# India EPF rules and 2026 scheme updates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/india-epf-withdrawal-and-interest-rules > Updated: 2026-09-13T05:17:54.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 11. In July 2026, Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) rules were clarified: withdrawals after five years of continuous service are tax-exempt, while earlier withdrawals trigger TDS only on amounts of ₹50,000 or more if a PAN is on file. Form 121 can be used to request no TDS at withdrawal, though it does not make the withdrawal tax-free. EPF balances keep earning interest after a job change until the member turns 58, or for three years after retirement at age 55 or older. The account becomes inoperative at 58 (or after three years of inactivity post-retirement) and stops accruing interest; dormant accounts over seven years are transferred to the Senior Citizen Welfare Fund. On 8 August 2026, the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 2026, was announced to replace the 1952 framework. The new scheme mandates a minimum withdrawal of INR 1,000 and requires that at least 25% of total contributions remain in the account. The contribution rate remains 12% of wages with a statutory ceiling of INR 15,000 per month. To address the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS-95) backlog following a 2022 Supreme Court ruling, the EPFO is implementing measures to accelerate higher-pension claims, including an online Joint Option portal. As of August 5, 2026, 11,595 applications remained pending out of 1,524,365 received. In late August 2026, the EPFO launched the ‘Employees’ Enrolment Campaign, 2026’, allowing establishments to regularize records for workers not covered between April 2009 and March 2026. Additionally, a six-month amnesty scheme was introduced for Provident Fund Trusts. On 9 September 2026, the EPFO updated regulations for advance withdrawals. Members may withdraw up to 75 percent of their total EPF deposit—comprising employee and employer contributions plus interest—after 12 months of membership. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: EPFO to launch EPFO 3.0 with UPI and ATM withdrawal capabilities The EPFO is set to launch ‘EPFO 3.0’, a cloud-based system enabling UPI and ATM withdrawals, while a consumer commission has penalized the organization for delayed claim settlements. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epfo-to-launch-epfo-30-with-upi-and-atm-withdrawal-capabilities ### 2026-09-09: EPFO updates rules for EPF advance withdrawals The EPFO has updated its rules for EPF advance withdrawals, allowing members to access up to 75 percent of their deposits for illness, education, marriage, or housing under specific frequency limits. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epfo-updates-rules-for-epf-advance-withdrawals ### 2026-09-07: EPFO considers new flexible pension structure for retirees The EPFO is considering a new universal pension structure in India that would offer flexible payment options and goal-based retirement planning for contributors. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epfo-considers-new-flexible-pension-structure-for-retirees ### 2026-09-06: EPFO launches amnesty scheme for Provident Fund Trusts The EPFO has launched a six-month amnesty scheme under the EPF Scheme 2026 to allow PF Trusts to retrospectively regularise their exempt status and waive certain compliance requirements. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epfo-launches-amnesty-scheme-for-provident-fund-trusts ### 2026-08-22: EPFO launches worker enrolment drive and clarifies retirement interest rules The EPFO has launched a special enrolment campaign to bring uncovered workers into the social security fold and clarified that EPF accounts continue to earn interest for three years after retirement. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epfo-launches-worker-enrolment-drive-and-clarifies-retirement-interest-rules ### 2026-08-20: EPFO clarifies retirement interest rules and launches new service history feature The EPFO has clarified that EPF accounts stop earning interest three years after retirement for those aged 55 or older, and introduced a ‘Service History’ feature to help members track all job records via their 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epfo-clarifies-retirement-interest-rules-and-launches-new-service-history-feature ### 2026-08-17: EPFO implements measures to speed up higher pension claims The Indian government reported that the EPFO is taking steps to speed up higher-pension applications following a Supreme Court ruling, though no new deadline for clearing the backlog has been set. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epfo-implements-measures-to-speed-up-higher-pension-claims ### 2026-08-12: EPFO issues 1.49 million higher pension orders under new rules EPFO has issued over 1.49 million higher pension orders following a Supreme Court ruling. New rules also allow members to withdraw up to 75% of their EPF balance for medical, educational, or housing needs. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epfo-issues-149-million-higher-pension-orders ### 2026-08-08: India's EPF Rules Updated: Interest Stops After Retirement and New 2026 Scheme Launched EPFO warns retirees that EPF interest stops after three years post‑retirement, and India launches a new EPF scheme in 2026 retaining 12% contributions with voluntary options above the INR 15,000 wage ceiling. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-epf-rules-updated-interest-stops-after-retirement-and-new-2026-scheme-launched ### 2026-08-01: India's EPF Withdrawal Rules After Retirement and Career Breaks India's EPF rules let members withdraw fully at 58, with interest only until 61. Career‑breakers keep interest until 58 (or 3 years after 55). New rules allow 75% immediate withdrawal after job loss, the rest = 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-epf-withdrawal-rules-after-retirement-and-career-breaks ### 2026-07-13: Employees Provident Fund withdrawal and interest rules clarified EPF withdrawals are tax‑free after five years of service; before that TDS applies based on amount and PAN. Interest accrues until age 58 or three years after retirement, after which the account becomes in oper­ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/employees-provident-fund-withdrawal-and-interest-rules-clarified --- Cite as: India EPF rules and 2026 scheme updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/india-epf-withdrawal-and-interest-rules