Social Security Cover at 68.4% as EPFO Ceiling Hits Rs 25,000

A backgrounder issued on 31 October 2026 sets out how far India's social security net has been stretched. The share of the population covered by social protection has climbed from 19% in 2015 to 68.4% in 2026, which means more than one billion people now sit inside the framework.

The wage ceiling jump

The salary limit above which membership of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) stops being compulsory had last been touched in September 2014, when it moved from Rs 6,500 to Rs 15,000 a month. In September 2026 a fresh revision to Rs 25,000 a month was approved. Over 51 lakh additional employees are expected to come within compulsory cover because of it.

Three new schemes under the Code

Three schemes were recast under the Code on Social Security, 2020. The Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026 handles retirement savings and allows part withdrawals for housing, higher education, marriage and medical treatment. The Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026 took the place of the 1995 pension scheme and pays a monthly pension on superannuation, retirement or disability, and to the dependants of a member who dies. The Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 2026 replaced the 1976 scheme and gives cover of up to Rs 7 lakh on death in service, with no separate premium from the member.

How far EPFO has grown

Reforms in delivery

• Thirteen rules on part withdrawal were folded into three heads: essential needs, housing needs and special circumstances. Members may draw up to 75% of the balance, with a minimum service of 12 months.
• Auto-settlement of eligible advance claims was lifted to Rs 5 lakh, and cheque-leaf or passbook uploads were dropped for online claims.
• VISHWAS, 2026 offers a one-time settlement of damage and penalty disputes, and AMNESTY, 2026, open until 28 December 2026, lets establishments regularise provident fund trusts.
• EPFO 3.0, built on core banking, aims to cut settlement time from as long as 20 days to under 3 days for over 30 crore members.

Beyond EPFO

The Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, revised in October 2026 from the National Social Assistance Programme, will run from 2026-27 to 2030-31 and pays old age, widow and disability pensions along with a family benefit of Rs 20,000. The disability threshold was eased from 80% to 40%. e-Shram, launched in August 2021, had 31.89 crore registrations by August 2026, while PM-SYM assures Rs 3,000 a month after the age of 60 to unorganised workers who join between 18 and 40 years.