Nagaland reports 35,088 EPFO subscribers, showing rising social security coverage among workers.
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KOHIMA — Nagaland currently has a total of 35,088 subscribers under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), according to the Annual Administrative Report (AAR) 2025–26 of the state Labour Department.
The report stated that 1,349 establishments in the state have been registered under the EPF scheme, reflecting the gradual expansion of social security coverage among workers in the organised sector.
The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the country’s social security law, establishing compulsory retirement savings (EPF), Pension (EPS) and insurance (EDLI) for organised sector workers, is administered by the EPFO under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Act mandates contributions from both employers and employees to build long-term financial security.
The Act applies to factories and establishments employing 20 or more workers drawing wages up to INR 15,000 per month. However, from August 1, 2025, employees earning up to INR1 lakh per month became eligible to join the scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Vikshit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
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The PMVBRY, launched on August 1, 2025, is an employment incentive scheme aimed at generating 3.5 crore jobs across India within two years.
Under the scheme, incentives of up to INR 15,000 are provided to first-time job seekers, while employers receive INR 3,000 per month per employee to encourage hiring and workforce formalisation.
The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment through the EPFO.
2,42,339 registered on e-SHRAM Portal
Meanwhile, the report highlighted that there are 2,42,339 unorganised workers registered under the e-Shram portal, which seeks to build a comprehensive national database of unorganised workers.
According to sector-wise data, agriculture accounts for the highest number of registered workers with 1,37,339 registrations, followed by construction -42,134, miscellaneous sectors -11,930, domestic and household workers - 8,022, and handicrafts and carpets -7,558.
Other sectors include automobile and transportation -6,546, education 5,505, apparel -5,446, retail -3,169, food industry -2,502, capital goods and manufacturing -2,441, healthcare -2,115, electronics and hardware -1,993, tourism and hospitality -1,401, beauty and wellness -1,262, office administration and facility management -817, professionals -774, printing -332.
Leather industry works -272, private security -164, musical instruments -154, wood and carpentry -154, mining -89, gem and jewellery -76, organised retail -52, glass and ceramics -26, services -26, textile and handloom -21, banking, financial services and insurance -13, and tobacco industry -6.
NBOCW covers over 32,000 construction workers
The Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers’ (NBOCW) Welfare Scheme, implemented by the state Labour Department, continues to provide social security and welfare benefits to construction workers across the state.
According to official data, a total of 32,271 construction workers have been registered under the scheme, including 22,449 male and 9,822 female beneficiaries.
District-wise, Kohima recorded the highest number of registered workers with 6,841 beneficiaries (3,577 male and 3,264 female), followed by Mokokchung with 4,949 (4,415 male and 534 female), and Mon with 4,309 (2,454 male and 1,855 female). Tuensang accounted for 3,405 beneficiaries (2,907 male and 498 female).
Other districts include Longleng with 1,953 (1,599 male and 354 female), Zunheboto with 1,740 (1,378 male and 362 female), Phek with 1,676 (1,016 male and 660 female), Wokha with 1,399 (1,216 male and 183 female), Kiphire with 1,415 (1,373 male and 42 female), Dimapur with 1,449 (1,410 male and 39 female), and Peren with 796 (558 male and 238 female).
Smaller registrations were reported from Shamator with 151 (147 male and 4 female), Niuland with 149 (all male), Noklak with 119 (117 male and 2 female), and Tseminyu with 100 (94 male and 6 female). Chümoukedima recorded 43 beneficiaries (39 male and 4 female).
The department stated that to expand coverage and improve utilisation of benefits, the department has been conducting regular awareness programmes, registration camps, and field visits across districts.
These initiatives aim to educate workers on registration procedures, available welfare schemes, and occupational safety, thereby strengthening worker protection and overall well-being in Nagaland.