ELI Scheme 2025: First Job? Modi Government Will Reward You with ₹15,000

Are you stepping into your first formal job? The Government of India has launched the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, a transformative move aimed at empowering India’s youth and boosting formal employment.

Starting August 1, 2025, the ELI Scheme will offer ₹15,000 direct benefit to first-time job seekers and incentives to employers for creating new jobs — a win-win for both sides.

At a Glance: What is the ELI Scheme?

The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme is a flagship employment initiative under the ₹2 lakh crore employment package introduced in the Union Budget 2024–25.

Key Objectives:

• Provide ₹15,000 to first-time employees joining the formal workforce.
   
• Offer monthly financial incentives to employers for hiring new EPFO-registered staff.
   
• Promote EPFO enrollment and formalization of jobs, especially in MSMEs and the manufacturing sector.
   

Launch Date: August 1, 2025
Scheme Duration: August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2027
Allocated Budget: ₹1.07 lakh crore
Target Beneficiaries: Over 1.92 crore youth

What’s in it for First-Time Employees?

Eligibility Criteria:

To claim the ₹15,000 benefit, you must:

1. Be a first-time jobholder (not previously registered under EPFO).
    
2. Join formal employment between Aug 1, 2025 and July 31, 2027.
    
3. Stay continuously employed for 12 months.
    
4. Complete a Government-approved Financial Literacy Program.
    

 If you started your job before August 1 but were not EPFO-registered, you may still qualify if EPFO enrollment happens after that date.

How Will You Receive ₹15,000?

The incentive is disbursed in two stages:

Installment	Condition	Amount
1st	After 6 months of continuous employment	Up to 50% of benefit
2nd	After 12 months + completion of financial literacy course	Remaining benefit

Note: The benefit is up to one month’s salary or ₹15,000, whichever is lower, directly credited to your bank account.

Benefits for Employers: Hire Fresh Talent, Get Paid

Companies registered with EPFO that hire new employees under the ELI scheme will also receive monthly incentives for up to 2 years per employee.

Incentive Slabs:

Employee Salary	Incentive per Month
₹0 – ₹10,000	₹1,000
₹10,001 – ₹20,000	₹2,000
₹20,001 – ₹1,00,000	₹3,000

Conditions for Employers:

• Companies with less than 50 employees must hire at least 2 new staff.
   
• Companies with 50+ employees must hire minimum 5 new staff.
   
• Each hired employee must complete at least 6 months in service.
   
• Employers must register and validate new hires via the EPFO portal.
   

Why ELI Scheme Is a Game-Changer

For Employees:

• Encourages formal workforce entry with financial handholding.
   
• Builds long-term social security via EPFO registration.
   
• Incentivizes financial discipline through mandatory literacy training.
   

For Employers:

• Reduces hiring cost for MSMEs and startups.
   
• Strengthens job formalization and payroll growth.
   
• Offers sustainable support for human resource expansion.
   

Real-Life Example

Ravi, a 23-year-old B.Com graduate, joins a company on August 10, 2025, with a monthly salary of ₹12,000. He gets enrolled under EPFO for the first time.

• He completes 6 months → receives ₹6,000 as 1st installment.
   
• After 12 months and completing the financial literacy course → gets ₹6,000 more.
   
• His employer also earns ₹2,000/month for 12 months = ₹24,000 as a hiring incentive.
   

Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead, Act Fast

The ELI Scheme is one of the most youth-focused employment reforms rolled out by the Modi government. It rewards young Indians for joining the formal workforce and supports businesses that drive real employment.

Whether you're:

• A job seeker looking to maximize your first job opportunity, or
   
• An entrepreneur or SME owner aiming to scale operations sustainably…
   

…the ELI Scheme is your opportunity to earn, save, and grow with support from the government.

Action Checklist for Job Seekers:

1. Keep your Aadhaar and PAN updated.
    
2. Ensure your employer registers you with EPFO.
    
3. Ask for details about the financial literacy course.
    
4. Track your employment milestones (6 months, 12 months).
    
5. Keep your bank account active for direct credit.