NationalSaturday, 18 July 2026·The Hindu - Economy
EPF Scheme 2026 makes contributions above ₹1,800 voluntary for wages beyond ₹15,000 ceiling
The Labour Ministry notified the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme 2026 on June 29, 2026, making contributions above the wage ceiling voluntary.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On 29 June 2026, the Labour and Employment Ministry notified the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme 2026, under which contributions above the monthly wage ceiling of ₹15,000 became voluntary.
Key specifics
- The present wage ceiling of ₹15,000 per month was notified in 2014.
- Under the new scheme, employer and employee contributions are limited to the wage ceiling unless higher wages are permitted under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995.
- The employer’s contribution rate remains 12% of wages, and the employee’s contribution is equal to the employer’s contribution.
- Earlier, the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme 1952 covered employees with basic wages up to ₹15,000 mandatorily.
- The 2014 amendment to the Employees’ Pension Scheme restricted the 8.33% employer pension contribution to the ₹15,000 ceiling.
Exam lens
Question type: labour welfare and social security, EPF Scheme 1952, EPF Scheme 2026, ₹15,000 ceiling, 12% contribution, 8.33% pension rule; TNPSC may ask what changed for wages above the ceiling.