Shri Kumar Rohit, Director, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS), inaugurated the National Law University (NLU) phase of the six-month Induction Training Programme for the Direct Recruit Enforcement Officers/Accounts Officers (EO-AO) of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), 2025 Batch, at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) today.

The programme marks a significant milestone in the capacity-building journey of the newly recruited officer trainees, who will serve as frontline custodians of India’s social security framework. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director, GNLU; Shri Sudeepta Ghosh, Additional Provident Fund Commissioner, Gujarat Zone; and Dr. Nitin Malik, Registrar, GNLU.

A Historic Training Phase Amid Landmark Legal Reform

Addressing the officer trainees, Shri Kumar Rohit stated that their entry into public service coincides with a transformative phase in India's legal and governance landscape. He highlighted that the notification of the four Labour Codes—consolidating 29 central labour laws—and the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam represent a paradigm shift in India’s labour and justice systems.

“You are the first batch to be trained under this reformed legal architecture,” he noted, urging them to evolve from a traditional role of “policing and inspection” towards a model based on “facilitation, cooperation, and trust.”

Emphasising the Government of India’s vision, he added:

“You are no longer mere compliance inspectors; you are strategic partners in improving the nation’s ease of doing business. Your role is not simply to ask ‘whether establishments comply’, but to explore ‘how we can achieve compliance together.”

Strengthening Professional Competence and Ethical Foundations

Shri Rohit encouraged the officer trainees to internalise both the letter and the spirit of law, underscoring the values of fairness, empathy, integrity, and public service. Their decisions in the field, he remarked, would have a direct impact on the livelihoods of millions of workers, employers, and beneficiaries under the EPFO.

Discussion on Joint Diploma Programme with GNLU

During the visit, Shri Rohit also held discussions with Prof. (Dr.) Shanthakumar and senior faculty members regarding the launch of a three-month Joint Diploma Programme in Labour Law and Social Security. The proposed programme is intended for HR professionals, compliance officers, and legal practitioners seeking contemporary knowledge of labour law reforms and operational frameworks.

The proposed course is expected to blend:

• Academic strengths of GNLU
• Training infrastructure of PDUNASS
• Field experience of EPFO officers

Once launched, the programme is expected to become a leading national certification in labour law and social protection.

Commitment to National Capacity Building

The collaboration between PDUNASS and GNLU reflects a shared commitment to strengthening India’s social security architecture, enhancing institutional capability, and enabling a legally informed compliance ecosystem.

About PDUNASS:

The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS) is the apex training institute of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. Established in 1990, PDUNASS is dedicated to advancing training, research, and consultancy in the field of social security, with the goal of becoming an international centre of excellence.

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Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander

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