The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has urged eligible establishments to take advantage of VISHWAS 2026, a one-time settlement scheme that allows employers to resolve long-pending disputes related to EPF damages at significantly reduced penalty rates.

The scheme will remain open until December 28, 2026, with the government clarifying that the deadline will not be extended. Under the scheme, penalties for delayed PF payments have been substantially lowered from the normal rate, with charges set at 0.25% per month for delays up to two months, 0.50% per month for delays between two and four months, and 1% per month for delays beyond four months.

The scheme covers eligible cases involving PF payment delays before June 14, 2024, including matters pending before courts or tribunals, penalty orders awaiting recovery, notices where final orders are yet to be issued, and cases where delays are recorded by EPFO but no penalty notice has been served.

Employers must first clear the outstanding interest on delayed PF contributions before applying through the EPFO Employer Portal. The revised penalty will be calculated automatically, and applicants will get 15 days to make the payment, with an additional 15-day extension where required.

Once payment is confirmed, EPFO will issue a digitally signed Settlement Certificate, following which the related court or tribunal proceedings will be closed.

EPFO has established dedicated VISHWAS Cells and Helpdesks across its 153 regional offices to assist employers with the settlement process.