Managing Your Universal Account Number (UAN): A Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining, Locating, and Activating Your EPF Account

The Universal Account Number (UAN) serves as a distinct identification for every employee, connecting all their Provident Fund (PF) accounts across various workplaces. This unique ID streamlines the administration, transfers, and withdrawals of PF funds. By integrating with Aadhaar, PAN, and banking information, UAN promotes transparency, expedites processing, and facilitates straightforward access to diverse Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) services via the UAN portal.

Understanding the Universal Account Number (UAN)

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) issues the Universal Account Number (UAN), a unique 12-digit identifier, which the Ministry of Labour then verifies. This number remains constant for an employee throughout their professional life, irrespective of job changes.

Whenever an employee switches jobs, EPFO assigns a new member ID (EPF account) that is linked to their existing UAN. This system simplifies the procedures for EPF transfers and withdrawals. By providing their UAN to a new employer, a new member ID is created and associated with it, making the UAN a central point for all EPF accounts held across different employment periods.

Steps to Obtain Your UAN

For individuals new to the workforce or recently registered under EPF, employers can initiate the UAN creation process. Employers can generate a UAN by following these steps:

Log in to the official EPF Employer Portal.
Navigate to the Member section and choose the "Register Individual" option.
Fill in the employee's essential details, including their date of birth, Permanent Account Number (PAN), Aadhaar number, and bank account information.
Review and approve the entered details within the Approval section.
Link the newly generated UAN with the employee's respective PF account.

Alternatively, employees can locate their UAN on their salary slips. It is also possible to retrieve it online through the EPFO UAN Member Portal, using their Aadhaar, PAN, or PF details.

Methods to Locate Your UAN

Several methods are available to help you find your UAN:

1. Through Your Employer

Upon commencing your first job, your employer will register you for the EPF scheme. The EPFO will then allocate a Universal Account Number and relay it to your employer. Consequently, you can request your UAN and member ID from your employer or the Human Resources department. However, only employers registered with PF can enroll you under EPF and issue a UAN.

2. Via Your Salary Slip

Typically, employers include the UAN on employees' monthly salary slips. You can refer to your salary slip provided by your employer or company to find your UAN.

3. Using the UAN Portal with PF Number/Member ID

If you cannot locate your UAN through your employer or salary slip, you can retrieve it via the UAN portal. Follow these steps:

Access the UAN/EPFO portal.
Click on the "Know your UAN" tab.
Enter your registered mobile number and the captcha code, then click "Request OTP". After receiving the One-Time Password, input it along with the captcha, and click "Validate OTP" to proceed.
You will be redirected to a page where you need to enter your name, date of birth, PAN/Aadhaar/member ID, and captcha for verification. Once all details are entered, click on the "Show my UAN" button.
Your UAN will then be displayed on the screen.

Online UAN Activation Process

To activate your UAN, you must have your Universal Account Number or PF member ID readily available. Here is how to activate your UAN on the EPFO portal:

Go to the UAN portal and click "Activate UAN" located under the "Important Links" section.
Select the UAN option, input your UAN, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, mobile number, and captcha code. Check the consent box and click the "Get Authorisation Pin" button.
A new screen will appear, displaying your entered details. Ensure all the information is accurate.
Next, you will need to click the "I Agree" checkbox. Enter the four-digit OTP received and click "Validate OTP and Activate UAN".
Once the OTP is successfully verified, your UAN will be activated.

Following UAN activation, a password will be sent to your registered mobile number, which you can use to log in to your account.

How to Link Aadhaar with Your UAN

Connecting your Aadhaar with your EPF account facilitates faster withdrawals and transfers. Employees can now complete Aadhaar seeding directly on the UAN portal. This process no longer requires employer approval if both Aadhaar and UAN are already verified.

Follow these steps to link your UAN with Aadhaar:

Sign in to the EPFO portal using your UAN, password, and captcha.
Under the "Manage" tab on the top navigation panel, click on "KYC".
Select the checkbox next to Aadhaar, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and name, then save the details.
After submission, your details will appear under the "Pending KYC" tab. Once your employer approves it, the details will move to the "Approved KYC" tab. (Approval typically takes about 15 days).

Downloading Your UAN Passbook

You can access and download your EPF passbook online through the official EPFO portal. To do this, you must be a registered member. Once registered, the passbook can be viewed and downloaded using these methods:

Through the EPFO Portal.
Via the UMANG App.

Resetting Your UAN Password

If you have forgotten your UAN password, you can easily reset it by following these steps:

Navigate to the UAN portal.
Select the "Forgot Password" option.
Enter your UAN and the displayed captcha details, then click "Submit".
Input your name, gender, and date of birth, and click "Verify".
Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha code, then click "Verify".
Once the details are validated, enter your mobile number in the provided box and click "Get OTP".
Enter the OTP received and click "Verify".
You can now set a new password by entering it twice in the designated fields. After inputting the new password, click "Submit" to confirm the change.

The password will be updated on the EPFO portal within a few hours.

Checking Your PF Balance with and Without UAN

Multiple options are available to check your PF balance, both with and without your UAN.

Members can check their PF balance using their UAN through the following methods:

Through the EPFO online Portal.
Via the UMANG App.

Members can check their PF balance without using a UAN through these methods:

Send an SMS to 7738299899 from your registered mobile number in the format 'EPFOHO UAN ENG'.
Give a missed call to 9966044425 from your registered mobile number.

How to Update Personal Details on the UAN Portal

An employee can modify or update personal information such as their name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID by logging into the UAN portal. However, it is crucial that the details to be updated align with the information on the Aadhaar card; otherwise, the changes will not be reflected on the UAN portal.

Updating your mobile number or email ID does not require employer approval; the update is processed immediately after OTP verification.

You can also add or update your bank details in EPFO. Nevertheless, your employer must digitally approve these details for your bank account to be linked to your UAN.

Advantages and Key Features of UAN

Some primary advantages and key features of the UAN include:

Unified Identity: Provides a single, universal identity that remains consistent throughout an employee’s career.
Centralized Management: All PF accounts from different jobs can be consolidated under one UAN, allowing EPFO to efficiently track job transitions.
Access to Online Services: Grants access to numerous online EPF services, such as UAN card download, viewing and downloading the PF passbook, and updating personal and KYC details.
Enhanced Transparency: Enables employees to monitor employer contributions, ensuring greater transparency.
Simplified Processes: Streamlines PF transfers and withdrawals through online procedures, offering real-time tracking.
Faster Verification: Linked to Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details, leading to quicker verification and processing of tax deduction claims.
E-Nomination Facility: Offers an online e-nomination feature for smooth settlement of funds.
Reduced Dependency: Decreases reliance on employers for various PF-related services.
Improved Security: Secures transactions and mitigates fraud risks through mandatory KYC verification.

Services Available on the UAN Portal

The EPFO UAN portal offers a range of services designed to help employees manage their PF accounts conveniently.

1. View Services

Profile: Allows viewing of personal details like UAN, name, date of birth, contact information, marital status, qualification, and address.
Service History: Displays all PF numbers created under a single UAN across different employers.
UAN Card: Enables downloading and printing of your UAN card.
EPF Passbook: Provides access to contribution specifics for EPF and Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), including amounts, dates, and total contributions.

2. Manage Services

Joint Declaration: Facilitates updating personal details (e.g., name, date of birth, gender) with employer approval.
Contact Details: Allows updating of mobile number and email address without requiring employer approval.
KYC: Used to complete or update Know Your Customer (KYC) details, including PAN, Aadhaar, bank account, and passport information.
E-Nomination: Provides functionality to add or manage nominees online.
Mark Exit: Used to update or correct the date of exit from an organization for PF withdrawal purposes.

3. Account Services

Change or reset your EPFO portal password.

4. Online Services

Claims: Enables applying for partial or full PF withdrawal after completing KYC (using Forms 31, 19, 10C, 10D).
One Member, One EPF Account: Allows transfer or merging of PF accounts once KYC is updated.
Track Claim Status: Provides the ability to check the status of EPF withdrawal or transfer requests.
Download Annexure K: This document is required for transferring PF from exempted to unexempted establishments.

Common Problems During UAN Activation

Here are some common issues users encounter when activating their UAN, along with potential solutions:

Mobile Number Mismatch: Activation may fail if the mobile number registered by your employer differs from the one you are currently using. Contact your Human Resources department to get it updated.
Peak Hour Slowdown: The portal might experience slow performance during peak usage hours. Consider attempting access during off-peak times, such as early morning or late evening.
Name Discrepancy: Differences between your Aadhaar name and the name registered by your employer can cause activation problems. Ensure your employer updates your details to precisely match your Aadhaar information.

UAN Customer Support Information

Each PF regional office offers customer support and maintains a distinct customer care number for user queries or assistance. For UAN or KYC services, you can contact 1800118005.

The UAN Helpdesk Email ID is employeefeedback@epfindia.gov.in.