28 SEP 2025
New Delhi, [Date of Event] – The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS) has successfully concluded a comprehensive three-week Orientation Training Programme for a cohort of newly promoted Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners (APFCs). The programme was designed to forge a new generation of EPFO leadership, instilling a unique blend of technical expertise, ethical fortitude, and empathetic public service.
The valedictory session was presided over by Shri Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC), who commended PDUNASS for its pivotal role in shaping officers who are prepared to lead with both knowledge and compassion.
A Curriculum for Modern Governance
Reflecting the evolving demands of public administration, the training curriculum was meticulously designed by Shri Kumar Rohit, Additional Central P.F. Commissioner (Hq) and Director, PDUNASS. It moved beyond traditional domain knowledge to incorporate critical behavioural and leadership modules. Key themes included ‘Customer-Centric Approach,’ ‘Ethics,’ ‘Landmark Court Judgments,’ and ‘Design Thinking.’
A trainee participant shared, “We are returning to our workplaces with renewed perspective and deeper insights gained through immersive classroom sessions and dynamic team-building activities.”
A flagship innovation of the programme was the introduction of a pioneering course on “Compassion in Governance,” conceptualized by Shri Sanjay Rai, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I. Shri Rohit highlighted that this is the first such course in India, marking a significant step in embedding empathy and emotional intelligence as core competencies for EPFO officers.
Leadership Emphasis on Core Values
In his address, Shri Krishnamurthi congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold EPFO’s core values of integrity, accountability, and empathy in their service to over 30 crore subscribers. He also released a series of booklets authored by the trainees, featuring book reviews, creative culinary initiatives under the “Delicious Initiative,” and reflections on outbound training.
The CPFC took the opportunity to highlight key technological advancements within the organization, including the rollout of the upgraded Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) system. The revamped platform, with advanced validations and automated compliance features, aims to reduce errors and streamline enforcement for employers.
Holistic Pedagogy and Recognition of Excellence
Shri Ram Anand, Regional P.F. Commissioner-I and Course Director, reported that a significant 50% of the curriculum was dedicated to behavioural and leadership development. Sessions were facilitated by esteemed faculty from premier institutions, including the National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad), National Law University (Delhi), and the V.V. Giri National Labour Institute.
The programme’s holistic approach included a four-day outbound training for experiential learning, weekly assessments, and engaging audio-visual modules. In a spirit of encouraging all-round excellence, awards were presented across various categories, from best classroom performance and contributions to the “Delicious Initiative” to achievements in sports and on the iGOT Karmayogi platform.
By blending cutting-edge pedagogical tools with a foundational emphasis on compassionate service, this orientation programme has effectively equipped the newly promoted APFCs with the vision and skills necessary to safeguard India’s social security framework and serve its workforce with renewed dedication.