New Delhi: In a major development for salaried employees, the government has approved an interest rate of 8.25 percent on Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) deposits for the financial year 2025-26. The decision is expected to benefit more than seven crore contributing subscribers across the country.
The approval comes after the Finance Ministry gave its concurrence to the recommendation made by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), paving the way for the interest amount to be credited into members’ accounts.
Finance Ministry Gives Green Signal
The interest rate was originally recommended by the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the highest decision-making body of the EPFO, during a meeting held on March 2, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Union Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
Following the recommendation, the proposal was forwarded to the Finance Ministry for approval, a mandatory step as the Government of India acts as the guarantor of EPF deposits.
Interest Credit Expected Soon
According to sources, the EPFO is now preparing to credit the approved interest into subscriber accounts. The process is expected to begin this month itself.
Officials indicated that under the organization’s upgraded digital ecosystem, interest credits will be processed more efficiently, allowing subscribers to see the updated balance in their accounts sooner than before.
Third Consecutive Year At 8.25%
The approved rate of 8.25 percent marks the third consecutive financial year in which the EPFO has maintained the same level of returns for subscribers.
The retirement fund body had raised the interest rate to 8.25 percent for 2023-24 after offering 8.15 percent in 2022-23. It then retained the same rate for 2024-25 and has now continued it for 2025-26 as well.
EPF Interest Rates Through The Years
EPF interest rates have fluctuated over the past decade based on investment returns and economic conditions. In 2021-22, the rate was reduced to 8.10 percent, the lowest level in more than four decades.
Since then, the EPFO has gradually improved returns and maintained stability, providing consistent earnings for millions of retirement fund subscribers across India.
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