The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has approved a sweeping reform package aimed at simplifying withdrawals, modernising operations, and strengthening India’s retirement savings framework. The decisions, finalised at the 238th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) and detailed in a PIB release, are among the most significant changes in years — promising faster processing, automation, and fewer rejections. Advertisement

For subscribers, the changes bring a mix of ease and restraint — streamlined access for common needs like education and housing, but also a mandatory 12-month savings lock-in for a portion of the corpus.

The move has, however, sparked criticism. Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale termed the new rules “shocking and ridiculous,” accusing the governme

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