If you started your first private-sector job after 1 August 2025 and your salary has EPF deductions, the Government of India will pay you an amount equal to one month’s EPF wage — up to ₹15,000 — directly into your bank account. This benefit comes from the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), formerly known as the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme. This guide breaks down eligibility, instalment timing, the application process, and how to check your status, based on official scheme details.
PM-VBRY at a Glance
| Point | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), formerly Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) |
| Effective Date | 1 August 2025 |
| Cabinet Approval | 1 July 2025 |
| Total Outlay | ₹99,446 crore |
| Target | 3.5+ crore jobs over 2 years, including ~1.92 crore first-time workers |
| Eligible Jobs | Created between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2027 |
| Employee Benefit (Part A) | One month’s EPF wage, up to ₹15,000, in two instalments |
| Employer Benefit (Part B) | ₹1,000–₹3,000 per additional employee per month, for 2 years (4 years in manufacturing) |
| Salary Ceiling | Gross monthly wage up to ₹1 lakh |
| Implementing Agency | Ministry of Labour & Employment, through EPFO |
| Payment Mode | DBT via Aadhaar Bridge Payment System (ABPS) to Aadhaar-seeded bank account |
| Official Portal | pmvbry.epfindia.gov.in |
What Is the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana?
This is a central government employment incentive scheme, first announced in the 2024-25 Budget under the “Prime Minister’s Package for Employment and Skilling,” as the Employment Linked Incentive scheme. The Prime Minister referenced it in his Independence Day speech on 15 August 2025, and it took effect retroactively from 1 August 2025 under its current name.
What makes this scheme distinctive is that it works on both sides of the employment equation. On one side, a young person taking up their first formal job receives a direct cash incentive. On the other, the company hiring them also receives a monthly payout for expanding its workforce. The underlying goal is to grow formal, EPFO-covered employment and widen the reach of social security, with a particular emphasis on the manufacturing sector.
The Two Parts of the Scheme: Part A and Part B
| Comparison | Part A (Employee) | Part B (Employer) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | First-time EPFO-registered employees | EPFO-registered companies adding employees |
| Amount | One month’s EPF wage, up to ₹15,000 | Up to ₹3,000 per additional employee per month |
| Duration | Two instalments (at 6 and 12 months of service) | 2 years (4 years in manufacturing) |
| Minimum Condition | 6 months continuous employment; 12 months plus a financial literacy course for the second instalment | New employee retained for at least 6 months |
| Salary Ceiling | Up to ₹1 lakh/month | Up to ₹1 lakh/month |
Part A: How First-Time Employees Get Up to ₹15,000
The amount an employee receives equals one month’s EPF wage, capped at ₹15,000. This means anyone with an EPF wage of ₹15,000 or more receives the full ₹15,000, while those earning less receive a proportionally smaller amount.
| Instalment | When Paid | Amount | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Instalment | After 6 months of continuous service | Up to ₹7,500 | Employer must file ECR regularly |
| Second Instalment | After 12 months of service | Remaining balance (up to ₹7,500) | Completion of a financial literacy programme |
Illustrative example: If your EPF wage is ₹18,000, your eligible amount is capped at ₹15,000 — roughly ₹7,500 in the first instalment and ₹7,500 in the second. If your EPF wage is ₹12,000, the total works out to ₹12,000, split as ₹6,000 and ₹6,000. The exact figure is determined by EPFO records and the official SOP.
Importantly, the second instalment is not released for direct spending. As per scheme design, it is deposited into a designated savings instrument to encourage a savings habit among first-time workers. Full conditions for this are available on the EPFO portal and official guidelines.
Part B: How Much Incentive Do Employers Get?
Companies that increase their headcount beyond their baseline level (as of 31 July 2025) receive a monthly incentive for each additional employee, provided that employee has worked continuously for at least 6 months.
| Employee’s EPF Wage | Monthly Incentive to Employer |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹10,000 | ₹1,000 |
| ₹10,001 to ₹20,000 | ₹2,000 |
| ₹20,001 to ₹1,00,000 | ₹3,000 |
- Companies with fewer than 50 employees must add at least 2 new hires; those with 50 or more must add at least 5.
- The incentive runs for 2 years across all sectors, extended to the third and fourth year for manufacturing.
- The employer must be registered under the EPF & MP Act, 1952, and must file ECR on time.
- Re-joining employees (those who previously left and returned) can also qualify the employer for benefits, provided their UAN is Aadhaar-verified.
PM-VBRY Eligibility: Who Can Benefit?
- You must be an Indian citizen employed at an EPFO-covered establishment.
- This must be your first formal job — meaning the first time EPFO contributions have been made under your name (wage month August 2025 or later).
- The job must have started between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2027.
- Your gross monthly wage at the time of joining must be ₹1 lakh or less.
- Your UAN must be verified through Aadhaar Face Authentication (FAT) on the UMANG app.
- Your bank account must be Aadhaar-seeded so that payment can be processed through ABPS.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card and the mobile number linked to it
- UAN (Universal Account Number), activated through Face Authentication
- Aadhaar-seeded bank account (passbook or net banking details)
- Employer-provided appointment details and a record of regular PF contributions
How to Apply for PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana
The first thing to understand is that there is no separate application form for employees. The benefit is determined automatically based on EPFO records and the employer’s ECR filing. Your job is simply to ensure your UAN and bank account are correctly set up.
Step-by-Step Process for Employees
- Install the UMANG app and the AadhaarFaceRD app on your phone.
- Log into UMANG, navigate to EPFO services, and select “UAN Allotment and Activation” (or “Face Authentication” if your UAN is already active).
- Enter your Aadhaar number, verify the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, and give consent.
- Scan your face in good lighting and blink once when prompted. The circle on screen turns from red to green once the scan is complete.
- Once you see the “Aadhaar face authentication complete” message, your UAN is verified.
- Get your bank account Aadhaar-seeded through your bank’s app, net banking, or a branch visit.
- Share this FAT-verified UAN with your HR or employer and confirm that PF is being deposited every month.
Process for Employers
- Visit the PM-VBRY portal (pmvbry.epfindia.gov.in or pmvbry.labour.gov.in).
- Log in using EPFO employer credentials and complete a one-time registration.
- File ECR regularly and correctly link the UANs of new employees.
- Track employee eligibility status and incentive details on the employer dashboard.
Official Links: PM-VBRY Portal (EPFO) | PM-VBRY Portal (Ministry of Labour) | EPFO Member Portal
How to Check Your PM-VBRY Status
Employees can check their UAN status, PF contribution history, and incentive details through the EPFO Member Portal or the UMANG app. Once payment is processed, it will reflect in your Aadhaar-seeded bank account, so it’s worth checking your passbook or bank app periodically. Employers can view status updates on their PM-VBRY portal dashboard.
Common Reasons Payment Doesn’t Arrive — and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| EPFO sends an FAT reminder | UAN not verified through Face Authentication | Complete FAT immediately on the UMANG app |
| No instalment even after 6 months | Employer hasn’t filed ECR on time | Ask HR about ECR filing status and check contributions on the EPFO portal |
| Payment stuck | Bank account not Aadhaar-seeded | Get Aadhaar seeding done through your bank |
| Second instalment delayed | Financial literacy programme not completed | Complete the programme as soon as possible |
| Eligibility not showing | Not your first EPFO job, or joining date outside the window | Recheck the eligibility conditions carefully |
PM-VBRY Progress So Far (Up to June 2026)
- According to the government, more than 70 lakh first-time workers have joined the formal workforce since August 2025, with women making up roughly 30% of them.
- On 19 June 2026, the Prime Minister disbursed incentives worth approximately ₹2,400 crore at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, supporting around 15 lakh employment opportunities.
- In March 2026, ₹461 crore worth of benefits were disbursed.
Key Facts for Competitive Exams (UPSC/SSC/Banking)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Previous name of the scheme | Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme |
| Where it was announced | Budget 2024-25, PM’s Package for Employment and Skilling |
| Cabinet approval date | 1 July 2025 |
| Effective date | 1 August 2025 |
| Total outlay | ₹99,446 crore |
| Nodal ministry/agency | Ministry of Labour & Employment / EPFO |
| Part A maximum amount | ₹15,000 (in two instalments) |
| Part B maximum amount | ₹3,000 per employee per month |
| Payment system | DBT via Aadhaar Bridge Payment System (ABPS) |
| Special focus sector | Manufacturing |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do you get under PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana? First-time employees receive an amount equal to one month’s EPF wage, up to ₹15,000. Employers receive ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 per month for each additional employee hired.
Do I need to fill a separate application form? No separate application exists for employees. The benefit is determined through EPFO records and the employer’s ECR filing. Employees only need to complete UAN Face Authentication on UMANG and get their bank account Aadhaar-seeded. Employers complete a one-time registration on the portal.
In how many instalments and when is the money paid? In two instalments — the first after 6 months of continuous service, and the second after 12 months of service plus completion of a financial literacy programme. The second instalment is deposited into a savings instrument rather than paid as direct cash.
What is the last date to benefit from this scheme? The benefit applies to jobs that started between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2027. Eligible employees joining up to 31 July 2027 are covered.
Are employees earning more than ₹1 lakh eligible? No. Employees with a gross monthly wage above ₹1 lakh fall outside the scope of this scheme.
Why is UAN Face Authentication (FAT) necessary? Part A benefits for first-time employees are valid only if their UAN has been verified through Face Authentication on the UMANG app. Without this, the benefit isn’t released even if the employee is otherwise eligible.
Which account does the money get credited to? It is credited to the employee’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account via DBT, through the Aadhaar Bridge Payment System. Correct Aadhaar seeding is essential for this to work.
How many new hires must an employer make to qualify? Above the baseline level as of 31 July 2025, companies with fewer than 50 employees must add at least 2 new hires, and those with 50 or more must add at least 5.
Conclusion
If your first EPFO-covered job started after August 2025, the two most important things to take care of are UAN Face Authentication on the UMANG app and Aadhaar seeding of your bank account. The rest of the process depends on your employer filing ECR correctly, so make it a habit to check that your PF is being deposited every month. Scheme rules and dates may be revised over time, so always verify the latest details on the official portal before making any financial decisions based on this information.