EPFO numbers up, but social-security measures remain stuck in the past

While the absolute increase in formal-sector employment looks encouraging, the additions are not on a scale that would make any significant change in overall employment conditions

The data released this week showed that the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) marked a significant milestone in May 2025, recording the highest net addition of members in any month since the launch of its data tracking. Of the two million new net subscribers, around 0.94 million were first-time ones, an increase of 11.04 per cent over April 2025. The increase indicates formalisation in the job market. Further, a major driver behind this surge was the pronounced participation of young workers. The 18-25 age group accounted for 59 per cent of all new EPFO members in May. This demographic indicator