For Prelims: Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Gratuity, National Health Mission (NHM)
For Mains: Polity: State Government and Administration; Society: Social Security and Welfare Schemes
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- NHM Uttar Pradesh approved EPF for contract workers earning over ₹15,000.
- Each contract employee and family gets ₹5 lakh health insurance cover.
- Gratuity on retirement is also approved for these contract employees.
- The decision followed an agitation by NHM contract workers' unions in October 2026.
- CM Yogi Adityanath also gave appointment letters to 1,146 junior assistants in November 2026.
The news
The governing council of the National Health Mission (NHM) Uttar Pradesh has approved gratuity and health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh for contract employees, and EPF benefits for those earning more than ₹15,000 per month. The decision, taken at a council meeting in November 2026, follows an agitation by the UP NHM Contract Employees Union and the Joint National Health Mission Employees Union in October, which was suspended after the government promised to consider their demands. The health department issued orders on Tuesday and began the process of implementation.
According to Mayank Pratap Singh, state president of the NHM Contract Employees Union, the EPF benefit will now be available to those earning over ₹15,000 in honorarium. Yogesh Upadhyay, state general secretary of the Joint National Health Mission Employees Union, said each employee and their family will get health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh. Departmental sources indicated that the health cover may be provided through private insurance companies under a separate scheme rather than directly under Ayushman Bharat. The council also approved gratuity on retirement for these contract workers.
Why in the news?
The NHM Uttar Pradesh governing council has approved health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh and gratuity for contract employees, and EPF for those earning over ₹15,000, following a union agitation in October 2026. This marks a significant social security expansion for a large informal workforce in the state's health sector.
What were the contract workers demanding?
Contract employees of NHM Uttar Pradesh had been demanding social security benefits for years. In October 2026, the UP NHM Contract Employees Union and the Joint National Health Mission Employees Union held an agitation, which was suspended after the government assured them their demands would be considered. The governing council meeting in November 2026 approved EPF, health insurance and gratuity.
How will the benefits be delivered?
The EPF benefit will apply to contract employees earning more than ₹15,000 per month, extending formal retirement savings to a segment previously excluded. The ₹5 lakh health insurance will cover each employee and their family, but department sources said it may be provided through private insurance companies under a different scheme rather than directly through Ayushman Bharat. The gratuity will be paid on retirement. The health department has started issuing orders and will need to enrol employees, select an insurance provider and set up EPF accounts.
Uttar Pradesh connection
Matters for these Uttar Pradesh exams:UPPSC
Facts and terms for exams
- Employees' Provident Fund (EPF):
- A mandatory retirement savings scheme under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, where both employer and employee contribute a percentage of the employee's basic pay.
- Gratuity:
- A lump-sum payment made by an employer to an employee as a token of appreciation for long service, governed by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
- National Health Mission (NHM):
- A flagship central government programme that provides healthcare services, especially in rural areas, and is implemented by state governments.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: UPPSC
Syllabus: Polity: State Government and Administration; Society: Social Security and Welfare Schemes
Common mistake: Examiners may swap 'contract employees' with 'permanent employees', or state that the EPF benefit applies to all NHM contract workers regardless of honorarium. The EPF benefit is specifically for those earning more than ₹15,000 per month.
Mains question
The extension of EPF, health insurance and gratuity to NHM contract workers in Uttar Pradesh addresses long-standing demands. Examine the challenges in extending formal social security to contract workers in public health programmes.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Contract workers in Uttar Pradesh's health mission will get health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh and a gratuity payment when they retire. Those paid more than ₹15,000 per month will also get EPF (retirement savings). The state government approved these benefits after the workers protested. The insurance may be provided by a private company.
- NHM Uttar Pradesh approved EPF for contract workers earning over ₹15,000.
- Each contract employee and family gets ₹5 lakh health insurance cover.
- Gratuity on retirement is also approved for these contract employees.
- The decision followed an agitation by NHM contract workers' unions in October 2026.
- CM Yogi Adityanath also gave appointment letters to 1,146 junior assistants in November 2026.
- Polity: State Government and Administration
- Society: Social Security and Welfare Schemes
Related concepts: Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Gratuity, National Health Mission (NHM)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which body approved EPF, health insurance, and gratuity benefits for contract employees earning over ₹15,000 in Uttar Pradesh?
Explanation: The governing council of NHM Uttar Pradesh approved these benefits in its meeting. The state cabinet or central ministry were not directly involved in this specific decision. EPFO is the implementing body for EPF, not the decision-maker here.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the NHM Uttar Pradesh decision:
- 1.All contract employees of NHM Uttar Pradesh will get EPF benefits.
- 2.The approved health insurance cover is ₹5 lakh per employee and their family.
- 3.The health insurance will be provided under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because EPF benefits are only for those earning more than ₹15,000 per month, not all contract employees. Statement 2 is correct as the approved health insurance cover is ₹5 lakh. Statement 3 is incorrect because the insurance may be provided through private companies under a different scheme, not Ayushman Bharat.
- Q3Medium
What is the minimum monthly honorarium threshold for NHM Uttar Pradesh contract employees to be eligible for the newly approved EPF benefits?
Explanation: The decision specifies that EPF benefits will be available to contract employees earning a monthly honorarium of more than ₹15,000.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of extending EPF and health insurance benefits to NHM Uttar Pradesh contract employees?
Explanation: The move aims to provide retirement savings (EPF), health cover, and gratuity to contract workers, bringing them into the formal social security net. It does not cut salaries or necessarily privatise insurance; the state may use private insurers for implementation.
Frequently asked questions
1. What benefits did NHM Uttar Pradesh approve for contract employees?
The NHM Uttar Pradesh governing council approved health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh and gratuity for contract employees, and EPF benefits for those earning more than ₹15,000 per month.
2. Who is eligible for the new EPF benefits under NHM Uttar Pradesh?
Contract employees of NHM Uttar Pradesh who receive a monthly honorarium of more than ₹15,000 are eligible for the EPF benefits.
3. When was this decision taken by NHM Uttar Pradesh?
The decision was taken in the governing council meeting of NHM Uttar Pradesh in November 2026.
All sources
- Original10 November 2026 · Read story
