EPFO Introduces VISHWAS, 2026 Scheme for Dispute Resolution

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced the VISHWAS, 2026, scheme, a dispute resolution scheme for employers with pending Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) cases. Other than that, the EPFO has also announced an Amnesty Scheme, 2026, which provides a one-time opportunity for select establishments operating exempted provident fund (PF) trusts to regularise their position under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) statute.

Under VISHWAS, 2026, instead of paying normal damages under Section 14B, eligible employers can settle EPF cases by paying substantially reduced damages, provided they clear the applicable interest and meet the scheme’s conditions.

VISHWAS, 2026, which is a part of the EPFO 2026 scheme, will be applicable for six months starting from June 29, 2026.

What is VISHWAS, 2026?

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced VISHWAS, 2026, to facilitate the amicable settlement of disputes relating to damages levied under Section 14B of the EPF Act, 1952 (or Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020).

For example, if an employer delayed depositing EPF contributions and the EPFO imposed damages (penalty), this scheme allows the employer to settle the case by paying much lower damages than normally applicable. The following cases can be settled through the Vishawas, 2026, scheme.

1. Cases pending in court

If an EPF damages order has already been passed and the matter is pending before any court or tribunal.

2. Final orders where money is still recoverable

If the EPFO has already passed the damages order but the employer has not yet fully paid it.

3. Notice issued, order not yet passed

Where the EPFO has started proceedings by issuing a notice but the final order has not yet been issued.

4. No notice issued yet

Even if the EPFO has not yet issued a notice for delayed remittance, such cases can also come under the scheme.

Rate of damages under the Vishwas, 2026

Under VISHWAS, 2026, the damages for delays before June 14, 2024, will be charged at concessional rates:

0.25% per month for delays up to 2 months. 0.50% per month for delays of 2 to less than 4 months. 1% per month for delays beyond 4 months.

Important conditions for applicability of Vishawas, 2026, scheme

Note that an employer cannot simply pay reduced damages. The employer must first pay 100% of the interest payable under Section 7Q (or Section 127 of the Social Security Code), and then must submit a formal undertaking that no further appeal will be filed after settlement.

Which are excluded from the Vishwas 2026 scheme?

The following categories of cases are specifically excluded from the Vishwas, 2026:

(a) Establishments where damages have been fully recovered. (b) Cases involving fraud, misappropriation, or deliberate falsification of records. (c) Cases where interest under dispute has not been fully remitted.

What happens to pending litigation under the Vishawas 2026 scheme?

One objective of the scheme is to reduce litigation. If an employer settles under VISHWAS:

The employer agrees not to pursue further appeals, the EPFO will also coordinate withdrawal or disposal of pending cases wherever applicable.

Two consents that employers must provide under the Vishwas 2026 scheme-

The employer shall provide the following two consents:

1) For Payment under VISHWAS, 2026, confirmation that the payment will be made within 15 days from the date of approval of the competent authority.

2) The employer shall provide a mandatory declaration stating: "The applicant hereby undertakes that, consequent upon the abatement of the dispute under the VISHWAS, 2026, no further appeal or proceeding shall be filed before any court, tribunal, or other forum in respect of the said dues."

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