EPFO members will now have to follow a new process to activate their Universal Account Number (UAN).
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has removed the UAN activation option from its Unified Member Portal after a system update in June.
But don’t worry. You can still activate your UAN easily through the UMANG app using Aadhaar-based face authentication.
UAN Activation Now Available on UMANG App
The government’s UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app is now the main platform for UAN activation.
Using Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology (FAT), members can activate their UAN directly from their smartphone.
The UMANG app also offers several other PF-related services, including:
UAN allotment and activation
Single-service UAN activation
Face authentication for an already activated UAN
PF-related FAQs
Account details through SMS
Account details through a missed call
This means members can handle several basic PF services without regularly logging into the EPFO portal.
Which Services Are Still Available on the EPFO Portal?
While UAN activation has moved to UMANG, several important services continue to work on the EPFO website.
For example, members can still track the status of pension applications related to higher wages.
If you have an old PF account but never received a UAN, you can also verify your mobile number on the EPFO portal and generate a UAN by entering the required details.
Forgot your UAN? There is a solution for that too. You can retrieve it using your registered mobile number, identity or address proof and an OTP.
Death Claims Can Still Be Filed Online
The EPFO portal continues to allow nominees or legal heirs to file death claims, including pension-related claims.
The beneficiary needs an Aadhaar-linked active mobile number and valid bank account details.
Some documents are also required, including:
Death certificate of the deceased member
Cancelled cheque or bank passbook copy of the beneficiary
Proof of the beneficiary’s date of birth
The documents must be uploaded in PDF format, and each file should not be larger than 2 MB.
The file name should also not contain spaces.
Why Did EPFO Move UAN Activation to UMANG?
The change follows a major system migration that affected both the EPFO portal and UMANG app in the last week of June.
The upgrade was aimed at making PF services faster, more secure and easier to access.
So, if you are trying to activate your UAN and cannot find the option on the EPFO portal, there is no need to panic.
Simply use the UMANG app for UAN activation.