EPFO matter on NEEM trainees: Gujarat High Court hearing adjourned to November 30, 2026

Update on the EPFO matter involving TeamLease Skills University (TLSU).

Mon 28 Sep 2026

Case Number

Special Civil Application No. 7698 of 2026

Court

Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat

Next Hearing Date

November 30, 2026

EPFO Order Date

March 11, 2026

Current Status

Matter remains sub judice, stayed at notice stage as of September 22, 2026

What this update says

TeamLease Services has given a further update on the case involving TeamLease Skills University (TLSU) and the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

• The writ is Special Civil Application No. 7698 of 2026, titled M/s. TeamLease Skills University vs. Union of India & Ors., before the Hon'ble High Court of Gujarat.
• The matter was listed on September 22, 2026 and remained at the notice stage.
• The Court received the reply shared by the Respondents, and the matter was adjourned.
• Next hearing is listed for November 30, 2026.
• The Company received this update on September 25, 2026.

EPFO's stand

The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I, EPFO, Vadodara, shared an affidavit-in-reply on behalf of Respondent Nos. 4 and 5. In it, EPFO reiterated that trainees engaged under the National Employability Enhancement Mission (NEEM) framework fall within the definition of "employee" under Section 2(f) of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, and sought to justify the order dated 11 March 2026 passed by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner.

Company's position

TLSU strongly disagrees with the assertions in the affidavit and continues to pursue its legal remedies. It believes it has a strong case on merits and had challenged the underlying order through these writ proceedings.

How to read it

This is a procedural update rather than a decision. The core question, whether NEEM trainees must be covered under provident fund law, is still open and the matter is sub judice. Settlement details and any compensation or penalty were marked Not Applicable in the disclosure annexure.

The Company said it will keep the stock exchanges informed of any material developments. It also noted the intimation was received on Friday evening, so the disclosure was shared on Monday owing to the intervening non-working days.

Earlier steps in the same matter

• Hearing originally scheduled for August 07, 2026 was adjourned after EPFO's advocate sought extension to file its reply, and was listed for September 01, 2026.
• On September 01, 2026 the matter remained at notice stage and time was granted for appearance of the Respondents; it was listed for September 22, 2026.

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