Who is eligible to make contributions to the EPF?

The eligibility to make contributions to the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) primarily includes all salaried employees, which encompasses those in the public and private sectors, as well as certain self-employed individuals who meet specific criteria. This inclusivity allows a broader range of workers to benefit from the savings and retirement provisions offered by the EPF.

Salaried employees typically contribute a fixed percentage of their monthly salaries towards their EPF accounts, which the employer also matches. For self-employed individuals, eligibility to contribute to the EPF depends on their income level and adherence to the contribution regulations set by the EPF governing body. This ensures that even those who are not traditional employees can secure their financial future through this savings scheme.

The other choices incorrectly limit the eligibility. For example, stating that only public sector employees are eligible excludes a significant portion of the workforce, including private sector employees and qualifying self-employed individuals. Similarly, restricting eligibility solely to self-employed individuals or those with permanent contracts would overlook many workers who do not fit these narrow definitions but can still benefit from contributions to the EPF.