EPFO May Soon Launch Universal PF Scheme for Gig Workers, Self-Employed

New Delhi, 17th July 2026: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is working on a framework to bring millions of gig workers, self-employed individuals, and workers in the unorganised sector under a universal provident fund (PF) scheme, marking one of the biggest proposed expansions of India’s social security net.

According to reports, the proposed scheme will allow workers who are currently outside the EPFO’s ambit to voluntarily contribute a portion of their earnings towards a provident fund, helping them build retirement savings and access long-term financial security. The move is expected to benefit workers employed through app-based platforms, freelancers, daily wage earners, and self-employed professionals who are not covered under the existing EPF system.

At present, the EPF scheme primarily covers employees working in the organised sector through employer-employee contributions. Under the proposed universal PF framework, individuals without a formal employer would be able to contribute directly to their provident fund accounts. The government is also exploring ways to include workers employed in exempted establishments that currently operate outside the EPFO system.

The initiative aligns with the government’s broader push to expand social security coverage as the gig economy continues to grow rapidly across India. Previous policy discussions have also explored extending provident fund, pension, and insurance benefits to platform workers under the country’s labour reforms.

While the framework is still being finalised, the proposal is expected to create a voluntary savings mechanism for workers who currently lack retirement benefits, potentially bringing millions of people into the formal social security system for the first time. Details regarding contribution rates, enrolment procedures, and implementation timelines are yet to be announced.