**Executive Summary**
The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS) convened a National Workshop, posted on February 3rd, 2024, to shift towards a "Member-First" approach in social security administration. The workshop focused on prioritizing pensioner dignity and convenience, ensuring readiness for the CITES Project, and addressing the Code on Social Security. The overall aim is to improve digital capabilities, enable faster claim settlements and greater transparency.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Strategic Shift & Key Focus Areas:**
* The workshop signals a strategic shift towards a "Member-First" approach in social security administration.
* Key focus areas include pensioner dignity, convenience, the CITES Project, and the Code on Social Security.
* **Pensioner Experience Enhancement:**
* Streamline pension processing to reduce waiting time.
* Standardize procedures across all zones for uniform service quality.
* Enhance the overall experience for senior citizens with clarity and speed in handling pension cases.
* **Digital Transformation and CITES Project:**
* Digital transformation is envisioned as the backbone of a compassionate social security net.
* The CITES Project aims to enhance digital capabilities, enabling faster claim settlements and greater transparency for "Ease of Living".
* **Compliance and Governance:**
* Initiatives were discussed to strengthen compliance frameworks while maintaining ease of doing business during the transition to the Code on Social Security.
* Capacity-building efforts are now centered on "responsive governance" and aligning with the Code on Social Security for robust worker and pensioner protection.
* **Commitment and Resolve:**
* Participants pledged to leverage digital initiatives to provide a reliable, accessible, and caring social security net.
* The EPFO reaffirms its commitment to its members through improved services.
**Impact Analysis**
**Pensioners:**
* **Impact:** Pensioners will benefit from streamlined processes, reduced waiting times, improved service quality, and greater transparency in pension case handling.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of and utilize the enhanced digital capabilities and streamlined processes for pension-related matters.
**Workers:**
* **Impact:** Workers will benefit from more robust protection through alignment with the Code on Social Security.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of and understand the new compliance frameworks and initiatives aimed at strengthening social security protection.
**Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):**
* **Impact:** The EPFO is expected to improve its service delivery, enhance digital capabilities, and strengthen compliance with social security codes.
* **Action Required:** Implement the measures outlined in the workshop, including streamlining processes, standardizing procedures, and leveraging digital initiatives to meet the evolving needs of members.
**PDUNASS:**
* **Impact:** PDUNASS is taking a pivotal role in shaping a knowledgeable, responsive and empathetic workforce.
* **Action Required:** Continue to drive capacity-building efforts, deliver quality training and be aligned with the Code on Social Security.
Key Entities Referenced
Social Security Code: A national law concerning social security in India. The workshop focused on institutional readiness for this code.
PDUNASS: The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security, apex training and research institute of the EPFO, convened the national workshop.
CITES Project: A project focusing on enhancing digital capabilities within the organization, highlighted as a critical tool for 'Ease of Living'.
Ministry of Labour & Employment: The Indian government ministry under whose purview the workshop and related social security efforts fall.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
PDUNASS Champions "Member-First" Vision:
National Workshop Focuses on Pensioner
Dignity, CITES Project, and Social Security Code
Posted On: 03 FEB 2026 7:04PM by PIB Delhi
The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS) convened a strategic
National Workshop today, signaling a decisive shift in social security administration towards a "Member-
First" approach. The session focused on recalibrating operational frameworks to prioritize the dignity and
convenience of pensioners while ensuring institutional readiness for the CITES Project and the Code on
Social Security.Delivering the keynote address virtually, Shri Ramesh Krishnamurthy, Central Provident Fund
Commissioner (CPFC), articulated a vision where digital transformation serves as the backbone of a
compassionate social security net.
"Our transformation must be driven by an institutionally aligned and strictly member-focused approach.
For our pensioners, timely service is not just a metric, it is a matter of dignity," Shri Krishnamurthy stated.
He emphasized that modernizing processes is essential to meeting the expectations of a rapidly expanding
subscriber base. He stressed that reliability and accountability are non-negotiable, particularly when
handling sensitive matters such as pension.The workshop placed special emphasis on the pensioner's experience. Shri Chandramauli Chakraborty
(ACC-HQ), Smt. Aprajita Jaggi (ACC), and Shri S. K. Gupta (RPFC-I) addressed the participants on
behalf of the Pension Division. They outlined measures to:
Streamline pension processing to reduce waiting time.
Standardize procedures across all zones to ensure uniform service quality.
Enhance the overall experience for senior citizens, ensuring that pension cases are handled with
clarity and speed.
Shri Salil Shankar (ACC, IS Division) presented the blueprint for the CITES Project, highlighting it as a
critical tool for "Ease of Living." The project is designed to enhance digital capabilities, enabling faster
claim settlements and greater transparency.Additionally, Shri P. B. Verma (ACC, Compliance, Recovery & Legal) discussed initiatives to strengthen
compliance frameworks while maintaining ease of doing business during the transition to the Code on
Social Security.
In his welcome address, Shri Kumar Rohit, Director, PDUNASS, emphasized that the organization’s
capacity-building efforts are now centered on "responsive governance." He highlighted that aligning with
the Code on Social Security is vital for extending robust protection to workers and pensioners alike.
The event was seamlessly executed under the supervision of Course Director Shri Harish Yadav, RPFC-I.
His meticulous coordination ensured a structured and productive environment for officers to share field-
level experiences and innovative approaches to service delivery.
The workshop concluded with a collective resolve to uphold EPFO’s commitment to its members.
Participants pledged to leverage digital initiatives not just for efficiency, but to provide a reliable,
accessible, and caring social security net for millions of pensioners across the nation.About PDUNASS
The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS) is the apex training
and research institute of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Dedicated to capacity
building and professional development, the Academy plays a critical role in shaping a responsive,
knowledgeable, and empathetic workforce capable of delivering high-quality social security services to
millions of stakeholders across India.
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Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander
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