The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has introduced the Employees Enrolment Scheme 2025 as a proactive initiative to enhance social security coverage to millions of informal workers. After the launch date of EES 2025 (November 1, 2025), and before the end of the campaign (April 30, 2026), this program will allow employers to pull in voluntary compliance and increase EPFO subscriptions by enrolling all eligible employees who, for any reason, did not enrol under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in the past.
This campaign is a major enhancement of India’s social security system that will strive for inclusiveness, transparency and increased ease of compliance. This blog will summarize everything that employers need to know and employees need to know about it, its benefits, eligibility, and the campaign’s procedures.
What is the Employees’ Enrollment Scheme 2025?
The Employees Enrollment Scheme 2025 is a voluntary compliance campaign that allows employers, both registered and unregistered under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, to declare and enrol eligible employees who were employed between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025, but who were not enrolled in the EPF scheme for any reason.
The key objective is to formalize and bring these workers under organized social security with minimal financial and legal burden on employers, thereby expanding the EPFO’s reach and benefits like provident fund, pension, and insurance coverage.
Key Features of Employees Enrolment Scheme 2025
- Voluntary Declaration and Enrollment: Employers can voluntarily register employees who missed enrollment during the specified period without the fear of retrospective penal actions.
- Limited Financial Liability: Employee’s share of contributions for the past period is waived if not deducted earlier. Employers only pay their share, plus interest and administrative charges.
- Nominal Penal Damages: Employers pay a lump sum penal damage of ₹100 per establishment (irrespective of the number of employees enrolled) to encourage compliance.
- Online Declaration: The enrolment and declaration can be done through the official EPFO online portal, ensuring transparency and ease.
- No Suo Motu Actions: EPFO will not initiate enforcement proceedings if employers declare under this scheme.
- Eligibility for Other Schemes: Employers who enrol under EES 2025 become eligible for benefits under government employment schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (subject to terms).
- Scheme Duration: Open from November 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026.
Who Can Benefit From EES 2025?
- Employers who were not previously registered with EPFO but had employees working during the stated timeframe.
- Existing EPFO-registered establishments that failed to enrol all eligible employees.
- Employees who joined establishments between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2025, and were left out of EPF contributions.
Advantages of the Policy
For Employers:
- Monetary Assistance: Employees’ contribution waiver for the previous time offers cost reduction.
- Minimised Penalty: There is now a minimal penalty of ₹100 instead of a huge fine.
- Compliance History: An option to regularise past compliance, which helps with audits and inspections.
- Improved Company Branding: Improved employer branding demonstrating concern for the welfare of employees.
For Employees:
- Social Security Coverage: Security of provident fund benefits, pension, and insurance.
- Formal Employment status: The status of employment is recognized under statutory provisions.
- Access to Welfare: Eligibility for government welfare schemes and benefits associated with EPFO membership increases.
Procedure to Enrol Employees Under EES 2025
- Access the EPFO Online Portal: Employers must log onto the official EPFO website.
- Fill Declaration Form: Submit details of employees who were excluded, including joining dates and basic information.
- Link Payments: Employer’s share of provident fund contribution, interest, and administrative charges must be paid and linked to the declaration.
- Pay Penal Damage: A flat ₹100 penalty must be paid per establishment.
- Submit Declaration: Finalise the online submission and obtain the enrolment acknowledgement.
Important Considerations
- The scheme only applies to employees alive and currently employed on the date of declaration.
- Employee contribution share waiver applies only if it was never deducted formally.
- Participation is voluntary but encouraged for compliance and avoidance of penalties.
- Proper documentation and regular record maintenance will ease the enrolment process.
Vision of the Government and Future Outlook
The EES 2025 is in line with the government of India’s vision for formalizing the workforce, promoting social security penetration, and improving ease of doing business. The initiatives supplement other schemes that are focused on labour welfare and financial inclusion, and they mark a groundbreaking approach to universalising social protection.
Conclusion
The Employees Enrolment Scheme 2025 represents an opportunity for employers to regularise EPF coverage for workers who were previously not covered, with standard penalties and benefits clearly laid out. By proactively participating, business owners can be part of the solution to have a healthier and more secure workforce without the risks of having improper compliance.
Employees benefit through extended social safety nets, strengthening their economic security and dignity. This scheme not only represents regulatory ease but also a social commitment towards an inclusive India.
Related Services
