The Central Government has directed the Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) through the Ministry of Labor to implement Aadhaar-based OTP (One-Time Password) for activating the Universal Account Number (UAN) of employees.
This step is aimed at simplifying access to EPFO’s online services. Once the UAN is activated using the OTP, employees can conveniently utilize EPFO’s extensive digital facilities.
EPFO to Work in Campaign Mode
To ensure the success of the Employee Linked Scheme (ELI) announced in the Union Budget 2025, the Ministry of Labor has instructed EPFO to adopt a campaign mode for activating employees’ UANs. This initiative will benefit both employers and employees by making the process seamless.
Benefits of OTP-Based UAN Activation
Using Aadhaar-based OTP for UAN activation enables employees to manage their provident fund accounts effectively. It allows them to:
1) Download PF passbooks.
2) Update personal information.
3) File online claims for withdrawals, advances, and fund transfers in real-time.
24/7 Access to EPFO Services
With this system, employees can access EPFO services 24 hours a day from their homes, eliminating the need to visit EPFO offices in person.
EPFO will roll out the initiative through its zonal and regional offices. In the second phase, biometric authentication using face recognition will also be introduced for UAN activation.
Steps to Activate UAN Using Aadhaar-Based OTP
Employees can activate their UAN by following these steps:
1) Visit the EPFO member portal.
2) Click on “Activate UAN” under the Important Links section.
Enter the following details:
1) UAN
2) Aadhaar number
3) Name and date of birth
4) Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
5) Agree to Aadhaar OTP validation.
6) Click on “Get Authorization PIN” to receive the OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
7) Enter the OTP to complete the activation process.
Once activation is successful, a password will be sent to the registered mobile number, enabling access to EPFO’s complete range of digital services.
Benefits of OTP-Based UAN Activation
With OTP-based UAN activation, employees can manage their Provident Fund (PF) accounts more efficiently.
They can download PF passbooks, update personal details, and file online claims for withdrawals, advances, and fund transfers.
Additionally, employees can update their claims in real time. This system gives employees 24/7 access to EPFO services from the comfort of their homes, removing the need to visit EPFO offices.
