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VISHWAS 2026: Settle Old PF Damages Cases by 28 Dec 2026

By Kusum · Reviewed by Harish, Labour Consultant, Delhi on · Updated

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Independent guide by India Customer Care. We are not EPFO. Use only the official EPFO portals and the UMANG app for your account, and never share your password or OTP with anyone.

On this page
  1. Who can apply
  2. Reduced damages
  3. How to apply
  4. Help
  5. Sources
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When the late payment was

Open until 28 Dec 2026 VISHWAS 2026 is a one-time scheme to settle damages for PF payments delayed before 14 June 2024 at 0.25% to 1% a month, instead of up to 25% a year. Pay the full interest first, then apply in the Vishwas module of the employer portal with DSC or e-sign. EPFO has said the deadline will not be extended.

Who can apply

Default before 14 June 2024

You can apply if your case is in any of these four stages:

  1. Damages order under challenge before a court or tribunal.
  2. Final damages order passed, with recovery pending or only partly made (including recovery certificate cases).
  3. Notice issued, but no final order yet.
  4. Default in EPFO's records, but no notice issued yet.

Default on or after 14 June 2024

VISHWAS does not apply. Damages for these defaults are already at 1% a month under the current rules. See late payment.

Not eligible: cases where damages are already fully recovered; cases involving fraud, misappropriation or deliberate falsification; and cases where the statutory interest has not been paid in full.

Reduced damages

DelayVISHWAS rateNormal old rate
Up to 2 months0.25% a month5% a year
2 to under 4 months0.50% a month10% a year
4 months or more1% a month15% to 25% a year

Compare your own figures with the estimator.

How to apply

  1. Pay all interest (Section 7Q / 127) first
  2. Employer portal: Vishwas module, choose the category
  3. Upload documents; sign with DSC or e-sign
  4. Revised damages calculated and sent to you
  5. Pay within 15 days (one automatic 15-day extension)
  6. Digitally signed settlement certificate
EmployerEPFO
  1. Pay the entire interest due under Section 7Q (or Section 127 of the Code). This is a precondition.
  2. Log in to the EPFO employer portal and open the Vishwas 2026 module.
  3. Select the category of your case, upload the documents asked for, and submit with the authorised signatory's DSC or e-sign. An application ID is generated.
  4. The regional office sends the revised damages electronically. Pay within 15 days; an extra 15 days is allowed automatically if needed.
  5. After payment you get a digitally signed certificate, which you can file in court or the tribunal to withdraw or close the case.

You must undertake that no further appeal will be pursued on the settled damages. If you don't use the scheme by 28 Dec 2026, the original proceedings continue at the normal rates, including recovery.

Help

All EPFO regional offices have VISHWAS cells and help desks. EPFO's helpline for the scheme is 1800-180-1820. Your regional office's contact details are on EPFO's office finder.

Sources