Centre launches ELI scheme to create over 3.5 crore jobs
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 30 2025: The Government of India has rolled out Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme with a total outlay of Rs 99,446 crore, targeting the creation of over 3.5 crore jobs across the country.

The scheme, implemented by the ministry of labour and employment through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), aims to boost formal employment, particularly in the manufacturing sector, and strengthen the social security network.

Addressing the media in Imphal on Wednesday, EPFO, Special State Office, Imphal regional provident fund commissioner-II Angom Surendra said that the scheme is a landmark move to encourage sustainable job creation and enhance financial literacy among workers.

The scheme not only provides financial incentives but also seeks to bring more workers into the formal workforce, ensuring timely social security contributions, he said.

ELI Scheme consists of two components.

Part A provides a one-time incentive to first-time employees earning up to Rs 1 lakh per month.

Eligible employees will receive the incentive, based on Basic Pay and Dearness Allowance capped at Rs 15,000, in two instalments, after six months and one year of continuous employment.

The second instalment is conditional upon completing a financial literacy course available on the EPFO portal.

Employers, however, are not covered under this part.

Part B supports employers who increase their workforce.

They will receive up to Rs 3,000 per month for each additional employee hired, for two years.

For manufacturing establishments, this benefit extends up to four years.

The incentive amount varies depending on the employee's wage slab.

To qualify, an employer must show a net gain in employment, at least two additional hires for firms with fewer than 50 workers or five for those with 50 or more, and sustain that increase for at least six months.

The baseline for calculating this increase will be based On the average workforce size in the period leading up to August 1, 2025 .

The scheme will apply to employment generated between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.Surendra urged employers and job seekers to make use of the EPFO portal or contact the EPFO Special State Office at Keishampat Aheibam Leikai, Imphal West, for more information and registration.

He described the ELI Scheme as a transformative step towards inclusive economic growth.

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