INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 18th July 2026.

Summary of Important News Items Editorials-403

INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 18th July 2026.

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1. EPFO 3.0 Reform: Towards Universal Pension Coverage

The Union Government is preparing a major reform of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) by introducing a contributory pension scheme covering both organised and unorganised sector workers. Unlike the existing Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), the proposed model will allow workers to build a retirement corpus through contributions from employees, employers, government support, gig-platform aggregators and even CSR contributions. At retirement, members may choose either an annuity or a systematic withdrawal plan. The proposal aims to provide flexibility, portability and wider social security coverage, especially to gig workers brought under the Code on Social Security. The government believes that India's ageing population and expanding informal workforce require a more sustainable pension architecture. The initiative reflects a shift from defined-benefit to defined-contribution systems while preserving financial security through government-backed investments. If implemented effectively, it could significantly strengthen India's social protection framework and improve old-age income security.

2. Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike and Democratic Accountability