EPFO’s latest order on increasing ex-gratia amount under death relief fund to Rs 15 lakh for family of central government employees shall come into force with effect from 01 April 2025.
Retirement fund body Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued a circular regarding enhancement of Ex Gratia amount under Death Relief Fund to Rs. 15 Lakh in the event of death of an employee of the Central Board.
EPFO’s Latest Circular on Ex-Gratia Hike
In its latest circular issued on 19 August 2025, EPFO said, it is “directed to convey the approval of the Central Provident Fund Commissioner / President, Central Staff Welfare Committee, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, for enhancement of the ex-gratia amount under Death Relief Fund from Rs. 8.80 Lakh to Rs. 15 Lakh. The ex-gratia amount of Rs. 15 Lakh (Rs. Fifteen Lakh only) shall be paid to the family members (nominee or legal heirs) of the deceased employee of the Central Board, from the Staff Welfare Fund.”
Annual Increment of 5% from 2026
EPFO further said that latest instructions shall come into force with effect from 01 April 2025. Also, this ex-gratia amount shall be increased by 5 percent every year starting from 01 April 2026.
This is the second time that EPFO has increased the ex-gratia amount. The retirement fund body had almost doubled the amount from 4.20 lakh to Rs 8 lakh during covid.
Previous Enhancements in Death Relief Fund
This is not the first time EPFO has revised the ex-gratia amount. Earlier, in November 2021, the retirement body had almost doubled the relief benefit:
- From ₹4.20 lakh to ₹8.00 lakh, in cases where the cause of death was other than Covid-19.
- During Covid-19, the relief was further enhanced to ₹8.80 lakh for families of deceased employees.
Now, with the new order, the amount has been raised again — this time to EPFO Ex-Gratia Increase to ₹15 Lakh, marking the second major increase in just a few years.