UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — EPFO Launches “VISHWAS, 2026” for Amicable Settlement of Damages/Penalty/-Related Disputes

Q1. Under which one of the following statutory provisions of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 does EPFO levy damages for default in payment of provident fund contributions — the very levy that VISHWAS, 2026 allows to be settled at concessional rates?

  • A. Section 14B
  • B. Section 7Q
  • C. Section 7A
  • D. Section 5A

Q2. Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, which one of the following bodies is charged with administering the Employees' Provident Fund, the Pension Scheme and the Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme — the same body under whose provisions VISHWAS, 2026 operates?

  • A. Central Board of Trustees
  • B. Employees' State Insurance Corporation
  • C. National Social Security Board
  • D. State Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board

Q3. Consider the following statements mapping the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 onto the Code on Social Security, 2020: 1. Section 14B of the 1952 Act (damages) corresponds to Section 128 of the Code. 2. Section 7Q of the 1952 Act (interest) corresponds to Section 127 of the Code. 3. Under the Code, Section 127 provides for recovery of damages and Section 128 for levy of interest. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Section 14B of the 1952 Act (damages) corresponds to Section 128 of the Code.
  2. Section 7Q of the 1952 Act (interest) corresponds to Section 127 of the Code.
  3. Under the Code, Section 127 provides for recovery of damages and Section 128 for levy of interest.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. For how many months from the date of its notification will VISHWAS, 2026 remain operational as a window for employers to seek settlement?

  • A. Three months
  • B. Six months
  • C. Nine months
  • D. Twelve months

Q5. VISHWAS, 2026 was notified vide G.S.R. 525(E) under the administrative charge of which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Labour & Employment
  • B. Ministry of Finance
  • C. Ministry of Corporate Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Q6. The Central Board of Trustees, EPF — the apex body under whose statutory framework VISHWAS, 2026 functions — is chaired by which one of the following?

  • A. Union Minister for Labour & Employment
  • B. Central Provident Fund Commissioner
  • C. Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment
  • D. Union Minister for Finance

Q7. The Central Board of Trustees, EPF is a tripartite-plus-government body. Consider the following, said to be represented on it: 1. The Central Government 2. Employers 3. Employees 4. The Reserve Bank of India Which of the above is/are correctly identified as being represented on the Board?

  1. The Central Government
  2. Employers
  3. Employees
  4. The Reserve Bank of India
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. The Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Scheme, 2024 — the tax-dispute forerunner whose nomenclature EPFO's VISHWAS, 2026 echoes — is administered by which one of the following?

  • A. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
  • B. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
  • C. Central Board of Trustees, EPF
  • D. Office of the Central Provident Fund Commissioner

Q9. Consider the following statements about VISHWAS, 2026 and its stated objectives: 1. It aims to reduce litigation and promote voluntary compliance by employers while safeguarding the interests of employees. 2. It applies only to damages/penalty defaults pertaining to the period prior to 14 June 2024. 3. It waives, in full, the statutory interest otherwise payable by the defaulting employer. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It aims to reduce litigation and promote voluntary compliance by employers while safeguarding the interests of employees.
  2. It applies only to damages/penalty defaults pertaining to the period prior to 14 June 2024.
  3. It waives, in full, the statutory interest otherwise payable by the defaulting employer.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. VISHWAS, 2026 was notified as part of the EPF Scheme, 2026, and settlement applications under it are received and processed by which one of the following organisations?

  • A. Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
  • B. Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
  • C. Labour Bureau
  • D. Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI)