EPFO 240th CBT Meeting & EPS Pension Hike Updates: The biggest and explosive news of this time is coming out for lakhs of private sector employees and EPS-95 pensioners of the country. Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has officially announced the 240th general meeting of its most high-level and powerful body, the Central Board of Trustees (CBT).
This very important meeting will start on 19 November 2026 at 10:15 am in the country’s capital Delhi. Earlier this meeting was to be held in Gir, Gujarat, but now it has suddenly been shifted to EPFO headquarters in Delhi.
The eyes of crores of salaried employees and elderly pensioners of the country are fixed on this meeting because according to sources and media reports, in this meeting the government can give final approval to the proposal to directly increase the Minimum Monthly Pension from ₹ 1,000 to ₹ 3,000.
Rules are going to change after 12 years: History and present
It is important for central employees and organized sector workers to understand why this pension hike is going to be a huge historic decision:
- The rule is stuck since 2014: The minimum monthly pension of ₹ 1,000 received under EPS has not been changed from September 2014 till date. It was approved by CBT in February 2014 and notification was issued in August 2014.
- Cumin in the mouth of ₹1000 camel in front of inflation: Inflation, treatment expenses and cost of living have increased manifold in the last 12 years. In such a situation, it became impossible for retired employees to spend the month with just ₹ 1,000.
- Discussion of consent in Ministry of Labor and Finance: According to inside sources, this long pending matter is now close to being resolved. After the initial round of talks between the Union Labor Ministry and the Finance Ministry, there is speculation that a draft will be prepared to increase the minimum pension to ₹ 3,000, which can be discussed finally in the meeting on November 19.
What is the demand of pensioners and what is the government giving?
The demands of employee unions and pensioners’ organizations are much bigger than this possible proposal of ₹3,000 by the government. Understand the complete difference from the table below:
EPS-95 Minimum Pension: Demand vs possible action of government
| situation/demand situation | Minimum monthly pension amount | Main argument and basis of pensioners |
| Current Payout | ₹1,000 per month | Applicable from September 2014, which is extremely inadequate in today’s times. |
| Possible proposal of the government (19 Nov) | ₹3,000 per month | Model prepared with mutual consent between Labor and Finance Ministry. |
| Demand of pensioner organizations | ₹7,500 per month | Citing rising inflation, medical expenses and basic needs of living. |
Note: The final and official announcement regarding the increase of ₹3,000 will be made public only after the decisions of the CBT meeting on November 19.
Understand how the complete formula of EPS pension works?
Many working employees do not know how pension money is deducted and deposited from their Provident Fund (PF) account:
- Employer’s Contribution: When you work in a company, 12% of your basic salary and DA goes into your PF account and the company also matches the same amount (12%).
- Transfer to pension fund (8.33% rule): Out of that 12% share in the company, 8.33% is transferred directly to your Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) (subject to the prescribed statutory salary limit).
- How is the final pension decided: The total pension you receive after retirement depends on how much was your pensionable salary and how many years you have served in the country (Eligible Service). Although the minimum pension limit is fixed in the rules, there is no fixed upper limit for the maximum pension.
Conclusion: What to expect on November 19?
This 240th CBT meeting on 19 November 2026 can prove to be a milestone in terms of respect and financial security of the country’s pensioners. Although pensioners’ organizations are adamant on the demand of ₹7,500, but even if the government increases it to ₹3,000, it will be directly 3 times (300% increase) of the existing pension, which will provide a big support to lakhs of elderly people in old age. The eyes of the entire country are now fixed on the official decisions of this general meeting to be held in Delhi.