The first installment of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is proposed to be released by the end of March 2026. To facilitate this, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued mandatory guidelines for all members and establishments.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)  has issued a critical set of directives for all registered members and establishments as the government prepares to roll out the first installment of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY). Proposed for disbursement by the end of March 2026, the scheme aims to provide a direct financial boost to first-time employees and their employers, but the release of funds is strictly contingent on digital compliance.

In a move to curb fraud and ensure secure identity verification, the EPFO has made Face Authentication Technology (FAT) mandatory for all new joiners and first-time members. Under this new rule, every eligible employee must authenticate their Universal Account Number (UAN). The department has clarified that no benefits will be processed for any member who has not completed this digital verification. For those experiencing technical glitches, the EPFO has advised immediate visits to the nearest Regional Office for manual assistance.

Parallel to identity verification, the government has emphasized the necessity of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) compliance. Since the incentive amount is credited directly into the worker's bank account, having a DBT-enabled account is no longer optional. Members whose accounts are not currently linked for DBT are urged to contact their respective bank branches immediately to activate the facility, as failure to do so will result in a failed payment during the March disbursement window.

Establishments are required to be diligent with their Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) filings. The EPFO stated that any establishment failing to file regular ECRs or delaying the deposit of contributions could lead to their employees being disqualified from the scheme. Timely compliance is being treated as the final gatekeeper for the release of these long-awaited incentives.

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