Big update from EPFO: Revamped ECR with enhanced features. What's new and what's improved?

2 min read | Updated on September 25, 2025, 09:39 IST

SUMMARY

The EPFO has announced that the launch date for the new Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR)ECR system will be communicated shortly.

The ECR is a mandatory monthly electronic return submitted by employers to the EPFO. | Image: Shutterstock

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to launch an upgraded version of the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) starting from the wage month of September 2025. "Big Update from EPFO! Revamped ECR with features like system checks on submission, return, and payment segregation, etc, is coming soon for Wage Month September 2025 onwards," EPFO posted on social media handle X.

Key features of the upgraded version of the Electronic Challan-cum-Return

⦁ Segregation of return and payment

⦁ System-based validations to prevent the submission of incorrect ECR.

⦁ Provision for the calculation of damages and interest along with ECR.

⦁ Provision of revision of ECR with certain conditions

⦁ No change in the existing format of the ECR.

The EPFO has announced that the launch date for the new ECR system will be communicated shortly.

What is the ECR (Electronic Challan-cum-Return)?

The ECR is a mandatory monthly electronic return submitted by employers to the EPFO. It contains information on member salaries, contributions to the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) schemes. The ECR serves as both the return and the challan for making payments.

Meanwhile, EPFO has unveiled a series of significant reforms aimed at making its services more transparent, accessible, and user-friendly for millions of subscribers across the country.

Unified access with ‘Passbook Lite’

EPFO has introduced ‘Passbook Lite’ within its member portal, allowing users to view their Provident Fund contributions, withdrawals, and balances easily through a single login.

Online download of Annexure K (Transfer Certificate)

Members can now directly download Annexure K from the portal, enabling transparent tracking of PF transfers.

Streamlined Approvals to Speed Up Settlements

The approval hierarchy for PF transfers, settlements, advances, and refunds has been rationalised. Powers have been delegated to Assistant PF Commissioners and lower levels to fast-track claim processing.