Central Provident Fund
Full Form of CPF
What is CPF?
The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is a statutory retirement savings scheme exclusively for employees of the central government and certain public sector undertakings in India. Established under the Provident Funds Act, 1925, it functions as a compulsory contributory fund where both the employee and the government contribute a fixed percentage of the basic salary and dearness allowance each month. The accumulated corpus, along with compound interest, is payable on superannuation, resignation, or in cases of specified contingencies like death or medical emergencies. CPF is distinct from the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), which covers private sector employees. It is primarily administered by the Central Government's Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare. In competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, and banking exams, questions on CPF often appear under schemes, allowances, and fiscal policies. Understanding CPF is crucial for aspirants targeting central government jobs, as it forms a key component of their post-retirement financial planning. The scheme also offers tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, making it a preferred investment avenue for government servants.
CPF का फुल फॉर्म
केंद्रीय भविष्य निधि
Example
As a central government employee, Mr. Sharma ensures a fixed portion of his salary goes towards his CPF account every month.