EPFO's VISHWAS, 2026 and Amnesty Scheme, 2026 come into force with EPF Scheme, 2026
The Ministry of Labour and Employment notified the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026 vide G.S.R. 525(E) on 29 June 2026, bringing into force VISHWAS, 2026 for settling EPF damages disputes and a six-month Amnesty Scheme for unexempted PF trusts.
Summary
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) schemes VISHWAS, 2026 and the Amnesty Scheme, 2026 came into force on 29 June 2026, when the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026 was notified vide Gazette notification G.S.R. 525(E). VISHWAS, 2026 is a one-time, six-month window to settle disputes over damages levied under Section 14B of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and penalties under Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. Damages for defaults before 14 June 2024 are recalculated at 0.25% a month for defaults up to two months, 0.50% for two to less than four months and 1.00% beyond four months; employers must first remit the full statutory interest and give an undertaking not to appeal, and cases of fraud or falsified records are excluded. The Amnesty Scheme, also open for six months, lets establishments running Provident Fund Trusts recognised under the Income Tax Act, 1961 but lacking a formal exemption notification obtain retrospective exemption under Section 17 of the 1952 Act and Section 143 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
Key facts
- Notification
- G.S.R. 525(E), 29 June 2026 (EPF Scheme, 2026)
- Validity
- Six months from notification (both schemes)
- VISHWAS covers
- Damages under Section 14B, EPF & MP Act 1952; penalty under Section 128, Code on Social Security 2020
- Reduced rates
- 0.25% / 0.50% / 1.00% per month for defaults before 14 June 2024
- Amnesty
- Retrospective exemption to PF trusts under Section 17 of the 1952 Act and Section 143 of the Code
- Excluded from VISHWAS
- Fraud, misappropriation, falsified records; fully recovered cases
Practice MCQs 4 questions
VISHWAS, 2026, which came into force on 29 June 2026 as part of the EPF Scheme, 2026, is meant for:
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Correct answer: A — Settlement of disputes over EPF damages and penalties
VISHWAS, 2026 is a one-time dispute resolution initiative to settle disputes over damages under Section 14B of the EPF & MP Act, 1952 and penalties under Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
The EPFO Amnesty Scheme, 2026 grants retrospective exemption to establishments running recognised Provident Fund Trusts under which section of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952?
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Correct answer: B — Section 17
Amnesty is granted retrospectively under Section 17 of the EPF & MP Act, 1952 and Section 143 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. Section 14B deals with damages and Section 7Q with interest.
Under VISHWAS, 2026, damages for a default of more than four months, pertaining to the period before 14 June 2024, are recalculated at:
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Correct answer: C — 1.00% per month
The reduced rates are 0.25% a month for defaults up to two months, 0.50% for two to less than four months, and 1.00% for defaults exceeding four months.
Consider the following statements about the EPFO schemes notified in June 2026: 1. Both VISHWAS, 2026 and the Amnesty Scheme, 2026 are part of the EPF Scheme, 2026 notified vide G.S.R. 525(E) dated 29 June 2026. 2. The Amnesty Scheme is open for six months from notification. 3. Cases involving fraud or deliberate falsification of records can be settled under VISHWAS, 2026. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Cases of fraud, misappropriation or deliberate falsification of records are excluded from VISHWAS, 2026, so statement 3 is wrong.