Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: Part A- Support for First-Time Employees gives new workers entering their first formal job a one-time cash incentive of up to ₹15,000. This money helps them during their early learning phase and pays for the mandatory financial literacy course on the EPFO portal. Old draft is now current as on 11.08.2026, the scheme remains open for employees joining between 01.08.2025 and 31.07.2027 and around 70 lakh first-time employees have already been brought into the formal workforce under PM-VBRY.
PM-VBRY is a Central Sector Scheme approved by the Government of India on 01.07.2025 with an outlay of ₹99,446 crore. It aims to help create more than 3.5 crore jobs over two years, and around 1.92 crore of these are expected to be first-time entrants into the workforce. The scheme is run by the Ministry of Labour and Employment through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). It has two parts: Part A supports first-time employees and Part B supports employers who generate additional jobs. This page covers Part A only.
Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: Part A- Support for First-Time Employees - Introduction
Part A of PM-VBRY is designed for youth who are entering the formal workforce for the first time. It offers an incentive equal to one month of wages, capped at ₹15,000, to a first-time employee whose monthly gross wage is up to ₹1,00,000. The money is paid in two installments through Direct Benefit Transfer. This support helps new workers settle into formal employment while encouraging employers to create more jobs, especially in labor-intensive manufacturing sectors.
As per the latest official update from June 2026, around 70 lakh first-time employees have joined the formal workforce under PM-VBRY since August 2025, and women make up nearly 30% of these beneficiaries. About 10 lakh employees have already received the incentive after completing six months in their first job, and more than ₹2,000 crore has been transferred directly to beneficiary bank accounts. The scheme is clearly working on the ground.
Core objectives of the scheme:
- To boost employment generation by giving support to both new employees and the establishments that hire them.
- To increase the formalization of the workforce in India and improve overall worker skills.
- To provide money help that lets first-timers manage their early professional learning phase and covers upskilling costs.
- To teach financial literacy to young workers so that they can handle their money well.
What is a First Timer? A first timer is a person who joins an establishment during the scheme period and has never contributed to the EPFO or an Exempted Trust before. According to the official guidelines, a first timer must have a date of joining between 01.08.2025 and 31.07.2027, must not have been a contributing member of the EPFO or an Exempted Trust before 01.08.2025, and their first contribution must be received for the wage month of August 2025 or later. The Universal Account Number (UAN) must be authenticated using Face Authentication Technology on the UMANG App.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: Part A- Support for First-Time Employees |
| Launched By | Ministry of Labour and Employment |
| Scheme Level | Central Sector Scheme |
| Beneficiaries | First-time employees |
| Benefit Amount | Up to ₹15,000 (one month wage) |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Scheme Period | 01.08.2025 to 31.07.2027 |
| Implementing Agency | Employees' Provident Fund Organisation |
| Official Website | pmvbry.labour.gov.in |
Benefits
A first-time employee joining an establishment covered under the EPFO with a gross wage of up to ₹1,00,000 per month can get a benefit equal to one month of wages, capped at ₹15,000. This amount is paid in two installments:
| Installment | Timing | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| First Installment | After 6 months of service | Transferred directly to the Aadhaar-seeded bank account. |
| Second Installment | After 12 months of service | Transferred after completing the financial literacy course. |
Payments are processed within 45 days of meeting the eligibility requirements and filing of the Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR). The money is transferred through the Aadhaar Bridge Payment System. In March 2026, benefits worth ₹461 crore were paid under the scheme, including ₹247 crore to 4.41 lakh first-time employees under Part A.
Eligibility
To qualify as a first-time employee under this scheme, the following conditions must be met:
- New Entry: The employee must join an establishment between 01.08.2025 and 31.07.2027 and should not have been a contributing member of the EPFO or an Exempted Trust before 01.08.2025.
- Contribution: The first contribution to the EPFO or an exempted trust must be made for the wage month of August 2025 or later.
- Salary Limit: The monthly gross wage must be up to ₹1,00,000, including all emoluments as per the employment contract.
- Service Duration: Continuous employment of at least 6 months in the same establishment is needed to claim the first installment.
- Training: The mandatory financial literacy course prescribed by the EPFO must be completed before the 12th month of service.
Example: If Ravi joins his first job in September 2025 with a salary of ₹25,000 and his employer files his EPF contribution, Ravi becomes eligible for these incentives once he completes his 6-month work milestone.
Application Process
There is no separate registration process for employees. Eligibility is decided based on the Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) filed by the employer with the EPFO. The steps below explain what the employee needs to do.
STEP 1 - Generate the Universal Account Number (UAN) using the Face Authentication Technology (FAT) facility on the UMANG App. Keep the UAN and Aadhaar details ready.
STEP 2 - Share this UAN with the employer so that EPF contributions can be filed correctly. The employer files monthly ECR and the scheme benefits are worked out from this data.
STEP 3 - Work continuously for at least 6 months in the same establishment. After this period, the first installment of up to ₹15,000 is transferred directly to the Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
STEP 4 - Complete the free Financial Literacy Program before the 12th month of service. This is required to get the second installment of the incentive.
STEP 5 - Track the status on the official PMVBRY portal at pmvbry.labour.gov.in or through the EPFO member interface. Payments arrive automatically once the employer completes the reporting requirements.
Documents
- Aadhaar Card
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar-seeded bank account details
- Universal Account Number (UAN)
References
Ministry of Labour Official Website
PIB Update on PM-VBRY Disbursement
FAQ's
What is the Part A- Support for First-Time Employees component?
Part A gives a one-time incentive of up to ₹15,000 to new employees joining their first formal job. This money helps with their learning costs while they complete a mandatory financial literacy course on the EPFO portal.
How is the incentive paid?
The incentive is paid in two installments directly into the Aadhaar-seeded bank account. The first installment comes after 6 months of continuous service and the second after 12 months, once the financial literacy course is done.
Is there a registration process for employees?
No, there is no manual registration. The employee just needs a valid UAN authenticated with Face Authentication Technology. Eligibility is decided from the employment data and contributions filed by the employer through the EPFO portal.
What if I leave my job before 12 months?
If you leave or change jobs before completing 6 months, you do not get the first installment. If you leave after 6 months but before 12, you will lose the second installment.
Why is Aadhaar seeding necessary?
Aadhaar seeding is required so that the incentive payments reach the correct beneficiary safely and directly through the Direct Benefit Transfer system.
Is the scheme still running in 2026?
Yes. The scheme is open for employees who join between 01.08.2025 and 31.07.2027. Around 70 lakh first-time employees have joined the formal workforce under PM-VBRY since August 2025, and the government disbursed about ₹2,400 crore under the scheme in June 2026.
