Employees’ Enrolment Campaign (EEC) 2025 — Detailed Employer Guide
Objective: To help employers voluntarily register employees who were eligible for Provident Fund benefits but remained unenrolled between 1 July 2017 and 31 October 2025.
1. Introduction
The Employees’ Enrolment Campaign (EEC) 2025 has been launched by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) as a proactive step to improve social security coverage across India’s workforce. Many organisations, especially small and medium enterprises, may have missed enrolling certain eligible employees in earlier years. The campaign now provides them a fair opportunity to rectify this without facing heavy penalties or prosecution.
2. Purpose of the Campaign
The central objective of EEC 2025 is to bring every eligible employee into the EPF network. By reducing penalties and simplifying the declaration process, the EPFO encourages voluntary participation rather than punitive enforcement. This approach benefits both employers and employees — employers can clear backlogs at minimal cost, and employees gain long-term social security and pension coverage.
3. Eligibility Criteria
The campaign applies to employees who:
- Joined employment between 1 July 2017 and 31 October 2025.
- Are alive and currently in service on the date of declaration.
- Were eligible for PF coverage under the EPF & MP Act, 1952 but were not previously enrolled under EPF, EPS, or EDLI.
Employers covered under the EPF Act — whether factories, shops, commercial establishments, or service organisations — can participate. Even employers newly registered under EPFO can declare employees under this campaign if they meet the conditions above.
4. Key Benefits to Employers
- Waiver of Employee’s Share: If the employee share was not deducted from wages earlier, the employer is not required to pay it now.
- Reduced Damages: A token penalty of ₹100 per employee instead of the standard penal damages applicable under regular enforcement.
- No Prosecution: Employers who voluntarily declare under the campaign are protected from legal proceedings for past non-enrolment of such employees.
- Peace of Mind: Regularisation now prevents future liabilities, inspections, or audits related to undeclared employees.
5. Employer Action Steps
Employers should act promptly to take full advantage of the EEC 2025 scheme. Below is a step-by-step guide:
- Identify eligible employees: Review records from 1 July 2017 to 31 October 2025 to find workers who should have been covered under EPF.
- Verify deductions: Confirm if any employee share was deducted earlier; if not, the waiver can be claimed.
- Create or verify UAN: For each employee, ensure UAN exists and face authentication is completed through UMANG app or EPFO portal.
- Compute contributions: Calculate employer’s share along with interest and administrative charges for the back period.
- Submit declaration: File the declaration online through the EPFO portal in a single submission and pay due contributions via ECR.
- Ensure future compliance: Deduct and deposit PF contributions regularly from the date of declaration onwards to maintain continuity.
6. Official Notifications & Circulars
The EPFO has issued detailed guidelines and official circulars to clarify procedures, eligibility, and payment methods under the campaign. Employers should refer to the documents below before making any declaration:
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many employers miss campaign benefits due to technical or documentation errors. Keep these points in mind:
- Submit one consolidated declaration only. Multiple submissions for the same establishment are not allowed.
- Do not include employees who already have PF accounts or were covered previously.
- Ensure accuracy in joining dates, wages, and service status before filing the declaration.
- Cross-check pending inquiries under Section 7A, Para 26B, or Para 8 before applying, as such cases may not qualify for relaxation.
- Maintain proper payroll and deduction records to validate claims if inspected later.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the validity period of EEC 2025?
The campaign is valid from 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026. Employers should make declarations within this window to avail of the benefits.
Is the employee share always waived?
No. The waiver applies only where the employee share was never deducted from wages. If the employer had deducted the employee contribution earlier, it must be deposited along with the employer’s share and interest.
Can establishments under inquiry apply?
Yes, establishments under inquiry can apply, but they will not receive the employee-share waiver or damages relief. Both shares must be paid with applicable interest and penalties as directed by the EPFO authorities.
Can multiple declarations be made?
No. Only one comprehensive declaration per establishment is permitted under this campaign. Employers should ensure that all eligible employees are included in the first and only submission.
9. Assistance & Support
Compliance Age Solutions assists businesses across India in completing their PF enrolment and ensuring end-to-end labour law compliance. Our team helps employers assess eligibility, compute contributions, create UANs, and file declarations accurately under EEC 2025.
Timely action under this campaign not only safeguards your establishment from penalties but also improves your compliance rating and employee satisfaction. Contact our experts today to regularise your PF compliance before the deadline.