The CBT approved a pilot project for automatic settlement of inoperative EPF accounts with unclaimed balances of ₹1,000 or less. Around 1.33 lakh accounts, totaling nearly ₹5.68 crore, will be credited directly to members’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, eliminating procedural delays. This member-centric initiative will simplify access to funds and expedite receipt of long-pending dues, with plans to extend the facility to larger balances in subsequent phases.
Amnesty Scheme for Exempted Establishments
To protect workers’ interests and resolve pending disputes, the Board approved a one-time Amnesty Scheme for exempted establishments and income-tax recognized trusts. The scheme provides a six-month window for compliance, waiving penalties and interest for those offering benefits equal to or above statutory requirements. It is expected to resolve over 100 ongoing litigation cases and benefit thousands of trust members.
Simplified EPF Exemption SOP
CBT introduced a unified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for EPF exemption, consolidating four previous SOPs and the Exemption Manual. The new digital framework streamlines surrender and transfer of past accumulations, reduces compliance burden, ensures transparency, and incentivizes compliant behavior through risk-based audits. This technology-driven approach enhances efficiency and facilitates faster processing of exemption cases.
New EPF, EPS & EDLI Schemes
In alignment with the Code on Social Security, 2020, the Board approved updated EPF, EPS, and EDLI schemes for 2026. These schemes provide a legally robust foundation for administering provident fund, pension, and insurance benefits, replacing the existing frameworks to ensure smooth transition and continuity of social security coverage.
Annual Report & Financial Performance
The EPFO Annual Report for FY 2024–25 was approved, highlighting strong operational and financial performance. Total contributions reached ₹3,35,628.81 crore, with 2,86,894 new establishments and 1.22 crore new members enrolled. The organisation served over 81 lakh pensioners, settled 6.01 crore claims, and addressed 17.33 lakh grievances. Digital initiatives, including the Centralised Pension Payment System and Facial Authentication Technology for life certificates, enhanced service delivery.
Investment Governance and SOPs
The Board approved SOPs for corporate actions, buybacks, equity ETF investments, and Liquid Mutual Fund management. These reforms strengthen governance, liquidity management, and compliance, while optimising returns across EPFO schemes. The corpus of ₹28.34 lakh crore as of March 2025 is prudently managed through structured decision-making and multi-layered audit oversight to safeguard members’ long-term interests.
Recruitment and Social Security Agreements
CBT approved the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to conduct recruitment and promotion exams for EPFO, ensuring transparent and timely hiring. Additionally, India signed a Double Contributions Convention (DCC) Agreement with the United Kingdom under CETA, reducing social security costs for workers and employers and enhancing competitiveness of Indian talent abroad.