What is EPFO’s EES-2025 scheme? Who will benefit, the employee or the owner?

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has urged employers to avail the benefit of a special one time enrollment scheme. Under this scheme, 6 months time has been given to bring the eligible employees under the ambit of EPF. According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the move is aimed at expanding social security coverage and facilitating regularization of employees left between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025. Let us also tell you what is this special scheme of EPFO? How can one benefit from this?

One Time Enrollment Window under EES-2025

EPFO has launched Employment Enrollment Scheme (EES)-2025 to ease compliance for employers. The scheme provides a period of six months, starting from November 2025, whereby establishments can voluntarily enroll eligible employees who were previously out of EPF coverage. The statement said that establishments which were not earlier covered under the EPF Act can apply to be covered under it during this period and can declare and enroll eligible employees later. This initiative will also help employers regularize past defaults without facing lengthy legal proceedings or complicated procedures.

Companies will get this kind of relief

Under EES-2025, employers will get relief in cases where employees’ contributions were not deducted earlier. In such situations, employers will have to deposit only the employer’s share under section 7Q along with interest, administrative charges and punitive damages limited to a lump sum amount of Rs 100. The scheme also provides eligibility to establishments facing valuation scrutiny. Additionally, benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Vikas Bharat Rozgar Yojana can be availed subject to the terms and conditions of that scheme.

Calling it a timely opportunity, EPFO ​​has urged employers to participate and contribute to the national vision of “Social Security for All”. To ensure wide participation, the organization will contact the identified defaulting employers through SMS and email, and encourage them to regularize the pending compliances under EES-2025. A nationwide awareness campaign has also been launched to make employers aware of the provisions and benefits of the scheme. Also, EPFO ​​has approached various government officials to enroll contract and casual workers under the EPF framework.