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EmployNS Provident Fund Organisation
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{MINISTRY OF IABOUR & EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA)
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Plate A, Ground Floor, Block II, East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi-110023
Wettstte: www.epftndii.gov Jn, www .epftndia.nlcJn
No. Budget/RE-BE/EPFO/E-1200216
Date: 04.11.2025
BUDGET CIRCULAR 2026-27
Subject: Submission of Revised Estimates for the year 2025-26 and Budget
Estimates for the year 2026-27 in respect of Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952
(including Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995) and Employees' Deposit-Linked
Insurance Scheme, 1976 from Zonal Offices/H.O./PDNASS.
Sir/Madam,
In accordance with the provisions contained in Para 58 of the EPF Scheme 1952 and
Para 21 of EDLI Scheme 1976, Revised Estimates (RE) for the FY 2025-26 and the Budget
Estimates (BE) for the FY 2026-27 showing separately the probable receipts from the EPF,
EPS and EDLI contributions are to be prepared and placed before the Central Board of
Trustees, EPF for consideration and approval in this financial year. Further, the RE 2025-26
and BE 2026-27 showing separately the probable income and expenditure relating to the
administration of the Funds are also to be prepared and placed before the Central Board.
2.
The budgetary exercise may not be treated as mere routine exercise and it should
receive the personal attention of the Additional CPFC of the Zone and RPFC in-charge of
Regional Office for its correctness and timely submission. On the part of the RPFC, it should
be treated as a vital function and RPFC should devote personal attention in assisting the
Additional CPFC in-charge of the Zone. Zonal Offices may frame the BE/RE with due care
as per provisions in GFRs after assessing the actual needs of the regions. It has been observed
that in the last few years, RE was more than BE but the actual expenditure was even less than
BE for some regions. Therefore, due care may be taken while submitting the estimates to the
Head Office. Further, RE may be projected in such a manner as to obviate the need for
re-appropriation in the last quarter of the financial year.
3.
Zonal Offices are requested to submit the consolidated budget proposal for their
respective zones, to the Head Office by 24.11.2025. Regional Offices/District Offices are
directed to submit the budget proposals to their respective Zonal Offices/Regional Office
before the target date which may be decided by Zonal Offices, so that the ZOs are able to
submit the complete proposal to the Head Office in time. It is to be ensured that no budget
proposals from the Regional Offices/District Offices are submitted to the Head Office
directly.
4.
PDNASS is treated as an independent office and separate funds are allotted to meet its
own expenditure and the Zonal Training Institutes (ZTis) and Sub-ZTI (Shillong) working
under it. As such, Director, PDNASS, is requested to submit budget proposals for PDNASS
including ZTis and the Sub-ZTI. The ZTis and Sub-ZTI (Shillong) are directed to submit
their budget proposals to PDNASS well in time, so that it can submit complete proposal to
Head Office before the target date, i.e. 24. 11,2025.
S.
ACC (ASD), Head Office is also required to submit the budget proposals in respect
of Head Office including the proposal of National Data Centre (NDC), Bhavishya Nidhi
Enclave and Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan by 24.11.2025. It is requested to co-ordinate with all
the Divisions of the Head Office, so as to collate the budgetary requirements and ensure that
no budgetary provision for expenditure is missed out. The requirement of funds under the
budget head "Minor Civil and Electric Works" for Head Office including NDC, Bhavishya
Nidhi Enclave and Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan shall be provided by ACC (PID)/Chief
Engineer to ACC (ASD) for incorporation in the RE 2025-26 and BE 2026-27 proposal of
Head Office.
6.
The following guidelines may please be kept in mind while formulating the Revised
Estimates for 2025-26 and Budget Estimates for 2026-27:
1.
One single proposal is required to be prepared in respect of a Zone as a whole by
consolidating the proposals of Regional Offices. ACC of the Zone may immediately
direct the ROs under their jurisdiction to ensure that there is no delay in transmission
of the requisite information in the given format. The Revised Estimates for 2025-26
and Budget Estimates for 2026-27 for the offices of Addl. CPFCs (Zones) and
Permanent Inquiry Officers, Zonal Audit Parties and Deputy Directorates (Vigilance)
may include new requirements, if_ any, other than the routine items like Pay &
Allowances, Travelling Allowance, Stationery etc. to the Zonal Offices or PDNASS
as the case may be, where these offices are situated, which in turn, will include the
same in the consolidated budget proposal of the Zone.
11.
Officer-in-charge in Regional Offices, in turn, may direct District Offices under their
jurisdiction to furnish head wise demand for RE 2025-26 & BE 2026-27 and the
demand of RO submitted to Zonal Office should include the RE 2025-26 & BE
2026-27 requirement of District Offices.
111.
To assist the Head Office in the estimation of the amount of contributions receivable
during the year 2025-26 (Revised Estimates) and in 2026-27 (Budget Estimates), the
details of contributions may be given in statements as prescribed in the attached
proforma. The figures of Income, Contribution and Expenditure shall be in Rupees
format only.
1v.
The requisition for additional funds may be sent after careful examination of the
expenditure to be incurred and available funds with the Office. It is being noticed that
requests for additional funds from some Zonal Offices are being received, even
though sufficient funds are available with the Zonal Office. Such practices should be
avoided. It is, therefore, requested to ensure that due care is taken and Budget
Proposals are made on a realistic basis.
v.
As in the previous year, the recovery on account of Repayable Loans and Advances
and Misc. Income on account of Rent etc. will continue to be treated as part of the
Income. The estimates may be worked out on the basis of Actuals for the year
2024-25 & Actuals as on 30.09.2025.
v1.
Para 11.5 of the agreement between EPFO and SBI states that "SB! link branches to
raise bills for service charges on monthly basis before the concerned Regional
Offices. If there is no approval from the Regional Office within 15 days from the
receipt of the bill, it shall be deemed approved and SB/ may debit the service charge
to Account No.2 [Employees' Provident Fund Regional Administration Ale] only
maintained at Regional Offices of the Central Board. In case, the Regional Office
concerned raises a dispute on the amount claimed, the amount under dispute shall
be resolved in accordance with Para 19 of this agreement. ". In this regard, Zonal
Offices should advise their Regional Offices to assess and properly project their budget
requirement under the budget head "Bank and Agency Charges" for the year so that
situation of ex-post facto approvals is avoided. It is requested to ensure that agreement
between EPFO & SBI is being followed in letter and spirit in field offices.
vu.
The Zonal Offices are advised that while projecting their estimates in respect of
sub-budget head "Outsourced Service Charges" under the budget head "Office
Expenses", the anticipated future recruitment/ appointment of SSAs/EO/AO/APFC may
be taken into consideration; in consultation with HRM (EPFO, HO); besides, other
instructions issued by H.O./Gol from time to time.
v111.
Consequent to the amendment of Paragraph 27 of the Pension Scheme, the ratio for the
apportionment of expenditure between the two Schemes i.e. Employees' Provident Fund
Scheme and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme is 99:1. In order to keep the
expenditure within the prescribed ratio, the estimates should be prepared in a consolidated
form i.e. E.P.F. + E.D.L.I. The final apportionment in the prescribed ratio will be done by
Head Office after considering and finalizing the budget proposals by the field offices. In
view of this, separate budget proposal for expenditure in respect of E.D .L.I. Scheme is
not required. However, the budget proposals of Revised Estimates for 2025-26 and
Budget Estimates for 2026-27 in respect of contribution and income under E.D.L.I. may
be furnished separately in the proforma enclosed.
1x.
The estimates should be furnished in respect of applicable Standard Heads of Account
only, as annexed to this Budget Circular and mixing of different heads and creation of
new ones is not allowed.
Care may be taken to book the expenditure under the
appropriate Heads only.
x.
It may be ensured that there shall be no variation between the figures pertaining to
Income & Expenditure of the previous year 2024-25 already reported in the Audited
Balance Sheet and Actuals for 2024-25 shown in the budget proposals. Similarly, actual
expenditure up to 30.09.2025 as reported in the budget proposals should tally with the
figures so far reported by the Zones in the Monthly Expenditure Return II up to the month
of September, 2025.
x1.
While preparing the estimates, the instructions of the Government of India, Department of
Economic Affairs (Budget Division), Ministry of Finance OM No. 12(13)-B(W&M)/2020
dated 25.05.2022 on Cash Management system in Central Govt.- Modified Exchequer
Control based Expenditure Management may be followed in letter and spirit. It should
also be noted that no more than 33% and 15% of expenditure of the Budget Estimates
during a Financial Year shall be permissible in the last quarter and last month of the
financial year, respectively. Also, letter No. Budget-Misc. (4)/ 2021-22/By mail dated
17.06.2021 issued by Head Office on Curtailing Avoidable Expenditure: 20% Reduction
in Controllable Expenditure may also be considered in the process of budget estimating.
xu.
The budget proposals have to be co-related with regard to Income while proposing
Expenditure in the Revised Estimates for 2025-26 and Budget Estimates for 2026-27.
It may be ensured that Income resources are sufficient to withstand the proposed
increase in the expenditure. In this context, it becomes imperative to see that all
sources of Income are fully utilized and special attention is bestowed on collection of
entire Administrative Charges and Inspection Charges due during the year itself.
xm.
Any variation beyond I 0%, in respect of income, contribution & expenditure between
"Actuals 2024-25 and RE 2025-26", "BE 2025-26 and RE 2025-26", "RE 2025-26
and BE 2026-27" should be explained by way of a separate note with proper
justification by Regional Office to Zonal Office, which in turn shall consolidate and
submit the same to Head Office with their recommendations.
xiv.
The reasons for variation i.e. the anticipated increase or decrease under Contribution,
Income and Expenditure in Revised Estimates 2025-26 may be worked out with
reference to the Actuals for the year 2024-25 as well as Budget Estimates for
2025-26. The Budget Estimates for 2026-27, may be with reference to figures shown
in Revised Estimates for 2025-26.
xv.
The Zonal Offices may, in turn, allocate adequate funds to the subordinate offices
under their jurisdiction based on the RE 2025-26 & BE 2026-27 submitted by
respective ROs/District Offices. The requirements of the ROs / District Offices may
also be factored in the proposal of the Zonal Office and are to be annexed with the
consolidated RE 2025-26 & BE 2026-27.
xvi.
The Zonal Offices may also furnish the details of staff (sanctioned and in-position)
posted in ZO and respective ROs/DOs in the attached format.
xvn.
The existing system of discussions by RPFCs of the Regions with their respective
Additional CPFCs of Zones on the estimates may be carried out in advance by
convening a meeting of RPFCs so that all issues are sorted out in advance while
sending the budget proposal to Head Office and there is no problem in distributing the
amounts on receipt of the approved Budget based on proportion to RE & BE
submitted by them. For this purpose, Additional CPFCs of Zones are requested to:-
1.
Act as resource person for regional fonnations in Budget Proposal for the ROs
in a fair manner as well as in distribution of funds between offices in the
Region as per the requirements of each Office.
11.
Be involved in every stage of the budget fonnulations in an appropriate
manner and evaluation of each proposal of all the offices under their
jurisdiction with reference to their past perfonnance, proper utilization of
funds, expenditure incurred, and controls maintained etc.
m.
Act as an economy scrutinizer and inform as and when estimates and the
expenditure causes a mismatch.
7.
ACC (HR), Head Office is requested to:-
1.
Provide the total number of posts sanctioned and filled up category-wise, as of
30.09.2025 including Head Office, along with Pay Level details. Additionally,
submit the details of any additional no. of posts proposed for sanction in
2025-26, along with the financial implications of these proposals, by
24.11.2025.
11.
Forward the proposals for the requirement of budget (RE 2025-26 and BE
2026-27) under the capital budget head 'Motor Vehicle' for Zones, Head
Office, PDNASS including ZTis by 24.11.2025. The actual expenditure
incurred during the financial year 2024-25 and in the present FY 2025-26 (as
on 30.09.2025) under the said head may also be intimated.
111.
Provide RE 2025-26 and BE 2026-27 proposals for Welfare Activities and
Sports Activities for all field offices, including Head Office, by 24.11,2025.
Additionally, the actual expenditure incurred during FY 2024-25 and FY
2025-26 (as on 30.09.2025) may also be provided.
8.
ACC (PID) / Chief Engineer is requested to:
1.
Submit office-wise RE 2025-26 and BE 2026-27 proposals, with detailed
justifications by 24, 11.2025 for 'Land', 'Building and Structures',
'Infrastructural Assets', 'Machinery and Equipment', 'Furniture & Fixtures
(Capital Expenditure)' and 'Other Fixed Assets' under Capital Expenditure.
11.
Ensure that the capital budget requirements under the jurisdiction of
ACC-Zones are incorporated in the RE 2025-26 and BE 2026-27 proposals
during the preparation of the Annual Budget, to streamline Capital budget
planning.
111.
Carefully plan the RE 2025-26 and BE 2026-27 proposals, taking into account
the expected payment schedule for ongoing or new projects, to avoid instances
•
•
of requests for budget revalidation or additional allocations from the Central
Pool.
9•
ACC (Publicity) is requested to review the budgetary requirement for the budget
head 'Advertisement & Publicity' and forward the proposals of Revised Estimates 2025-26
and Budget Estimates 2026-27 for the said head by 24.11.2025.
10.
In order to have a meaningful scrutiny of the budget proposals, the total expenditure
incurred so far (upto September, 2025 provisional) of FY 2025-26 and the anticipated
estimates for the remaining period i.e. October, 2025 to March, 2026 may be taken into
consideration while finalizing and furnishing budget proposals to the Head Office. Further,
budget proposals may be formulated on a realistic basis to reduce the gap between the
Revised Estimates and Actual Expenditure and to avoid surrender of funds towards the end of
financial year.
11.
While furnishing the proposals, it may be ensured that:
a. The proposals are furnished strictly in the proforma enclosed and the time
schedule is adhered to.
b. Reasons for excess expenditure / savings are given invariably against each
primary unit of appropriation.
c. To institutionalize the system of budgeting under Zonal Offices, the final
proposals of respective ROs under the Zone are annexed with the consolidated
proposal submitted to Budget vertical at Head Office.
12.
ZOs, PDNASS, and ASD (HO) must ensure that the RE 2025-26 and BE 2026-27
proposals, complete in all respects and incorporating the requirements of their respective
Regional/Subordinate offices, are submitted to this office by 24.11.2025. The proposals
should be submitted using the proforma provided in the attached Excel workbooks and must
be forwarded both in hard copy and via email to budget.ho@epfindia.gov.in.
(This issues with the approval of Competent Authority)
Encl: As above
To,
(G. R. Suchindranath)
Additional Central PF Commissioner (F &A)
1. All ACC(HQ)-Head Office/CVO/ACCs (HQ)-Zone//Director (PDNASS).
2. All ACCs (Head Office)/ACCs (Zone).
3. All RPFCs in-charge of the Regions/ RPFC-I (ASD), Head Office.
4. RPFC, NDC with a request to upload this Budget Circular (with its enclosures on
EPFO's website).
