{"id":390399,"date":"2026-07-15T11:00:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T05:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=390399"},"modified":"2026-07-15T10:27:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T04:57:03","slug":"epfo-launches-vishwas-2026-damages-settlement-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/07\/15\/epfo-launches-vishwas-2026-damages-settlement-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"Fraud Cases Excluded, But Everything Else Is In: EPFO&#8217;s VISHWAS 2026 Scheme Lets Employers Settle Pending EPF Damages Disputes at Lower Rates"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">On 9 July 2026, the <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Employees&#8217; Provident Fund Organisation<\/span> (EPFO) issued a circular announcing the operational rollout of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">VISHWAS, 2026<\/span>, a special dispute-settlement mechanism for cases involving damages levied under the Employees&#8217; Provident Funds framework.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This Scheme became effective from 29 June 2026 and will remain in force for six months period.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Key Points:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: decimal;\">\n<li>\n<p>VISHWAS, 2026 has been introduced under the <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Employees&#8217; Provident Funds Scheme, 2026<\/span> (EPF Scheme), which has been framed under the <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9000630911\" target=\"_blank\">Code on Social Security, 2020<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>This mechanism forms part of the broader Special Provisions introduced through Paragraph 60 of the EPF Scheme, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The Annexure to Paragraph 60 contains <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">three<\/span> major initiatives:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Employees&#8217; Enrolment Campaign, 2026<\/span> &#8212; aimed at bringing unenrolled employees into EPF coverage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">VISHWAS, 2026<\/span> &#8212; a special damages settlement mechanism.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">AMNESTY, 2026<\/span> &#8212; a regularization framework for exempted establishments and provident fund trusts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The EPFO&#8217;s circular operationalises and provides implementation guidance for Part B&#8212; VISHWAS, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The primary objective of VISHWAS, 2026 is to facilitate the amicable resolution of disputes relating to damages levied under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001538076\" target=\"_blank\">14B<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002796571\" target=\"_blank\">Employees&#8217; Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952<\/a> and Section 128 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9000630911\" target=\"_blank\">Code on Social Security, 2020<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The initiative seeks to reduce litigation, encourage voluntary compliance, and provide employers an opportunity to settle long-pending disputes involving EPF damages.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>VISHWAS, 2026 applies to damages related to defaults occurring prior to 14 June 2024 and covers the following categories of cases:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p>Cases where a damages order has been issued and is under challenge before a judicial forum.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Cases where a damages order has been issued but the amount remains unrecovered.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Cases where a notice has been issued but the final order is yet to be passed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Cases where even the damages notice is yet to be issued.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>A key feature of VISHWAS, 2026 is the application of reduced damages rates for eligible cases. For defaults occurring before <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">14 June 2024<\/span>, the following rates will apply:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #000000; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; margin-left: 4.82mm; margin-right: auto; table-layout: auto; width: 127.52mm;\">\n<colgroup>\n<col width=\"236\"\/>\n<col width=\"246\"\/><\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"middle\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #000000; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; padding-bottom: 0.0mm; padding-left: 1.91mm; padding-right: 1.91mm; padding-top: 0.0mm; vertical-align: middle; width: 62.5mm;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Period of Default<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"middle\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #000000; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; padding-bottom: 0.0mm; padding-left: 1.91mm; padding-right: 1.91mm; padding-top: 0.0mm; vertical-align: middle; width: 65.02mm;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Damage Rate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"middle\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #000000; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; padding-bottom: 0.0mm; padding-left: 1.91mm; padding-right: 1.91mm; padding-top: 0.0mm; vertical-align: middle; width: 62.5mm;\">\n<p>Up to 2 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"middle\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #000000; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; padding-bottom: 0.0mm; padding-left: 1.91mm; padding-right: 1.91mm; padding-top: 0.0mm; vertical-align: middle; width: 65.02mm;\">\n<p>0.25% per month<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"middle\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #000000; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; padding-bottom: 0.0mm; padding-left: 1.91mm; padding-right: 1.91mm; padding-top: 0.0mm; vertical-align: middle; width: 62.5mm;\">\n<p>More than 2 months but less than 4 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"middle\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #000000; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; padding-bottom: 0.0mm; padding-left: 1.91mm; padding-right: 1.91mm; padding-top: 0.0mm; vertical-align: middle; width: 65.02mm;\">\n<p>0.50% per month<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"middle\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #000000; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; padding-bottom: 0.0mm; padding-left: 1.91mm; padding-right: 1.91mm; padding-top: 0.0mm; vertical-align: middle; width: 62.5mm;\">\n<p>More than 4 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"middle\" colspan=\"1\" style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-left-width: 0.5pt; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #000000; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; padding-bottom: 0.0mm; padding-left: 1.91mm; padding-right: 1.91mm; padding-top: 0.0mm; vertical-align: middle; width: 65.02mm;\">\n<p>1.00% per month<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Employers seeking settlement under VISHWAS, 2026 must satisfy certain conditions:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p>Full payment of interest payable under Section 7Q of the EPF Act or Section 127 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Submission of an undertaking that no further appeal or litigation will be pursued after settlement.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Compliance with procedural requirements prescribed by EPFO.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Upon settlement under VISHWAS, 2026 and fulfillment of the prescribed conditions, pending disputes and appeals relating to damages stand resolved in accordance with the Scheme.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The circular also clarifies that:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p>If an establishment has already paid an amount greater than the revised damages calculated under VISHWAS, no refund will be granted.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>If the amount already paid is less than the revised damages, the differential amount must be paid.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Deposits made as pre-deposit for appeals under the earlier EPF Act or the Code on Social Security will be considered while computing liability.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The scheme does <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">not apply<\/span> to:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p>Cases where damages have already been fully recovered.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Matters involving fraud, misappropriation, or falsification of records.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Cases where the corresponding interest liability has not been fully remitted.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">[VISHWAS 2026 Notification, dt. 9-7-2026]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-style: italic;\">EPFO has operationalised VISHWAS, 2026 under the EPF Scheme, 2026, enabling settlement of eligible EPF damages cases at concessional rates to reduce litigation and promote compliance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67525,"featured_media":390400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,1193],"tags":[93154,109116,91883,109854,109851,109855,109856,109853,109852,109850],"class_list":["post-390399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legislationupdates","category-notifications","tag-code-on-social-security-2020","tag-employees-provident-funds-scheme-2026","tag-epf-compliance","tag-epf-damages-settlement","tag-epfo-circular","tag-epfo-dispute-resolution","tag-provident-fund-litigation","tag-section-128-social-security-code","tag-section-14b-epf-act","tag-vishwas-2026"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is 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