The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) added a record 20.06 lakh members in May 2025, marking the highest-ever increase in a single month. The data, shared by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, shows a strong rise in formal job opportunities in India.
Out of these, about 9.42 lakh were newly enrolled subscribers. Notably, 2.62 lakh of them were women, showing increased female participation in the workforce.
Young Workforce Leads the Growth
A large share of the new members—about 5.60 lakh—were aged between 18 and 25 years, reflecting a growing number of young people entering formal employment. This age group often represents first-time jobholders, indicating improved job creation and better access to employee benefits.
Minister Mandaviya posted on social media that this jump in numbers shows the success of the government’s youth-focused and pro-worker policies. He added that India's job environment is improving under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, with growing ease of doing business and a push for economic empowerment.
April 2025 Figures Show Consistent Growth
In the month of April 2025, EPFO added 19.14 lakh members, including 8.49 lakh new subscribers. The steady increase over two months shows a positive trend in employment and formal sector coverage.
Auto-Settlement of Claims Enhanced
To improve member services, EPFO has raised the auto-settlement limit for advance claims from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. This change will help members receive funds faster during emergencies or important life events like illness, education, marriage, or buying a home.
In the current financial year (2024–25), EPFO settled 2.34 crore advance claims automatically, which is 161% more than the 89.52 lakh claims settled in 2023–24. Now, 59% of claims are processed automatically, compared to 31% last year—making the process faster and more efficient for members.
