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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3573
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026
PENDING CLAIMS ON THE HIGHER PENSION OPTION UNDER EPFO
3573. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:
(a)the details of number of pending claims under the higher pension option
of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in the country,
State/UT-wise, particularly in Kerala;
(b)the details of number of applications received, processed, approved and
pending along with the reasons for the delay;
(c)whether any directions have been issued by the Government to Regional
EPFO offices and employers to expedite verification and processing of
pending applications and if so, the details thereof;
(d)whether the Government proposes to introduce a time-bound mechanism
for disposal of pending cases and release of pension arrears; and
(e)the details of measures taken by the Government to simplify the higher
pension process, resolve employer-related issues and ensure timely
disbursal of enhanced pension benefits to eligible pensioners in the
country, particularly in Kerala?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) & (b): The zone-wise disposal details of the higher pension application
of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) are annexed at
Annexure.
(c) to (e): EPFO has taken action to implement the directions contained in
the Hon'ble Supreme Court Judgment dated 04.11.2022 in a time-bound
manner. An online facility was provided and applications for validation of
Joint Options processed in accordance with the applicable provisions.
Instructions were issued time to time to Regional Offices for
timely disposal of Pension on Higher Wages. Regular VCs were also held
with all Zonal and Regional Offices.
The Government remains committed to ensuring maximum
benefits for workers under the EPS-2026 Scheme while taking into
consideration the health of the Fund and the future liabilities thereon.
* *****Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no. 3573 for
10.08.2026.
Zone wise disposal details of the higher pension applications as on 05.08.2026
Total No. of Applications Applications pending for
Zonal Office Received in FO disposal
ANDHRA PRADESH
(VIJAYWADA) 56,799 115
BENGALURU
(BENGALURU) 1,09,307 9
GUJARAT
(AHMEDABAD) 96,889 45
HARYANA 31,738 4
RAJASTHAN 38,788 25
TAMIL
NADU(EXCLUDING
CHENNAI) 77,147 4
TELANGANA
(HYDERABAD) 1,65,331 501
DELHI,
UTTARAKHAND &
JAMMU 95,419 1389
CHENNAI &
PUDUCHERRY
(CHENNAI) 72,044 631
MAHARASHTRA(EXCL
UDING
MUMBAI)(PUNE) 1,26,311 1380
MUMBAI-1 (BANDRA) 1,26,444 406
KARNATAKA (OTHER
THAN BENGALURU) &
GOA (HUBLI) 91,699 237
ORISSA
(BHUBANESWAR) 49,234 1341
WB, A&N ISLANDS &
SIKKIM (KOLKATA) 57,906 327
UTTAR PRADESH 65208 236
BIHAR &
JHARKHAND(PATNA) 29,944 134
MUMBAI-2 (THANE) 28,987 148
MADHYA PRADESH &
CHATTISGARH
(BHOPAL) 67,605 392
NORTH-EASTERN
REGION (GUWAHATI) 10,954 16
KERALA &
LAKSHADWEEP
(THIRUVANANTHAPUR
AM) 81,665 1,251
PUNJAB & HIMACHAL
PRADESH 44,946 3,004
Grand Total 15,24,365 11,595
*****