The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced major changes to its withdrawal framework under EPFO 3.0, aimed at improving access, speed, and transparency for over seven crore members across India. The revised rules were approved during the 238th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, chaired by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
Under the new norms, members can withdraw up to 100% of their EPF balance, including both employee and employer contributions, subject to conditions. Thirteen earlier withdrawal rules have been consolidated into three broad categories—essential needs, housing needs, and special circumstances. Education withdrawals are now allowed up to 10 times and marriage withdrawals up to five times, with a minimum service period of 13 months for partial withdrawals. In special cases, members are not required to state reasons, though at least 25% of the balance must remain in the account.
The reforms also introduce automatic claim settlement under the Vishwas Scheme, reduced penal damages for delayed payments, and doorstep Digital Life Certificate services for pensioners.
Commenting on the update, Anoop C Nair, Head of HR at Indel Money, said the changes bring faster access, digital efficiency, and long-term retirement safeguards. While concerns remain around unemployment-linked withdrawal limits, the reforms are positioned as a balance between short-term needs and retirement security.
A recent Economic Times report highlights how choosing the right gold loan repayment method can significantly reduce the overall cost for borrowers. While gold loans are widely used for their quick disbursal and lower interest rates, repayment structure plays a major role in how much interest a customer finally pays.
The article explains three common gold loan repayment options—regular EMI, bullet repayment, and overdraft-style repayment. EMI-based repayment suits borrowers with steady monthly income, as both principal and interest are paid in fixed instalments. Bullet repayment allows customers to pay interest periodically or at maturity, with the principal settled at the end, making it useful for short-term needs. The overdraft method offers higher flexibility, as interest is charged only on the amount utilised, helping disciplined borrowers lower interest outgo.
The report advises borrowers to assess cash flow, income stability, and loan tenure before choosing a repayment plan. Paying interest on time and reducing principal early can also bring down the total cost.
For institutions like Indel Money, transparent repayment options and customer awareness are essential to responsible lending. The article reinforces that informed repayment choices help borrowers manage gold loans better while protecting their pledged assets.
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Kerala is witnessing a strong surge of homegrown companies preparing to enter the capital markets, signalling a new phase of growth for the state’s business ecosystem. Enterprises across sectors such as vertical SaaS, gold loans, spices, diagnostics and real estate are lining up initial public offerings worth an estimated ₹10,000–12,000 crore over the next one to five years.
Among the companies planning IPOs are IBS Software, Indel Money, Synthite Industries, DentCare and Veegaland Developers. Together, these listings are expected to bring significant long-term capital into Kerala-based businesses. Companies such as Agappe Diagnostics and SFO Technologies are also preparing for public listings in the coming years.
Indel Money is aiming to become Kerala’s first pure-play gold loan NBFC to go public since 1995. The company plans a ₹3,000 crore issue, aligned with its strategy to expand assets under management while retaining a strong focus on gold loans.
This new IPO pipeline reflects a shift in Kerala’s corporate landscape—from regionally focused businesses to professionally managed, scalable enterprises ready for national and global markets.
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