EPFO delays UPI-linked PF withdrawals to May-end amid final testing The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has postponed the rollout of UPI-linked pension fund withdrawals to the end of May as it completes final testing for the sixth and last module of its Centralised IT Enabled System (CITES) 2.0 upgrade. Originally scheduled for March, the delay follows ongoing user testing for the final module, which focuses on grievance and compliance processes. CITES 2.0 represents a comprehensive overhaul of EPFO's legacy IT infrastructure, replacing fragmented, office-based systems with a centralized platform. The project is divided into six modules, each addressing specific functions: member accounts, employer filings, claims, pensions, finance, and compliance/grievance redressal. Five modules have already been implemented, while the sixth, handling compliance and grievance management, is currently under testing. The transition will require a temporary shutdown of EPFO services for approximately two days, likely during a weekend, to facilitate a full migration of data and software for all members and employers. A senior official overseeing the rollout noted that this downtime is necessary due to the system's complete redevelopment. The new platform, developed by a third-party IT firm under EPFO's supervision, will be accompanied by a dedicated mobile app distinct from the UMANG portal. This app will link users' bank accounts, enabling faster access to funds. Officials have indicated that users may withdraw up to 75% of their PF balance through the UPI-linked system, streamlining the process compared to traditional methods.#ministry_of_labour_and_employment #epfo #cites_2_0 #upi_linked_pf_withdrawals #umang_portal
Labour Ministry Leverages Influencers to Promote Pension Scheme for Workers The Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched an initiative to engage digital influencers in promoting the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme, aiming to increase awareness and expand social security coverage for informal workers. The Directorate General of Labour Welfare (DGLW), which oversees welfare programs for informal sector workers and industries under labour welfare funds, issued a call for collaboration with influencers. Interested creators are invited to submit their details via email by March 25, 2026, to participate in the campaign. In a social media post, the DGLW emphasized the importance of digital platforms in public outreach, urging responsible and credible influencers to disseminate accurate information about the scheme. The initiative targets grassroots and informal sector communities, ensuring they are informed about their pension entitlements. The ministry highlighted that influencers can play a significant role in expanding social security awareness and connecting eligible workers with the benefits of the PM-SYM scheme. This outreach effort aligns with broader government strategies to integrate informal and platform workers into formal welfare systems. Recent policy measures, such as the Code on Social Security, 2020, have aimed to extend social security coverage to workers across organized and unorganized sectors, including gig and platform workers. India’s largely informal labour force has prompted legislative changes to strengthen the social security net. The ministry’s use of influencers also reflects a growing trend in government communication.#ministry_of_labour_and_employment #directorate_general_of_labour_welfare #pradhan_mantri_shram_yogi_maandhan #code_on_social_security_2020 #mygov
