation will have special emphasis on digital compliance and timely settlement of claims like Provident Fund (PF) withdrawal and pension settlement.
The scheme aims to strengthen digital compliance, improve administrative efficiency, simplify account transfers, and align the provident fund structure with new labor laws. Under the new scheme, the mandatory EPF contribution will remain at 12% of the employee’s and employer’s salary. The existing rate of 10% will remain applicable for establishments notified by the central government.
The Labor Ministry will focus on digital compliance and timely claim settlement under the new EPFO scheme. The new social security scheme, run by the retirement fund body EPFO, will focus on digital compliance and timely claim settlement (such as PF withdrawals and pension settlements).
According to the ministry, partial withdrawal rules have also been updated. To improve transparency and make provident fund management more efficient, emphasis has been placed on electronic filing, online claims, e-passbooks, and integration with the Universal Account Number.
The central government has implemented the new EPF scheme in the country on June 29 under the Social Security Code, replacing the old 1952 system. Now, employed people will be able to withdraw up to 100% of the eligible 75% amount from their PF account for needs like illness, education, marriage and housing.
