The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign 2026 (EEC 2026) to bring eligible workers who were previously left out into the EPF framework. EPFO has urged employers to take advantage of this one-time initiative and register missed employees. The deadline for this special drive is October 31, 2026. Eligible Beneficiaries Target Window: Covers employees who missed out on EPF coverage between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2026. Criteria: The employee must be alive and actively working with the same establishment on the date the declaration is made. Core Goal: Integrate left-out workers into the formal social security system, unlocking benefits like provident funds, pensions, and insurance. Employer Responsibilities and Registration Process Employers are advised to audit their historic employment and payroll records to identify eligible employees missing from the scheme. The process is fully digital: Identity Verification: Universal Account Numbers (UAN) for declared employees must be generated via the UMANG App using Face Authentication. Contributions: Monthly contributions will be deposited via the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) system. Relief and Regularization Terms EEC 2026 provides key relaxations to facilitate smooth regularization of historical non-compliance: Employee Share: If the employee’s contribution was not deducted from their salary at the time, that portion can be waived under campaign guidelines. Employer Obligations: Employers must pay their share of contributions, interest, administrative charges, and applicable damages. Deadline and Submission As a time-bound initiative, EPFO advises companies not to wait until the final deadline. All evaluations and submissions must be completed before October 31, 2026. Post navigation HSBC Reopens Three International Mutual Funds for Fresh Subscriptions: Key Details for Investors
