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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesEPFO’s VISHWAS, 2026 scheme took effect on 29 June 2026 and is scheduled to close on 28 December 2026. It offers eligible employers a reduced rate of damages or penalty for certain pre-14 June 2024 provident-fund defaults—but it does not waive applicable statutory interest. Employers must pay that interest in full before applying and agree not to pursue a further appeal over the settled dispute.
What is VISHWAS, 2026?
VISHWAS, 2026 is a one-time Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) initiative for settling eligible disputes about damages or penalty levied for delayed provident-fund contributions. The Ministry of Labour & Employment says it was notified through G.S.R. 525(E) on 29 June 2026 and took effect that day. It covers damages or penalty under Section 14B of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, and Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. Read the 17 July 2026 PIB launch release.
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The scheme applies to qualifying defaults before 14 June 2024. It concerns the damages or penalty component of a dispute; statutory interest is treated separately.
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Who is eligible for VISHWAS 2026?
The launch notice identifies four broad case categories that may be covered, subject to the scheme’s detailed conditions and the employer’s records:
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- A case in which the employer has challenged a damages or penalty order before a court or tribunal and the challenge is pending.
- A final order for which recovery is pending or only partly completed, including a case with a recovery certificate.
- A notice has been issued, but a final order is still pending.
- A notice has not yet been issued for the relevant default.
These categories do not establish eligibility by themselves. The default must fall within the scheme’s stated period, and the case must meet its conditions and exclusions. The operative notification and EPFO records determine how a specific case is treated.
What damages rates does the scheme provide?
For eligible defaults before 14 June 2024, the launch release states these monthly damages rates by duration of delay:
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| Delay duration | Stated damages rate |
|---|---|
| Up to two months | 0.25% per month |
| Two months to less than four months | 0.50% per month |
| More than four months | 1.00% per month |
These figures are damages rates, not interest rates. The EPFO release requires the employer to remit the full applicable statutory interest separately under Section 7Q of the EPF & MP Act or Section 127 of the Code on Social Security before applying. The rates above do not by themselves determine the amount payable in an individual case.
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The public release notes that the scheme rules address amounts already paid and statutory pre-deposits, but it does not provide enough detail to calculate every case. Check the operative scheme text and the employer’s EPFO records for the applicable calculation rather than inferring how earlier payments or deposits will be adjusted. The launch release sets out the published rate bands and preconditions.
Do I have to pay Section 7Q interest before applying?
Yes. The employer must first pay the entire applicable statutory interest under Section 7Q of the EPF & MP Act or Section 127 of the Code on Social Security. VISHWAS reduces the stated damages or penalty rate for eligible cases; it does not replace or waive that interest.
The employer must also give an undertaking that no further appeal will be pursued in respect of the dispute settled under the scheme. Consider the effect of that undertaking before filing, particularly if an appeal is pending.
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Which cases are excluded?
The launch notice excludes cases where damages have already been fully recovered. It also excludes cases involving fraud, misappropriation or deliberate falsification of records. If a case involves any of these issues, the published summary does not support treating it as eligible under VISHWAS.
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How do I apply under EPFO VISHWAS 2026?
The September update describes an online application through the EPFO Employer Portal. The employer uses a digital signature certificate (DSC) or e-sign to authenticate the application. The process described by the Ministry is:
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- Check the case category and confirm that the underlying default and dispute appear to fall within the scheme’s scope.
- Confirm the applicable statutory interest has been paid in full before applying, and review the effect of the required no-further-appeal undertaking.
- Sign in to the EPFO Employer Portal, select the relevant case category and upload the required documents.
- Complete digital authentication using DSC or e-sign.
- Review the system’s recalculated amount and follow the payment instructions. The Ministry’s 3 September 2026 update states that payment is due within 15 days, with a further 15-day extension where required.
- After payment is confirmed, retain the digitally signed Settlement Certificate and verify the status of any covered court or tribunal proceedings.
The September update says EPFO issues a digitally signed Settlement Certificate after payment confirmation and that proceedings pending before a court or tribunal in respect of the settled dispute stand closed. This describes the covered proceedings; it should not be read as extinguishing unrelated dues or other proceedings. See the Ministry’s 3 September 2026 update.
What is the last date to apply?
The stated closing date is 28 December 2026. In its 3 September 2026 update, the Ministry said the date would not be extended. Because this is a time-limited scheme and portal instructions can be operationally important, check the live EPFO Employer Portal before filing. The September update also gives the deadline and payment sequence.
For assistance, the Ministry’s update says support is available through 153 EPFO Regional Offices and gives the helpline as 1800-180-1820. An employer with uncertainty about eligibility, prior payments, pre-deposits or the effect of the appeal undertaking may also want a qualified EPF compliance professional or labour-law adviser to review the case against the operative scheme text and records.
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