The government has launched Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 2026, under the Code on Social Security, 2020. The new scheme replaced Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952.Since the old EPF scheme is no longer applicable now, many Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) subscribers are wondering whether the EPF interest rate of 8.25% has also been increased under the new scheme.Will you get more than 8.25% interest rate under the new EPF scheme?No, the EPF interest rate will remain 8.25% under the new EPF scheme.As per an Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) circular on July 1, 2026, “The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has conveyed the approval of the Central Government under Para 60(1) of Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 1952, to credit interest at 8.25% for the Financial Year 2025-26 to the account of each member of the EPF Scheme as per the provisions under Para 60 of EPF Scheme, 1952.”Will EPF come under the Social Security Code, 2020?Until now, the EPF scheme operated under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. With the notification of the EPF Scheme, 2026, it now comes under the Code on Social Security, 2020. Just a heads up, this change does not impact current EPF members. Their accounts, balances and accumulated benefits will keep running smoothly.Is there any improvement in EPF digital services under the new EPF scheme?The new scheme formally focuses on several digital services that EPFO has already been offering online. EPF Scheme, 2026, formally incorporates several digital services that EPFO offers. These include online filing of returns, electronic maintenance of records, digital member accounts, online claim submission, electronic annual statements and digital inspections.Is there now an interest rate cap on exempted PF trusts? Under the new EPF scheme regulations, private (exempted) PF trusts are prohibited from declaring an interest rate that exceeds the central government's declared EPF rate by more than 200 basis points (2%). The interest shall be credited to the account of each member on the monthly running balance of the member. Puneet Gupta, partner, People Advisory services, EY India, says, “The rate is not notified every year by the central government. The change in the new scheme is that a private PF trust cannot notify the interest rate more than 200 basis points above the rate declared by the central government.” As per the EPF notification, “The board of trustees shall declare the rate of interest annually, commensurate with the income earned for the said year, and the same shall not exceed 200 basis points above the rate of interest declared by the central government.”Can government change EPF contribution?Yes, the government can temporarily change EPF contributions during emergencies.The EPF Scheme, 2026, gives the central government the power to temporarily reduce or defer EPF contributions during exceptional situations. This power can be exercised for up to three months in the event of pandemics, epidemics and national disasters, according to the notification. The provision will provide flexibility during emergencies and does not permanently change the contribution structure.Will EPFO rules remain same in new EPFO framework?While the legal framework has been updated, most of the provisions that matter to EPF subscribers remain the same.