World · India Bureau
India launches EPF enrolment drive to cover workers left out since 2009
The government's Employees' Enrolment Campaign 2026 offers employers a chance to regularize pension contributions for eligible workers excluded from the EPF system over the past 17 years. The initiative aims to bring previously uncovered employees into the social security net.
LSN India ·
India's Ministry of Labour and Employment has initiated the Employees' Enrolment Campaign (EEC) 2026, a special exercise designed to address coverage gaps in the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) system. The campaign allows employers to declare and formally enrol workers who were ineligible or left out of the pension scheme between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2026.
The move represents a concerted effort to bridge longstanding gaps in social security coverage. Many workers across organized and semi-organized sectors have historically been excluded from EPF benefits due to administrative oversights, employer non-compliance, or eligibility issues. This campaign provides a structured window for employers to rectify such cases without facing retrospective penalties.
Eligible workers who were not enrolled during the specified 17-year period can now be brought into the fold through their employers' participation in the campaign. The regularization process allows for backdated contributions and benefit accrual, ensuring workers receive pension protection commensurate with their service period.
Employers interested in participating must complete the enrolment process within the prescribed timeline and submit required documentation to their respective EPF regional offices. The campaign underscores the government's push to expand social security coverage and formalize employment relationships across the country.