New Delhi: India has significantly expanded the reach of social protection in recent years, with coverage increasing from 19 per cent in 2015 to 68.4 per cent in 2026, bringing more than one billion people within the social protection framework, an official factsheet said on Saturday. The figures are the government's own assessment, released ahead of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's 74th Foundation Day.

Source: BizzBuzz (IANS)

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) sits at the centre of that expansion for the formal workforce. Contributing members rose from 3.49 crore in 2014-15 to approximately 7.98 crore as of September 16, 2026 — an increase of about 4.49 crore members. As of September 2026, 7.68 lakh establishments were contributing to EPFO, the factsheet said. Pension coverage grew in parallel: EPFO paid pensions to 51.04 lakh pensioners in 2014-15, a figure that has climbed to around 82 lakh as of September 2026.

Source: Nation Press

68.4%Social protection coverage in 2026, up from 19% in 2015
7.98 croreEPFO contributing members (Sep 16, 2026)
82 lakhEPFO pensioners, up from 51.04 lakh in 2014-15
Rs 25,000/monthEPFO wage ceiling approved in September 2026

The wage ceiling for mandatory EPFO coverage was last revised in September 2014, from Rs 6,500 to Rs 15,000 per month; in September 2026 a further increase to Rs 25,000 per month was approved, a revision the government expects to extend mandatory coverage to over 51 lakh additional employees. The factsheet also noted that EPFO settled 6.42 crore claims in the last one-year period as of October 2026, against 1.30 crore claims settled in 2014-15, and that its 13 provisions governing partial withdrawals have been consolidated into three categories — Essential Needs, Housing Needs and Special Circumstances.

Source: BizzBuzz (IANS)

On the wider assistance side, the factsheet said the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana provides social assistance to eligible elderly persons, widows, persons with disabilities and bereaved families; the scheme was revised from the existing National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) in October 2026 and will continue from 2026-27 to 2030-31.

Source: BizzBuzz (IANS)

EPFO will celebrate its 74th Foundation Day in New Delhi on Sunday, November 1, where Union Minister for Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will launch new initiatives including the automatic settlement of eligible inoperative EPF accounts with balances up to Rs 1,000 and EPFO services through WhatsApp, according to an official statement reported by IANS. The minister will also present the Bhavishya Nidhi Awards 2026 to regional and zonal offices and employees.

Source: IANS via IANSLive