Employees' Provident Funds Scheme 2026: Revised rules for contributions and withdrawals

Key facts

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment notified the Employees' Provident Funds (EPF) Scheme, 2026, under the Code on Social Security, 2020, replacing the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952.
• Under the EPF Scheme, both employers and employees are required to contribute 12% of wages towards the provident fund.
• Full withdrawal of the provident fund is permitted for specified events, including retirement, permanent migration from India, and taking up employment overseas.
• Partial withdrawals for illness, education, marriage, housing-related needs, and other notified special circumstances are allowed, provided a minimum balance of 25% of total contributions is maintained.
• Employers are required to submit a consolidated return in Form V within 15 days of the scheme's applicability, including employee Aadhaar, Permanent Account Number (PAN), and Universal Account Number (UAN) details.