EPFO Introduces One-Time VISHWAS 2026 Scheme For Amicable Settlement Of Provident Fund Penalty Disputes The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched the VISHWAS 2026 scheme, a one-time initiative aimed at resolving disputes related to penalties or damages under specific legal provisions. Effective from 29 June 2026, the program will remain active for six months. The scheme seeks to encourage voluntary compliance among employers, reduce the burden of litigation, and expedite the resolution of long-standing disputes concerning provident fund penalties. Under VISHWAS 2026, eligible employers can settle pending penalty cases by paying significantly lower damages than the legally mandated rates. The revised penalty rates apply to defaults occurring before 14 June 2024. For defaults lasting up to two months, the rate is 0.25 percent per month. Defaults spanning two to four months will incur 0.50 percent monthly, while defaults exceeding four months will face a 1.00 percent monthly rate. The scheme covers four categories of cases. These include disputes where penalty or damage orders are under judicial review, cases with pending or partially recovered damages, instances where notices have been issued but final orders are pending, and cases where notices for penalties have not yet been issued. Employers seeking relief must ensure full payment of statutory interest under Section 7Q of the EPF & MP Act, 1952, or Section 127 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, before submitting applications. Applications must be submitted online via the EPFO Employer Portal using a Digital Signature Certificate or e-Sign. However, certain cases are excluded from the scheme.#provident_fund #epfo #vishwas_2026 #employer_portal #code_on_social_security
