Employer Stopped PF Deductions: Is This Legal and Can I Contribute on My Own?

I have been working at a private college since 2012 with a basic pay band of INR 15,600 to 39,000. Yesterday (07/02/2018), after receiving my salary, I discovered that the employer had not deducted my PF (employee's contribution of INR 1,800). The authority also informed me that they do not plan to deduct the PF (employees' contribution of INR 1,800) and, as a result, will not make the employer's contribution (INR 1,800).

Is it legal for my employer to take this step?

Can I personally continue contributing to my PF account if my employer refuses to deduct the employee's contribution and make the employer's contribution?

Dear Abhinandan,

You need to have a word with your management, as if PF is deducted once, then it needs to continue until the employee is in service. If your employer is not willing to listen, then you may approach the PF commissioner and complain about the same. They will help you in this regard. Secondly, the employer cannot stop the contribution; they can only restrict their contribution up to the ceiling value of Rs. 15,000/- basic.