First full-month EPF return under the new ₹25,000 wage ceiling
What’s happening
The Cabinet raised the mandatory EPF, EPS and EDLI wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month effective September 17, 2026, pulling about 5.1 million more employees into compulsory coverage; October is the first full payroll month, and EPFO pushed the split-month September return to October 31. Newly covered employees now have 12% deducted on wages up to ₹25,000, so their take-home pay drops.
What to do
Check that payroll has enrolled newly covered staff, and explain the take-home change with a short session on what their EPF and pension savings add up to.
How Workbliss can help
Workbliss financial wellbeing sessions explain changes like this in plain language, country by country.
Plan support for your teamsSource
newsonair.gov.in. Checked October 19, 2026.