Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana 2026 - ABRY Yojana

Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY) was launched by the Government of India in October 2020 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package to boost employment generation during the COVID-19 recovery period. The scheme aimed to encourage employers to create new jobs and re-employ workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic. Under ABRY, the Central Government provided financial support by paying EPF contributions for eligible new employees working in EPFO-registered establishments. Employees earning less than Rs.15,000 per month were eligible for benefits for up to two years. The scheme helped reduce the financial burden on employers and promoted formal sector employment across India.

ABRY Yojana Overview

• Scheme Name: Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY)
• Launch Year: 2020
• Announced By: Government of India
• Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment
• Implementing Agency: EPFO
• Objective: Employment generation and social security support
• Benefit Type: EPF contribution support
• Target Group: New employees and employers

Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana Objective

The main objectives of ABRY were:

To encourage companies to hire new employees
To support workers who lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic
To increase employment in the formal sector
To reduce the financial burden on employers
To provide social security benefits through EPF coverage

Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana Eligibility Criteria

For Employees -

• Monthly salary must be below Rs.15,000
• Must not have had an EPF account before 1 October 2020, or
• Employees who lost jobs between March 2020 and September 2020 were also eligible

For Employers -

• Establishment must be registered with EPFO
• Must hire new employees under the scheme conditions
• Firms had to increase employee count compared to September 2020 records

Government Contribution Under ABRY -

• Establishments with up to 1000 employees received both employee and employer EPF contributions (24% of wages)
• Establishments with more than 1000 employees received only employee EPF contribution (12% of wages)

Impact of Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana 2026 

This project has successfully exceeded its employment generation targets and has benefited millions of workers and enterprises across the country. It has played a pivotal role in post-pandemic employment recovery and in strengthening the formal employment sector.

How ABRY Yojana Worked 

1. Employer registered employees through EPFO
2. Eligible employee details were verified
3. Government credited EPF contribution directly to EPFO accounts
4. Benefits continued for 24 months
5. Employees received social security benefits through EPF coverage

Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana 2026 - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1. Who implemented ABRY?

• Answer: The scheme was implemented through EPFO under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

Q2. What salary limit was fixed under ABRY?

• Answer: Employees earning less than Rs.15,000 per month were eligible.

Q3. How long were benefits available?

• Answer: Benefits were available for 24 months from employee registration.

Q4. Was the scheme extended?

• Answer: Yes, the registration deadline was extended till 31 March 2022.