NE BUSINESS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, OCT 15
Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 238th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in New Delhi on Monday.
Simplifying Compliance, Strengthening Trust 🤝
At the 238th Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting chaired by Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Vishwas Scheme was introduced to promote ease of compliance and reduce litigation. pic.twitter.com/KYyAD9bXWX
— Ministry of Labour & Employment, GoI (@LabourMinistry) October 15, 2025
The meeting, attended by senior officials including Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Mr. Ramesh Krishnamurthi, and the Central Provident Fund Commissioner, marked a landmark shift in EPFO’s governance and service framework—focusing on member convenience, digital transformation, and compliance reform.
At the 238th Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting, EPF withdrawals have been made simpler and more worker-friendly. 💼✨
Now, employees can withdraw 75% of their EPF balance anytime during or after leaving the job, and the full amount after one year of unemployment. pic.twitter.com/HVx9PJyexF
— Ministry of Labour & Employment, GoI (@LabourMinistry) October 15, 2025
- 238th CBT meeting chaired by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya clears liberalized EPF partial withdrawal norms, launches ‘Vishwas Scheme’ to ease compliance and boost employer trust
- New EPFO–IPPB partnership to deliver doorstep Digital Life Certificates for pensioners; four new fund managers appointed to ensure prudent investment
- EPFO 3.0 transformation framework to usher in faster claims, seamless digital experience, and transparent, technology-driven service for 30 crore members
Simplified and Liberalized EPF Withdrawals for Member Convenience
In a major pro-member decision, the CBT approved the simplification of partial withdrawal provisions by merging 13 complex clauses into a unified structure. Members can now withdraw up to 100% of their eligible PF balance, with withdrawal limits for education and marriage raised up to 10 and 5 times respectively.
The minimum service requirement for withdrawals has been reduced to 12 months across all categories. A new “Special Circumstances” clause allows members to withdraw funds without specifying reasons, reducing claim rejections.
To balance flexibility and security, members must maintain 25% of their corpus as a minimum balance, ensuring continued compounding at 8.25% annual interest. The changes enable auto-processed claims, faster settlements, and improved ease of living for 30 crore members.
‘Vishwas Scheme’ to Resolve Litigation and Promote Compliance
To tackle nearly 6,000 pending court cases and ₹2,400 crore in penal damages, the CBT launched the ‘Vishwas Scheme’, rationalizing penal damages to a graded rate of 0.25% to 1% per month.
This initiative aims to reduce employer litigation, simplify compliance, and foster trust between employers and the EPFO. It will remain in force for six months, extendable by another six, and covers cases across CGIT, High Courts, and the Supreme Court.
“The Vishwas Scheme will encourage voluntary compliance, reduce legal burden, and promote a transparent and cooperative environment for both employers and employees,” said Dr. Mandaviya.
Digital Life Certificates for Pensioners at Doorstep
The CBT also approved a MoU between EPFO and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to deliver doorstep Digital Life Certificate (DLC) services for EPS-95 pensioners.
At no cost to pensioners, the ₹50 per certificate service charge will be borne entirely by EPFO. This initiative is expected to ease life for elderly citizens, especially in rural areas, ensuring uninterrupted pensions and family pension continuity.
EPFO 3.0: Comprehensive Digital Transformation
As part of EPFO 3.0, the Board approved a member-centric digital framework integrating core banking, cloud-native architecture, and microservices-based modules.
Dr. Mandaviya inaugurated several re-engineered modules, including:
- Return Filing Module – Simplified four-step digital compliance workflow for employers.
- User Management Module – Enhanced security and automation for EPFO offices.
- e-Office v7 Upgrade – Streamlined digital file management and case resolution.
- SPARROW System – Paperless APAR management for officers and staff.
Ensuring Financial Security and Global Recognition
The CBT also approved the selection of four new fund managers to handle EPFO’s debt portfolio for the next five years, ensuring prudent investment and diversification.
Dr. Mandaviya highlighted EPFO’s achievements in expanding social security coverage to 64.3% of India’s population, earning global recognition at the World Social Security Forum 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
Empowering Employment and Social Security Expansion
The Board reviewed progress on the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), expected to create 3.5 crore jobs by 2027. It also noted digital breakthroughs such as Face Authentication UAN Activation, Passbook Lite, and Annexure K transparency tools, ensuring seamless access and accountability for members.
“EPFO 3.0 is not just a digital upgrade—it is a social reform ensuring accessibility, transparency, and trust in India’s largest social security institution,” said Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Chairperson, CBT–EPF.
