The inaugural Executive Development Program on Labour Law and Social Security Compliance (EPFO at Core) concluded on September 14, 2026, at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) in Gandhinagar. This three-month hybrid program was jointly developed by GNLU and the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS), the apex training academy of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), and brought together 60 industry practitioners for rigorous learning, practical case studies, and written assessments.
The program was conceptualized by Shri Kumar Rohit, Additional Central PF Commissioner (HQ) and Director of PDUNASS, to address the persistent gap between classroom theory and practical enterprise compliance. The initiative aims to foster a cultural shift in corporate governance from defensive and reactive compliance to informed and ethical compliance. The vision was realized through collaboration with Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director of GNLU, with administrative support from Dr. Nitin Malik, Registrar of GNLU.
A key feature was the dynamic curriculum designed to respond to statutory reforms, technological advancements, and changing workplace environments. During the inaugural cycle, the curriculum was updated in real time to incorporate transition mechanisms under the Code on Social Security 2020, revised EPF, EPS and EDLI scheme frameworks, and operational practices aligned with live EPFO digital portal workflows.
The program launched on May 29, 2026, commenced on June 5, and featured 23 interactive evening sessions led by 16 senior resource persons including EPFO policymakers and legal academics. It culminated in a four-day campus immersion at GNLU from September 9 to 12, featuring practical compliance case studies and formal written evaluations.
The valedictory ceremony was chaired by Dr. Justice K. J. Thakar, Former Judge of the High Courts of Gujarat and Allahabad and Chairperson of the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission, who highlighted the constitutional and human dimensions of social welfare and commended the joint institutional initiative. Senior officers in attendance included Shri Sudeepta Ghosh, Additional CPFC (Gujarat), and Shri Manoranjan Kumar, RPFC-I, PDUNASS, with Dr. Hardik Parikh presenting the program report outlining pedagogical outcomes and participant performance.
Due to strong nationwide response, PDUNASS and GNLU announced that admissions for the second batch will open shortly.