EPFO Wage Ceiling Raised to ₹25,000: Mandatory Coverage for 51 Lakh More Employees

Cabinet Raises EPFO Wage Ceiling to ₹25,000; 51 Lakh More Workers Covered from Sept 17

Union Cabinet has approved raising the wage ceiling for mandatory EPFO coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, effective September 17. This will bring 51 lakh additional workers under EPFO, EPS, and EDLI schemes, with annual government outgo increasing by ~₹1,089 crore.

EPFO Wage Ceiling Hiked to ₹25,000 After 12 Years: 8 Cr Subscribers Impacted

The Ministry of Labour has raised the EPFO wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 after 12 years, expanding mandatory social security coverage to over 51 lakh additional workers. While this boosts retirement savings and formalisation, it may reduce take-home pay for employees earning between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 and increase costs for employers, especially MSMEs.

Cabinet Raises EPFO Wage Ceiling to ₹25,000, 51 Lakh More Workers Covered; EPS Minimum Pension Unresolved

The Union Cabinet has raised the wage ceiling for mandatory EPFO coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 after a 12-year gap, bringing an additional 51 lakh workers under social security. However, the minimum pension of ₹1,000 per month remains unchanged since 2014, with 45% of 82 lakh pensioners receiving that amount or less, sparking demands for urgent revision.

ESIC Report Warns Against Privatisation, Recommends ₹33,000 Wage Ceiling, Panchdeep 2.0 Rollout

The 'ESI Ki Baat' report by Safe In India warns against privatisation of ESIC and recommends raising the wage ceiling to ₹33,000 from ₹21,000 to expand coverage. It also highlights the rollout of Panchdeep 2.0 digital platform and stresses that private involvement must be strictly regulated.

Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: Fishing Aid Raised to ₹7,000, Vetri Magalir Goat Scheme & Livestock Insurance Announced

Tamil Nadu's revised budget for 2026-27 increases lean-period fishing assistance from ₹6,000 to ₹7,000 per family, benefiting 1.93 lakh traditional fishermen. It also launches the 'Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme' for destitute women and transgender persons, and a new livestock insurance scheme 'Kaalnadaigal Kaappom'.

MCA Data Reveals Only 9 Women CEOs, 25 MDs in India's Top 500 Listed Companies

Ministry of Corporate Affairs data tabled in Lok Sabha reveals severe underrepresentation of women in top corporate leadership: only 9 CEOs and 25 MDs among India's 500 largest listed companies. This directly impacts the UPSC/state PSC themes of women empowerment, corporate governance, and the effectiveness of legal mandates under the Companies Act, 2013.

NPPA Raises Ceiling Prices of Cisplatin, Carboplatin by 50% Amid Shortage

India is in the grip of a critical nationwide shortage of cisplatin and carboplatin, two essential chemotherapy drugs, caused by a doubling in platinum prices and West Asia shipping disruptions. The NPPA has temporarily raised price caps by 50% to push manufacturers to restart production, making this a key case study on drug pricing regulation, public health preparedness, and supply-chain vulnerability for exams.

16th FC Report: UCT Schemes Exceed 50% of Education Budget in 3 States, Fiscal Space Shrinks

The 16th Finance Commission and Economic Survey have raised concerns over the rising fiscal burden of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) schemes for women. In states like Jharkhand, UCT spending exceeds 10% of total state expenditure and over 50% of education spending, threatening other public services. With 44% of state expenditure locked in interest, pensions, and salaries, fiscal space is shrinking.