# EPFO raises wage ceiling to Rs 25,000 from 17 September 2026-09-19T16:16:46+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The central government has raised the wage ceiling for mandatory EPFO coverage from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 a month, effective 17 September. Livemint reports the revision, the first in 12 years, will bring around 5.1 million employees earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 under mandatory provident fund and pension coverage. The change affects contributions, take-home pay, and pension eligibility. For employees earning up to Rs 25,000, the maximum monthly PF contribution rises from Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,000, reducing take-home pay by up to Rs 1,200 a month. The employer's pension contribution increases from Rs 1,250 to about Rs 2,083. Employees already contributing on full actual wages see no change in total deduction, but more goes to the pension fund. Freshers earning above Rs 25,000 can remain outside EPFO coverage. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Livemint's coverage is strictly neutral-report, explaining the wage ceiling hike's mechanics, eligibility, and impact on contributions and take-home pay without any editorial slant. The first source frames the change as an explanatory guide to pension scheme certificates, while the second provides a detailed breakdown of how the new ceiling affects different employee categories. Both avoid government criticism or praise. The absence of opposing views means the analysis must focus on the financial implications: the Rs 14,400 annual reduction in take-home pay for some employees is a concrete trade-off. The next step is to see how employers adjust their policies by the 17 September effective date. ## Coverage - livemint.com - livemint.com Tags: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Employees’ Pension Scheme, EPFO, Form 10C Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/epfo-scheme-certificate-eligibility-form-10c-and-pension-rules-explained/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/epfo-scheme-certificate-eligibility-form-10c-and-pension-rules-explained/#story-in-brief