India Expands Social Security Coverage and EPFO Reforms
PIB Backgrounder · Governance · Posted 31 OCT 2026 9:46AM
What happened
The government approved an increase in the mandatory EPFO wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, bringing over 51 lakh additional employees under formal social security coverage. The release highlights major digital and administrative reforms, including streamlined withdrawal rules, auto-settlement limits up to ₹5 lakh, and dispute-settlement schemes like VISHWAS and AMNESTY 2026.
Why it matters for UPSC
This PIB release is crucial for UPSC General Studies Paper II (Governance, Social Security, and Welfare Schemes), as it details structural and digital reforms in India's social security architecture administered by the EPFO.
Key objectives
- Increased the mandatory EPFO coverage wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month.
- Introduced new schemes under the Social Security Code, 2020: EPF 2026, EPS 2026, and EDLI 2026 offering insurance up to ₹7 lakh.
- Launched VISHWAS 2026 and AMNESTY 2026 schemes to resolve disputes, reduce litigation, and regularise PF trusts.
- Enhanced digital delivery through automated claim settlements up to ₹5 lakh and Aadhaar-based Face Authentication for UAN generation.