.png "Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs 239th meeting of CBT & EPF")
- The Board recommended retaining the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) interest rate at 8.25% for FY 2025–26, despite an internal suggestion of 8.10%, covering a projected shortfall of ₹944 crore from past surpluses.
- It approved three new schemes – Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme 2026, Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) 2026, and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme 2026 – aligned with the Code on Social Security, 2020, replacing legacy schemes.
- A pilot project was launched for auto-claim settlement of inoperative accounts with balances ≤ ₹1,000, covering 1.33 lakh accounts worth ₹5.68 crore.
- The Board also cleared a one-time Amnesty Scheme for exempted establishments to regularize compliance within six months.
- Additionally, a unified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for EPF exemptions and risk-based digital audits were introduced to enhance transparency and efficiency.
Question:
Q.1 During the 239th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of EPF, what interest rate was recommended for Employees’ Provident Fund deposits for FY 2025–26?a) 8.00%
b) 8.10%
c) 8.25%
d) 8.50%
Answer: c) At the 239th CBT meeting, the Board recommended retaining the EPF interest rate at 8.25% for FY 2025–26, despite an internal proposal suggesting 8.10%.
