Introduction

The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) was launched on December 1, 2020, as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package to promote employment and economic recovery in India following the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme was designed to incentivize employers to hire new workers and rehire those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic by providing EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund) contributions for both employees and employers.

Implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, ABRY aimed to reduce the financial burden on businesses, boost formal employment, and strengthen the social security system. The scheme was operational until March 31, 2022 and significantly contributed to employment generation during a crucial period of economic recovery.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), covering its objectives, features, eligibility criteria, application process, benefits, impact, and challenges.

Objectives of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY)

The primary objectives of ABRY were:

✅ Encouraging employment generation by providing financial incentives to businesses.

✅ Reducing the financial burden on employers by covering EPF contributions.

✅ Formalizing the workforce by bringing more employees under EPF coverage.

✅ Supporting COVID-affected businesses in retaining and hiring employees.

Key Features of the ABRY Scheme

1. Government Contribution to EPF Accounts

  • For organizations with up to 1,000 employees: The government covered 24% of the EPF contribution (12% employer + 12% employee).
  • For organizations with more than 1,000 employees: The government covered only 12% of the EPF contribution for employees.

2. Eligible Employees

  • New employees earning a monthly wage of up to ₹15,000.
  • Employees who lost jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2020 – September 30, 2020) and were re-hired under EPF registration.

3. Duration of Benefits

  • The benefit was provided for up to 2 years from the date of employee registration under ABRY.

4. Implementation via EPFO

  • The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) managed the scheme.
  • Employers had to register new employees through the EPFO portal.

Eligibility Criteria for ABRY

For Employers

✅ Must be registered under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

✅ Should have a valid LIN (Labour Identification Number) under the Shram Suvidha Portal.

✅ Should add a minimum of 2 new employees if the existing workforce is less than 50 or a minimum of 5 new employees if the workforce is more than 50.

For Employees

✅ Must be newly registered under EPFO between October 1, 2020, and March 31, 2022.

✅ Must have a monthly salary of up to ₹15,000.

✅ Must not have been employed in any EPF-registered establishment prior to October 1, 2020.

How to Apply for ABRY?

For Employers

✅ Log in to the EPFO Employer Portal: https://unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in/

✅ Register new employees under EPF Act, 1952.

✅ Submit employee details and salaries under the ABRY scheme.

✅ Claim EPF subsidy as per eligibility criteria.

For Employees

✅ Ensure the employer has registered under ABRY.

✅ Provide necessary KYC documents (Aadhaar, bank details, PAN, etc.).

✅ Verify EPF contribution and government subsidy in the EPFO Member Portal.

Documents Required for ABRY

📌 For Employers:

  • EPFO registration certificate.
  • Labour Identification Number (LIN).
  • Employee salary records and UAN details.
  • Bank details for EPF transactions.

📌 For Employees:

  • Aadhaar Card (linked to UAN).
  • Bank account details.
  • Salary slip showing ₹15,000 or below as monthly wage.

Benefits of ABRY Scheme

✅ Encouraged job creation by providing financial support to employers.

✅ Helped businesses recover from pandemic-related losses.

✅ Increased EPFO registrations, improving social security coverage.

✅ Provided financial relief to low-wage earners.

✅ Boosted formal employment and reduced casual labor dependency.

Impact of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana

📌 Over 7.6 million jobs created under the scheme.

📌 More than ₹22,000 crore allocated for EPF contributions.

📌 Formalization of workforce led to increased job security and benefits.

📌 Enhanced participation of MSMEs, which are key employment generators.

Challenges and Limitations

❌ Short duration of the scheme (ended in March 2022).

❌ Limited employer awareness led to underutilization.

❌ Excluded informal sector workers who were not part of EPFO.

❌ Dependence on employer participation, restricting outreach.

Future Scope and Recommendations

📢 Extend the scheme to further incentivize MSMEs.

📢 Improve awareness programs for small businesses and employees.

📢 Expand coverage to the unorganized sector, increasing financial security.

📢 Integrate ABRY with skill development initiatives like PMKVY.

Conclusion

The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) played a crucial role in employment generation and workforce formalization in India, especially during the post-pandemic economic recovery. By providing EPF subsidies, it encouraged job creation, enhanced financial security, and strengthened MSME resilience.

Although the scheme ended in March 2022, its impact was significant in boosting employment. A long-term extension or revival of such schemes could further support India’s employment and economic growth goals.

📢 For more details, visit: https://www.epfindia.gov.in


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