The second batch of the National Law University (NLU) Phase of the Induction Training Programme for Direct Recruit Enforcement Officers/Accounts Officers (EO/AO), Batch 2025 of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) commenced at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar on 6th April 2026.
The programme was formally inaugurated by Shri Kumar Rohit, Director, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS). The inaugural session was also attended by Shri Manoranjan Kumar, RPFC-I, PDUNASS; Prof. (Dr.) Girish R., Head, Academic Affairs & Professor of Law, GNLU; Dr. Hardik H. Parikh, Head, Training Division & Assistant Professor of Law, GNLU; and Shri Dinesh Kumar Mishra.
Addressing the trainee officers, Shri Kumar Rohit emphasised the importance of developing a strong legal and institutional understanding to enable officers to discharge their responsibilities effectively and with sensitivity. He called upon the officers to emerge as agents of positive change, aligned with the national objectives of Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Girish R. highlighted the significance of the rule of law in India’s constitutional framework and underscored the need for public officials to remain conscious of constitutional values while performing their duties. He stated that the training at GNLU would provide participants with exposure to important legal dimensions relevant to their future roles in public administration and regulatory functions.
Dr. Hardik H. Parikh, while underscoring the importance of rigorous training, remarked, “The more you sweat in training ground, less you bleed in battlefield,” emphasising that sustained preparation and conceptual clarity are indispensable for effective performance in the field. He assured the participants that GNLU would provide a sound, objective, and academically rigorous understanding of legal principles during the course of the NLU training phase.
The training programme covers key areas including the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the evolving landscape of social security law, and contemporary issues relating to compliance, adjudication, and enforcement.
In his address, Shri Manoranjan Kumar observed that the role of Enforcement Officers has undergone a significant transformation in line with the changing governance paradigm from a framework primarily centred on regulation and inspection to one increasingly anchored in facilitation, trust, and partnership.
He noted that Enforcement Officers today are expected not only to ensure statutory compliance, but also to serve as a vital link between the law and the people, combining legal vigilance with empathy, service orientation, and a citizen-centric approach. He urged the trainees to make the best use of the training opportunity and strive for excellence in their professional responsibilities.
Trainee officers from across the country are participating in the induction programme, reflecting the pan-India character and national footprint of EPFO.
During the programme, Shri Kumar Rohit also held an interactive session with the trainee officers, during which he listened to their feedback, queries, and expectations, and shared valuable insights drawn from his experience in social security administration and public service delivery.
The interaction provided an opportunity to address the concerns of the newly recruited officers and reaffirmed PDUNASS’s commitment to a participatory, responsive, and learner-centric training ecosystem aimed at nurturing future-ready public servants.
The Induction Training Programme for 262 Direct Recruit EO/AO officers, selected through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), has been designed as a comprehensive five-phase capacity-building initiative.
The training architecture has been designed to equip officers with the legal acumen, administrative competence, financial understanding, technological familiarity, and practical field exposure necessary for effective discharge of their responsibilities within EPFO.
About PDUNASS
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS) is the apex training institution of EPFO, under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. Established in the year 1990, the Academy is dedicated to training, research, and capacity building in the field of social security, with the vision of evolving into a centre of excellence of national and international repute.
