EPFO Launches Employee Enrolment Scheme 2025 To Cover Unregistered Workers

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has rolled out the Employee Enrolment Scheme 2025, according to a recent report by India Today. The programme, which started on 1 November 2025, is designed for employees who were never registered under the EPF. It allows them to access retirement and pension benefits while giving employers a practical way to formalise staff without facing large fines or backdated liabilities.

Who Can Join

The scheme is open to employees who joined their workplaces between 1 July 2017 and 31 October 2025 but were never enrolled in the EPF. Employers can now register these workers to make sure contributions are officially recorded.

Employers only need to pay their share of contributions, plus a small penalty of Rs 100 per employee. Past contributions from employees are not required. Even companies under EPFO review can participate. That makes it easier for smaller businesses or those who missed registration previously to comply without heavy costs (something many will welcome).

Benefits For Employees

Under this scheme, employees can start contributing to the provident fund and gain pension benefits. They also receive the protections that come with formal employment. Contributions are officially recorded, so employees can count on them when planning for retirement. This is especially helpful for those who have changed jobs often or worked in smaller firms that did not follow PF rules. In practice, even modest contributions today can grow into a significant retirement corpus over the years. For many, this is the first chance to start building such savings.

Benefits For Employers

Employers also benefit. The scheme gives a clear path to regularise previously unregistered staff, reducing potential legal risks and signalling a commitment to employee welfare. Enrolling employees can also improve morale and trust in the workplace, which often helps with retention. Smaller companies could really benefit from this scheme, especially when it comes to making their staff feel secure. The Employee Enrolment Scheme 2025 is also part of the government’s bigger push to formalise jobs. At the same time, it helps bring more workers under social-security coverage, which is a step forward for those who were previously outside the system.

More registered employees strengthen the system, making it more reliable for workers and easier for regulators to monitor.

There are discussions about raising the wage ceiling for EPF eligibility, which could allow even more employees to benefit from the programme. For employees and employers outside the system, the scheme is timely. Workers gain long-term financial protection, and businesses can comply with regulations in a manageable, low-cost way. Overall, this is an opportunity worth considering.