Nashamukt Gram Panchayat Puraskar Yojana 2026

This part of the scheme offers a one-time incentive of up to ₹15,000 to help new employees Read More... settle in and complete financial literacy training, boosting their productivity. Read less

Details

The Indian government, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), has launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana. This initiative aims to boost employment and support workers, especially those just starting their careers.

The scheme has two main parts, with Part A focusing specifically on helping first-time employees get a strong start in their professional lives.

What Is This Scheme?

Part A of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is designed to encourage more people to join the formal workforce. It provides financial support and essential financial literacy training to employees who are stepping into their first jobs. The goal is to make them more productive and better equipped for their careers, while also incentivizing employers who create new jobs.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This part of the scheme is for individuals who are joining the workforce for the very first time and are becoming contributing members of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) or an Exempted Trust for the first time. It's for those who have never contributed to EPF before and are earning a monthly salary up to ₹1,00,000.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The scheme is crucial for several reasons. It helps new employees overcome the initial challenges of a new job by offsetting costs associated with their learning phase. By providing financial literacy, it equips them with vital skills for managing their money, contributing to their long-term financial well-being. Ultimately, it aims to build a more dynamic, formal, and inclusive labour market for India's youth.

Objective

This part of the scheme offers a one-time incentive of up to ₹15,000 to help new employees settle in and complete financial literacy training, boosting their productivity.

Benefits

Cash Award:₹1,00,000/- per district per Panchayat.

Certificate of Appreciation:A certificate detailing the Gram Panchayat's outstanding work.

Travel Expenses:Coverage of coming and going travel expenses for the related Sarpanch (Head of the Gram Panchayat).

Disbursement Conditions

Mode and Time:The नगद पुरस्कार (Cash Award) must be provided to the related Sarpanch (Head of the Gram Panchayat) for the Gram Panchayat within one month of being selected for the award.

Mode:The award amount must be given via Cheque or Bank Draft or Real Time Gross Settlement (R.T.G.S.).

Deposit:The cash award must be deposited into the Gram Panchayat's bank account.

Certificate Presentation:The certificate of appreciation must be presented at a ceremony organized on Republic Day.

Travel Reimbursement:Travel expenses must be paid by the Collector to the related Sarpanch (Head of the Gram Panchayat) upon attending the Republic Day ceremony at the District Headquarters.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the incentives under Part A, employees must meet the following conditions:

Be a First-Time EPFO-Registered Employee:
- Your date of joining an establishment must be between 01.08.2025 and 31.07.2027 (inclusive).
- You should not have been a contributing member of the Employees Provident Fund (either with EPFO or an Exempted Trust) before 01.08.2025.
- Your contribution must be received in EPFO or an exempted trust for the first time for the wage month of August 2025 or any month thereafter.
Monthly Salary Limit: Your monthly salary, including all allowances, must not exceed ₹1,00,000/-.
Minimum Employment Duration: You must complete at least 6 months of continuous employment with the same establishment to receive the first installment.
Financial Literacy Course: You must successfully complete a financial literacy course as specified by EPFO.

Cessation of Incentives:

If a First Timer voluntarily leaves their employment or employment ceases for any other reason.
In case of the beneficiary's death.
If the establishment closes down or winds up.
If any misrepresentation or fraud is detected.

How To Apply

There is no direct registration process for employees to avail benefits under Part A. The incentive is automatically provided based on the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) filed by their establishment with the EPFO.

Key Steps:

Ensure your UAN (Universal Account Number) is linked with your Aadhaar and is authenticated using Face Authentication Technology via the UMANG App.
Join an eligible establishment between the scheme's effective dates.
Complete your financial literacy course as prescribed by EPFO.
Maintain continuous employment for the required duration (6 months for the first installment, 12 months for the second).
Your employer will file the ECR with EPFO, which triggers the incentive process.

For more details, you can refer to the official EPFO portal.

Documents Required

Aadhaar Card
PAN Card
Bank account details linked with Aadhaar (Aadhaar seeded bank account)
Any other documents as may be required by the department.

FAQ’s

Who is considered a 'First Timer' for this scheme?

A 'First Timer' is an employee who meets these conditions: they joined an establishment between 01.08.2025 and 31.07.2027, had never contributed to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) with EPFO or an Exempted Trust before 01.08.2025, and whose contribution is being received for the first time from August 2025 onwards.

What is Face Authentication Technology (FAT) and where can it be used?

Face Authentication Technology (FAT) is a method used for biometric authentication. For this scheme, employees can use the FAT facility available on the UMANG App to authenticate their UAN. This is essential for eligibility.

How many times will an eligible employee receive the incentive?

The incentive under Part A is a one-time offer for all eligible 'First Timers'. It is disbursed in two installments during their service period with the employer.

What happens if an employee's bank account isn't linked with Aadhaar?

If your bank account is not Aadhaar-seeded, the payment of your incentive will be temporarily stopped until the seeding is completed. However, the incentives will continue to accumulate. Once your account is seeded, all pending payments, including arrears, will be released according to the scheme's rules.

What is the 'Financial Literacy Course' required for the scheme?

The 'Financial Literacy Course' is a mandatory online program covering topics like personal finance, savings, and investments. It is available on the EPFO website and must be completed by the employee to receive the incentives.

Can an employee who previously worked in an exempted establishment still qualify as a First Timer?

No, an employee who was previously a contributing member of an Exempted Trust cannot qualify as a 'First Timer' if they later join EPFO, or vice-versa. To be a First Timer, you must never have contributed to EPF before the scheme's start date.

What is the maximum amount an employee can receive under Part A?

The maximum incentive payable to a 'First Timer' under Part A is ₹15,000. This amount is equivalent to one completed month's EPF wage.

What are the conditions for receiving the second installment of the incentive?

For the second installment, the 'First Timer' must have: completed the mandatory Financial Literacy Course, worked for 12 completed months in the same establishment, and the employer must have filed ECRs with contributions for all 12 months.

Will a nominee receive the incentive if the employee passes away before it's credited?

Yes, if an employee eligible for the first or second installment passes away before the incentive is credited to their bank account, their nominee will receive the due incentive.

What is ECR?

ECR stands for Electronic Challan cum Return. It's an online process where employers submit their monthly contributions for employees to the EPFO.

How is the second installment of the incentive managed?

The second installment is held in a special savings or deposit account. It will be paid to the member later, as per future guidelines issued by the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

If an employee leaves their job voluntarily or due to unforeseen circumstances, what happens to their incentive?

If an employee leaves before completing 6 months, they won't be eligible for the first installment. If they leave after 6 months but before 12 months, they won't receive the second installment.

How is the incentive paid to the First Timer employee?

The incentive is paid in two installments directly into the employee's Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

Does an employee need to register separately to get the benefits under Part A?

No, employees do not need to register separately. The incentive is provided based on the ECR filed by their employer with EPFO, provided all other conditions are met.

Can an employee who has a UAN but never contributed to EPF be a First Timer?

Yes, if an employee has a UAN but no prior EPF contributions before the scheme's start date, and their first contribution is made during the scheme period, they are considered a 'First Timer'. They will be eligible if they meet all other requirements like Aadhaar authentication and completing the financial literacy course.

What does 'Completed Wage Month' mean for this scheme?

'Completed Wage Month' refers to a full calendar month for which the employer has filed the ECR. If an employee joins on or before the 5th of a month, that month counts as the first completed wage month. If they join after the 5th, the following month is considered the first.

Is Aadhaar authentication mandatory for receiving benefits?

Yes, Aadhaar authentication is required. Only those employees whose UAN is authenticated via Face Authentication Technology (FAT) are eligible for the scheme's benefits.

What is 'EPF Wage'?

'EPF Wage' refers to the salary amount on which contributions are paid according to Section 6 of the EPF and MP Act, 1952.

Can an employee generate their own UAN using the UMANG App for linking with their employer?

Yes, an employee can generate their UAN using the UMANG App with Face Authentication. This UAN can then be linked to their employer's establishment for verification and claiming scheme benefits.

What happens if an employee joins after the scheme registration period ends?

Employees joining an establishment after the scheme registration period (which ends on 31.07.2027) are not eligible for incentive benefits. However, for establishment-related benefits, these employees will be counted towards calculating net additional employment over the baseline.