Employers with long-pending PF-related cases have a limited-time opportunity to settle them at a much lower cost.
The Ministry of Labour & Employment has announced that the VISHWAS, 2026 Scheme will remain open until December 28, 2026.
The scheme allows eligible employers to settle certain pending disputes by paying a significantly reduced penalty.
Penalty Can Drop Sharply Under VISHWAS 2026
Normally, the penalty for delayed PF deposits can go up to 37% per year.
Under the VISHWAS 2026 Scheme, the penalty is much lower and depends on how long the payment was delayed:
Delay up to 2 months: 0.25% per month
Delay between 2 and 4 months: 0.50% per month
Delay of more than 4 months: 1% per month
This can reduce the financial burden for employers looking to close eligible long-pending cases.
How Can Employers Apply?
The entire application process is available online through the EPFO Employer Portal.
Before applying, employers must first clear all outstanding interest on delayed PF contributions.
After that, they can log in to the EPFO Employer Portal, open the VISHWAS, 2026 module, select the relevant category and upload the required documents.
The application can then be completed through digital authentication.
The system will automatically calculate the revised penalty amount.
15 Days to Make the Payment
Once the revised penalty is calculated, employers will get 15 days to make the payment.
If required, an additional 15-day extension will be provided automatically.
After the payment is confirmed, EPFO will issue a digitally signed Settlement Certificate.
Following this, the eligible proceedings pending before a court or tribunal will be closed.
Deadline Is December 28, 2026
Employers who want to take advantage of the scheme should not wait until the last moment.
The VISHWAS 2026 Scheme will close on December 28, 2026.
For assistance, dedicated VISHWAS Cells and Helpdesks have been set up at 153 EPFO Regional Offices across the country.
Employers can also contact the toll-free helpline at 1800-180-1820 for further help.
The scheme could provide significant relief to eligible employers dealing with old PF-related disputes, especially those facing high penalties under the normal rules.
