EPFO Central Board of Trustees Meeting on October 10–11 in Bengaluru: Digital Reforms, Pension Hike & More

After a gap of over seven months, the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to convene on October 10 and 11 in Bengaluru. This high-level meeting is expected to focus on several critical issues, including the long-awaited EPFO 3.0 digital upgrade, higher pension matters following a Supreme Court judgment and possible revisions to the minimum pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995.

EPFO Central Board of Trustees Meeting On October 10 and 11 in Bengaluru; What's The Agenda?

Though the formal agenda has yet to be released, sources familiar with the development suggest that key updates and decisions on the organisation's digital transformation and pension reforms will dominate the discussions.

EPFO 3.0: Major Digital EPF Reforms Soon

A significant part of the meeting is likely to be devoted to EPFO 3.0, the organisation's ambitious digital revamp aimed at modernising its internal systems and improving user experience. The new platform is expected to offer faster, seamless services and an enhanced member portal that simplifies transactions and claim processes for millions of EPFO subscribers.

Major Indian IT companies such as Infosys, Wipro, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have reportedly been shortlisted to manage and implement this large-scale technological upgrade. However, the project has encountered delays due to ongoing technical testing and system integration challenges, pushing its completion beyond the original timeline earlier this year.

Higher Pension Issue Under Supreme Court's Directive

The CBT is also expected to review the status of higher pension applications, in line with the Supreme Court's order dated November 22, 2022. The ruling permitted eligible employees to opt for a higher pension based on actual salary instead of the statutory wage ceiling. A status update on this matter is anticipated during the two-day deliberation, given the widespread interest among pensioners and trade unions.

Possible Revision of Minimum Monthly Pension

Another significant issue that may come up during the meeting is the revision of the minimum monthly pension, currently set at Rs 1,000 under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995. Labour unions and pensioners' associations have been long demanding an upward revision, citing inflation and rising cost of living. Discussions could pave the way for a policy update or committee formation to examine the matter further.

Employment Linked Incentive Scheme May Also Be Reviewed

In addition to pension-related matters and EPFO 3.0, the CBT may also receive an update on the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme, a government-backed initiative designed to promote formal employment through EPFO-linked incentives. The scheme is part of the broader effort to boost job creation and strengthen social security coverage in the country.

High-Level Representation at CBT

The CBT is EPFO's apex decision-making body, chaired by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and includes representatives from central and state governments, trade unions, employers' associations and labour ministry officials.

The last CBT meeting was held in February 2025, where the board approved interest rates on provident fund deposits for the financial year.