Millions of pensioners receiving benefits under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) may have a reason to look forward to an upcoming EPFO meeting. The government is reportedly considering a proposal to increase the minimum monthly pension from the existing ₹1,000 to ₹3,000.

According to media reports, the proposal could be discussed at the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting scheduled for November 19, 2026. However, no official announcement has been made so far, so pensioners should treat the proposed increase as a possibility rather than a confirmed decision.

EPFO's November 19 meeting: What is on the agenda?

The EPFO's Central Board of Trustees meeting was initially planned to take place in Gir, Gujarat, but the venue has reportedly been shifted to New Delhi.

In a letter dated November 4, EPFO Regional Provident Fund Commissioner Subrata Bhowmik informed CBT members that the meeting would be held at the EPFO headquarters on November 19 at 10:15 am.

The possible revision of the minimum EPS pension is among the developments attracting attention ahead of the meeting.

Minimum EPS pension has remained unchanged since 2014

The minimum monthly pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme was last increased to ₹1,000 in 2014. The proposal was approved by the Central Board of Trustees, subsequently announced in the Union Budget for 2014-15 and notified by the government in August 2014.

Since then, the minimum pension has remained unchanged despite rising living expenses.

Several employee and pensioner organisations have been demanding a substantial increase. Some groups have sought a minimum monthly pension of at least ₹7,500, arguing that the existing ₹1,000 amount is insufficient to meet basic household expenses.

Why is the demand for a pension increase gaining momentum?

The demand has become more prominent following discussions around changes to the pensionable salary limit.

EPS pension is calculated based on pensionable salary and eligible years of service. Any revision to the salary ceiling can affect pension calculations for eligible employees.

However, the minimum pension and the salary limit are separate matters. An increase in the salary ceiling does not automatically mean that the minimum monthly pension will also rise.

How does the Employees' Pension Scheme work?

The Employees' Pension Scheme is a social security programme designed to provide retirement income to eligible employees in the organised sector.

Under the standard contribution structure, the employer contributes 8.33% of the employee's pensionable salary towards EPS, subject to the applicable wage ceiling and rules.

The pension amount generally depends on two key factors:

• Pensionable salary: The salary considered for calculating the pension under EPS rules.

• Pensionable service: The eligible number of years for which an employee has contributed to the scheme.

Employees who meet the prescribed eligibility conditions can receive a monthly pension after retirement.

Will the minimum pension definitely increase to ₹3,000?

Not yet. Although reports suggest that the proposal has been discussed between the Labour Ministry and the Finance Ministry, neither ministry has officially confirmed the increase.

The November 19 CBT meeting could provide more clarity on the matter. Even if the board considers or approves a proposal, the applicable government approval and notification process would still need to be completed.

For now, EPS pensioners should wait for an official announcement before assuming that their monthly pension will increase.

If approved, the proposed revision from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 would represent a significant change for pensioners who depend on EPS benefits as a source of regular income.