PFAM Program 2025-26

In a historic milestone, Shri Vivekanand Gupta, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, has been selected to represent India and the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in the prestigious PFAM Program 2025–26. This elite program is jointly organized by the World Bank and the Milken Institute, and hosted at Bayes Business School, City, University of London.

For the first time, an EPFO officer has been chosen for this global leadership initiative, marking India’s first participation in the PFAM Program 2025–26 and highlighting the country’s growing prominence in public financial governance.

About the PFAM Program 2025–26

The Public Financial Asset Management (PFAM) Program 2025–26 is a globally acclaimed leadership development initiative designed to enhance the capabilities of senior financial professionals.

The 2025–26 cohort includes:

• 16 participants from 13 countries

• 11 representatives from Central Banks

• 3 from Sovereign Wealth Funds

• 2 from major Pension Funds

The program offers advanced training in:

• Capital market operations

• Strategic long-term asset management

• Governance frameworks for public institutions

This asset management training equips participants with modern tools and frameworks for managing public funds efficiently. For EPFO, this international exposure is a significant step toward adopting global best practices in retirement and pension fund management.

PDUNASS Leads India’s Global Leap

The nomination of Shri Vivekanand Gupta was facilitated through the rigorous selection process by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS)—EPFO’s apex training institution. By recommending Shri Gupta for this PFAM Program 2025–26 India initiative, PDUNASS has ensured India’s representation in a high-level World Bank PFAM initiative.

Through this recognition, EPFO can now:

• Benchmark its practices with global standards (EPFO international recognition through PFAM)

• Explore innovative strategies for long-term fund sustainability

• Strengthen governance and transparency in financial operations

This also sets a precedent for future collaborations with international institutions in areas such as capital markets, public investment governance, and strategic asset management.

Significance for EPFO and India

With a corpus exceeding ₹25 lakh crore, EPFO is one of the largest social security institutions in the world. The participation in the PFAM Program 2025–26 World Bank Milken Institute initiative helps:

1. Improve asset management practices

2. Integrate global governance standards

3. Enhance returns on retirement savings

4. Foster transparency, accountability, and innovation

For SSC aspirants, this achievement is noteworthy as it reflects India’s growing presence in global financial leadership and the country’s commitment to capacity building in public sector institutions.

Shri Vivekanand Gupta: India’s First Representative

Shri Gupta’s selection as the first-ever EPFO officer in the PFAM Program 2025–26 is a historic achievement. This opportunity places him among a global network of top-tier financial professionals and institutions, facilitating exposure to global leadership programs in public financial asset management.

His participation is expected to benefit millions of Indian workers by improving institutional practices, modernizing asset management strategies, and adopting international standards.

Key Takeaways for SSC Aspirants

• Selected Officer: Shri Vivekanand Gupta, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner

• Program: PFAM Program 2025–26

• Organizers: World Bank and Milken Institute

• Host Institute: Bayes Business School, City, University of London

• Representation: 11 from Central Banks, 3 from Sovereign Wealth Funds, 2 from major Pension Funds

• India’s First Participation: Yes

• Benefits for EPFO: Global benchmarking, improved asset management, enhanced transparency, and adoption of international best practices

Why It Matters for Current Affairs

For SSC aspirants, the PFAM Program 2025–26 is a crucial topic under national and international achievements, public financial governance, and leadership in social security organizations.

Understanding such global initiatives is important not only for current affairs sections but also for topics like Indian institutions’ global presence, financial governance, and capacity-building programs.

Final Thoughts

Shri Vivekanand Gupta, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, has been selected to represent India and the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in the prestigious PFAM Program 2025–26, organized jointly by the World Bank and the Milken Institute, and hosted at Bayes Business School, City, University of London. This marks India’s first participation in the PFAM Program 2025–26 and the first-ever representation from EPFO.

The program focuses on advanced training in capital market operations, strategic long-term asset management, and governance frameworks for public institutions, providing a platform for global learning. Facilitated by PDUNASS, this opportunity enhances EPFO’s international recognition through PFAM and strengthens India’s presence in public financial leadership.

With this achievement, EPFO can benchmark practices globally, adopt international best practices, and improve transparency and accountability in managing retirement funds.