Chennai, July 4:
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has rolled out the revised Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 2026, bringing procedural changes while keeping the core contribution structure unchanged.
A key highlight of the new scheme is the ₹1,800 rule. Both employees and employers will continue to contribute 12% of wages to the provident fund. With the statutory wage ceiling fixed at ₹15,000 per month, the mandatory contribution remains ₹1,800—unchanged from the earlier system.
The scheme clarifies that any contribution beyond ₹1,800, typically based on higher salaries, will be treated as voluntary. Employers are not obligated to match contributions above the statutory limit.
In addition, EPFO has simplified withdrawal rules by grouping them into three main categories, including medical needs, education or marriage, and housing purposes.
The updated framework also places strong emphasis on digital services, such as online claims, e-passbook access, and Universal Account Number (UAN) integration, aimed at improving transparency and ease of use.
Officials stated that the new scheme does not increase the financial burden on employees but instead streamlines processes and enhances accessibility for millions of subscribers.