The Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, in collaboration with the Labour Department of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration and the Regional Employees’ Provident Fund Office (EPFO), Sri Vijaya Puram, organized a sensitization programme on the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) , a flagship employment initiative aimed at creating 3.5 crore new jobs across the country by July 2027.
The awareness programme, attended by more than 30 prospective employers, sought to explain the operational framework and benefits of the Rs. 1 lakh crore national employment drive, designed to strengthen the workforce and promote inclusive economic growth.
Vishakh O.T., Assistant Labour Commissioner, Labour Department, A&N Administration, opened the session by welcoming the gathering and highlighting the scheme’s local implementation progress. He informed that over 100 employers and employees in the A&N Islands have already registered on the official PM-VBRY portal, reflecting early adoption of the scheme in the Union Territory.
The technical presentation was delivered by Kaushik Roy, Regional EPF Commissioner, EPFO, Sri Vijaya Puram, who explained the scheme’s objectives, eligibility criteria, and expected employment outcomes. He emphasized that PM-VBRY is part of the Government’s larger Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision, which focuses on transforming India into a developed economy through job creation, skill development, and financial inclusion.
Distinguished guest Shivakant Kumar, Deputy Secretary (Labour), interacted with participants and clarified queries about registration procedures and benefit structures. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to generate more than 3.5 crore jobs between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027, and encouraged employers to leverage the scheme to expand their workforce responsibly.
According to officials, the PM-VBRY has been designed to incentivize both employers and first-time employees, ensuring balanced growth across industries.
Under the scheme, employees earning up to Rs. 1 lakh per month and registered with EPFO are eligible to receive direct cash benefits of up to Rs. 15,000 in two instalments via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), after completing six and twelve months of continuous service and a financial literacy course.
For employers, the scheme offers monthly incentives ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000 per new hire over a two-year period, extended to four years for manufacturing units. The structure encourages continuous job creation: companies with fewer than 50 workers must employ at least two new staff members annually, while those with larger workforces must hire at least five new employees per year to remain eligible.
Eligibility requirements include Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, Universal Account Numbers (UANs), and EPFO registration for employees. Employers must also be registered with EPFO and submit monthly Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) filings.
The programme further outlined that the scheme is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Labour & Employment and the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Registrations are open through the PM-VBRY portal (pmvbry.epfindia.gov.in) and the UMANG mobile app, allowing seamless digital access for employers and job seekers alike.
Officials described PM-VBRY as a cornerstone in India’s employment strategy, offering targeted financial support to promote job creation, especially for youth entering the workforce for the first time. The initiative is expected to boost formal employment, enhance job security, and encourage businesses to expand responsibly.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Vaibhav Kumar, Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central), who appreciated the active participation of employers and stakeholders. He also encouraged continued collaboration between the administration, industry, and the workforce to ensure effective implementation of the scheme in the islands.
With this sensitization session, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have become early adopters of the PM-VBRY initiative, reflecting the region’s growing engagement in national employment reforms and commitment to inclusive economic development.
