The Ministry of Labour and Employment has increased the statutory wage ceiling under EPFO from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, effective September 17, 2026.
On September 23, 2026, the Ministry of Labour and Employment announced an increase in the statutory wage ceiling for mandatory coverage under the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month. The revision took effect on September 17, 2026, as stated in a notification published in the Gazette of India under the Code on Social Security, 2020. This development signifies significant financial benefits for employees, enabling them to accumulate larger retirement funds through increased Provident Fund contributions and accrued interest. Correspondingly, employers are required to match these contributions based on the revised ceiling. To alleviate additional financial burden on businesses, employers can avail incentives up to ₹3,000 per month under the Central Government's PMVBRY scheme. The benefit is available for up to two years for non-manufacturing establishments and up to four years for manufacturing units. In compliance with this order, the EPFO Regional Office in Goa issued an advisory directing local establishments to update their payroll and compliance systems by September 17, 2026. Establishments have been advised to enroll workers earning between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 per month, who were previously excluded; file timely Electronic Challan-cum-Returns (ECR); and seed Aadhaar and KYC details on the portal to claim government incentives.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
