The VISHWAS 2026 scheme is a one-time EPFO settlement window. It lets employers close old provident fund damages disputes at far lower rates. Indian companies, startups and foreign-owned entities with Indian operations can all benefit if they act in time. At Khanna & Associates, a law firm in Jaipur serving clients across Rajasthan and abroad, we have prepared this guide so you can understand eligibility, savings and the exact filing process. Official updates are published on the EPFO website. The window is limited, so read on and plan early. Visit our main website for more.
What Is the VISHWAS 2026 Scheme? Complete Definition and Overview
VISHWAS, 2026 is a dispute resolution initiative launched by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It was notified on 29 June 2026 and runs for six months. EPFO has indicated the window will not be extended.
In simple global terms: if an employer paid provident fund (PF) contributions late in India, the regulator could charge a penalty called “damages”. Many of these cases have been stuck in notices, appeals or recovery for years. This scheme recalculates those damages at much lower rates, so you can close the matter and move on.
Who can use it? Employers whose cases fall into one of four groups:
- Damages orders under challenge before a court or tribunal
- Final orders where recovery is pending or only partly made, including recovery certificate (RRC) cases
- Notices issued but no final order yet
- Cases where no notice has been issued yet
It applies to defaults before 14 June 2024. For foreign companies with Indian subsidiaries, this is a rare chance to clean up legacy corporate compliance exposure.
Legal Framework and Regulations in India
The scheme sits within the new EPF Scheme, 2026. It covers damages under Section 14B of the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. The authority is EPFO, working through regional offices and dedicated VISHWAS cells.
Reduced rates under VISHWAS 2026 (per month on arrears):
- Default up to 2 months: 0.25%
- Default of 2 to under 4 months: 0.50%
- Default above 4 months: 1.00%
Earlier, damages were charged at annual rates between 5% and 25%. Note that interest under Section 7Q is not waived. It must be paid before you apply.
Our team supports employers through dispute resolution, business law, labour and service law, employment matters, corporate documentation and contract drafting. We also handle startup and venture capital compliance, foreign direct investments, Rajasthan High Court appearances, NRI legal services, setting up business in India, Supreme Court cases and commercial and corporate transactions.
Key Legal Insights, Compliance Rules and Benefits
Step-by-Step Process to Apply
- Audit your records. List every PF delay and notice, with dates and amounts.
- Confirm eligibility. Check the default period is before 14 June 2024 and identify your case category.
- Pay outstanding interest under Section 7Q first.
- Log in to the EPFO Employer Portal and open the VISHWAS application.
- Submit online using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or e-Sign.
- Review EPFO’s revised calculation. Adjustments for amounts already paid and statutory pre-deposits are made.
- Pay the revised damages. Pending appeals then abate, and the matter closes.
Illustrative Example
Take arrears of ₹10,00,000 with an eight-month delay. Under the old 25% annual rate, damages could be around ₹1,66,000. Under VISHWAS at 1% per month, the indicative figure is about ₹80,000. The exact amount depends on EPFO’s computation, so always verify.
Timelines and Cross-Border Use
The window is understood to close around 28 December 2026. Multinationals with Indian payroll entities should reconcile records now, since international transaction structures often hide old payroll defaults.
Common Mistakes and Legal Challenges
- Missing the interest condition. Applications fail if Section 7Q interest is unpaid.
- Wrong case category. This leads to incorrect calculations.
- Ignoring pending recovery certificates. Coercive recovery can continue.
- Weak documentation. Challan and payment proof gaps delay approval.
- Foreign head-office delays. Approvals and DSC arrangements slip across time zones.
How we help: Khanna & Associates, widely regarded as the best law firm in Jaipur, reconciles ledgers, classifies your case, coordinates the DSC process and represents you before EPFO authorities. Our best lawyers in Jaipur also handle any tribunal or High Court follow-up.
Meet Our Senior Advocates
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Expert Tips from Leading Legal Advisors
- Start with a compliance audit. Know your exact exposure before filing.
- Settle interest early. It is the gateway condition.
- Do not wait for December. Portal congestion is likely near the deadline.
- Keep proof of every pre-deposit. It reduces your payable amount.
- Fix the root cause. Automate PF remittance to prevent fresh defaults.
- Review group-wide payroll entities. Foreign investors should check every Indian subsidiary.
Conclusion and CTA
The VISHWAS 2026 scheme is a time-bound chance to cut EPF damages and end long disputes. Check eligibility, pay interest, apply online and verify the final calculation. As a top law firm in India for employer compliance, we guide you from audit to closure.
Book your consultation today.
Khanna & Associates
47 SMS Colony, Shipra Path, Mansarovar 302020, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
📞 +91-9461620007 | 📧 info@khannaandassociates.com
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FAQs
1. What is the VISHWAS 2026 scheme for EPF damages?
It is an EPFO one-time settlement scheme notified on 29 June 2026. It recalculates Section 14B damages for defaults before 14 June 2024 at reduced monthly rates, helping employers close pending disputes, recovery cases and notices through a fully online process.
2. What are the reduced EPF damages rates under VISHWAS 2026?
Damages are recalculated at 0.25% per month for defaults up to two months, 0.50% per month for two to four months, and 1.00% per month for defaults above four months. These replace the older annual rates of 5% to 25%.
3. How do I apply for the EPFO VISHWAS scheme?
Pay outstanding Section 7Q interest first. Then log in to the EPFO Employer Portal, select the VISHWAS application, and submit it using a Digital Signature Certificate or e-Sign. EPFO verifies details and communicates the revised damages online.
4. Does VISHWAS 2026 waive interest on late PF payments?
No. The scheme gives relief only on damages or penalty. Employers must pay all outstanding statutory interest before applying. Paying interest first is a mandatory condition, so reconcile your ledger before filing.
5. When does the VISHWAS 2026 scheme end?
It runs six months from notification and is understood to close around 28 December 2026. EPFO has indicated no extension. Employers should consult an EPF compliance lawyer early to avoid last-minute portal and documentation issues.