EPFO Wage Ceiling Raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000; 51 Lakh More Employees to Get Coverage

The Union Cabinet has approved raising the EPFO wage ceiling for mandatory coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month. The revised limit will take effect from September 17, 2026, bringing more than 51 lakh additional employees under the statutory social security framework.

Employees earning between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 per month will be covered under EPFO, subject to applicable provisions. The expanded coverage will provide access to provident fund savings, pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), and insurance protection under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI).

The government estimates an annual expenditure of around ₹11,339 crore on the measure, with the five-year cost projected at approximately ₹56,696 crore. The move is intended to widen formal social security coverage and strengthen long-term retirement protection for workers.

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