The 238th Meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), EPF, held on 13 October 2025 under Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, marks a major shift in India’s social security system — focusing on simplification, digitalisation, and member empowerment.
Here’s what HR and compliance teams need to know
1. Simplified Partial Withdrawal Rules
EPFO has merged 13 withdrawal provisions into one unified rulebook.
- Withdraw up to 100% of eligible balance (employee + employer share).
- Service period cut to 12 months across all categories.
- Auto-settlement to minimise paperwork and delays.
2. “Vishwas Scheme” – One-Time Compliance Relief
- A six-month window to settle old PF penalty cases under Section 14B with damages capped at 1% per month.
3. EPFO 3.0 Digital Transformation
- A new CITES filing system, upgraded e-Office, and user-friendly employer modules will make claim and return processing faster and more transparent.
4. Doorstep DLC for Pensioners
- In partnership with India Post Payments Bank, pensioners can now submit Digital Life Certificates from home — free of cost.
5. Strengthened Fund Management
- EPFO has appointed four professional fund managers to oversee its debt portfolio for the next five years, reinforcing governance, diversification, and portfolio stability.
6. Alignment with National Job Creation Goals
- The Board reviewed progress under the PM-Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) — an employment-linked incentive programme targeting 3.5 crore new jobs and a ₹99,446 crore outlay between August 2025 and July 2027.
7. Global Recognition for India’s Social Security Leadership
- India’s EPFO achieved a historic milestone by securing membership in the Bureau of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) — the world’s apex body for social security systems.
- This membership grants India the highest voting rights in the ISSA General Assembly, reinforcing the nation’s global leadership in social security digitisation and inclusion.
Disclaimer:This article provides general information existing at the time of preparation and we take no responsibility to update it with the subsequent changes in the law. The article is intended as a news update and Affluence Advisory neither assumes nor accepts any responsibility for any loss arising to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material contained in this article. It is recommended that professional advice be taken based on specific facts and circumstances. This article does not substitute the need to refer to the original pronouncement.
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