EPFO urges establishments to register under PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar scheme to avail monetary benefits

Under the scheme, new employees earning up to Rs 1 lakh per month and registering with the EPFO for the first time are eligible for a cash incentive of up to Rs 15,000. The amount will be transferred directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts in two instalments after six and 12 months of continuous employment.

Employers hiring additional staff, including first-time Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) registrants and rejoiners, will receive an incentive of up to Rs 3000 per employee per month for a period of two years, as per the scheme. The benefit will be available for four years for organisations in the manufacturing sector. The incentive amount will be credited into the employers’ PAN-linked bank accounts.

To qualify for the scheme, establishments with fewer than 50 employees must hire at least two additional workers, while those employing 50 or more people must recruit a minimum of five.

Employee UAN activation through Face Authentication Technology is mandatory. No separate application is required for employees to be covered. Employers must register through the EPFO Employers Portal or the dedicated PMVBRY website and ensure timely and accurate filing of the Electronic Challan cum Return.

In addition to the PMVBRY, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has announced the Employees Enrolment Campaign 2025, which will operate from November 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. The campaign provides employers an opportunity to enrol eligible employees who were left out of EPF coverage between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025. Under the scheme, the employee’s share of contribution will be waived if it was not deducted earlier. The employer must pay only their share, along with interest as per Section 7Q, and administrative charges. A nominal lump sum damage of one hundred rupees will be levied. Declarations can only be made for employees currently alive and still in service. Employers making declarations under this campaign will also be eligible for PMVBRY benefits, subject to compliance with the terms of both schemes.

The EPFO has directed employers to refer to the detailed guidelines available in the FAQs on the PMVBRY website, the related government notification issued on October 10, and the EPFO circular dated October 29.