The Universal Account Number (UAN) is essential for EPF account holders, enabling them to manage Employee Provident Fund (EPF) services online. Using the UAN to log into the EPFO portal, you can easily access services such as PF withdrawal, checking your EPF balance, and applying for PF loans. This article provides comprehensive information about the Universal Account Number.
What Is UAN?
The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique 12-digit number assigned to every employee who contributes to the EPF. Generated and allocated by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and authenticated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, the UAN remains constant throughout an employee’s career, regardless of job changes.
When an employee changes jobs, the EPFO assigns a new member identification number (EPF Account ID) linked to the UAN. Employees can request a new member ID by submitting their UAN to their new employer. Once created, this member ID is related to the employee’s UAN, which serves as an overarching identifier for multiple member IDs from different employers.
The UAN is portable and remains unchanged throughout an employee’s life. With each job switch, a new member ID is issued and linked to the UAN, simplifying the process of EPF transfers and withdrawals.
Features of UAN
The Universal Account Number (UAN) centralizes employee data across the country, significantly reducing the burden of employee verification on companies and employers. It aids the EPFO in tracking multiple employee job changes and has led to a notable decrease in untimely and early EPF withdrawals.
The UAN enables access to various PF e-services, including:
- Viewing and downloading the PF passbook.
- Obtaining details about organizations, such as the organization name, date of joining, and Employee’s Pension Scheme (EPS) information.
- Downloading the UAN card.
- Updating KYC details.
- Updating basic information.
- Applying for PF or EPS withdrawals.
- Merging two member IDs.
- Tracking the status of EPF claims.
How to Obtain UAN for EPF?
Employers with 20 or more employees are required to register with the EPFO. If an employee already has a UAN assigned by a previous employer, they should provide these details to their new employer. For employees joining the workforce for the first time, the employer must generate a UAN. Here are the steps an employer should follow to generate a new UAN for an employee:
- Sign in to the Employer’s EPF Portal using the username and password.
- Click the ‘Register Individual’ tab in the’ Member’ section.
- Enter the employee’s details, including Aadhaar, PAN, and bank information.
- Approve all details in the ‘Approval’ section.
Once these steps are completed, the EPFO generates a new UAN for the employee, which the employer can link to the employee’s PF account.
How to Know Your UAN?
Through your employer
When you start your first job, your employer will enroll you in the EPF, and the EPFO will allocate a Universal Account Number (UAN), which will be communicated to your employer. You can obtain your UAN and member ID from your employer or HR department. Only PF-registered employers can enroll you in the EPF and issue a UAN.
Through Salary Slip
Employers typically include the UAN on employees’ salary slips. You can find your UAN by checking your salary slip.
Through the UAN Portal Using PF Number/Member ID
If you cannot obtain your UAN from your employer or salary slip, you can retrieve it through the UAN portal by following these steps:
- Visit the UAN/EPFO portal.
- Click on the tab ‘Know your UAN.’ The following page will appear.
- Enter your registered mobile number and captcha for verification. Click on the ‘Request OTP’ button. Enter the OTP and captcha code and click the ‘Validate OTP’ button.
- Enter your name, date of birth, PAN/Aadhaar/member ID, and captcha for verification. After entering all the details, click the ‘Show my UAN’ button.
- Your UAN number will be displayed on the screen.
How to Activate UAN Online?
To activate your UAN, you will need your Universal Account Number or PF member ID. Follow these steps to activate your UAN on the EPFO portal:
- Go to the UAN portal and click ‘Activate UAN’ under the ‘Important Links’ heading.
- Select the UAN option, enter your UAN, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, mobile number, and captcha code, tick the consent box, and click on the ‘Get Authorisation Pin’ button.
- Verify your details: A new screen will display your details. Ensure all information is correct.
- Agree and validate: Click on the ‘I Agree’ checkbox. Enter the four-digit OTP sent to your mobile and click on ‘Validate OTP and Activate UAN.’
- Activation complete: Once the OTP is verified, your UAN will be activated.
After activation, you will receive a password on your registered mobile number, which you can use to log in to your account.
How to Login to the EPFO Portal using UAN?
To log in to the EPFO or UAN portal and access online PF services after activating your UAN, follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the EPFO/UAN portal.
Step 2: Enter your UAN and the password you received on your registered mobile number.
Step 3: Enter the captcha code displayed on the screen.
Step 4: Click on ‘Sign In.’
Once you have successfully logged in, you can manage your PF account and access various online services EPFO provides. If you need to reset your password after logging in, you can find an option within your account settings.
How to Reset Your UAN Password?
To reset your UAN password on the EPFO portal, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the UAN portal.
- Choose the ‘Forgot Password’ option.
- Enter your UAN and the displayed captcha details. Click on the ‘Submit’ button.
- Verify your details: Enter your name, gender, and date of birth, then click on ‘Verify.’
- Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha code. Click on ‘Verify’.
- OTP verification: Enter the mobile number where you will receive an OTP. Click on ‘Get OTP’.
- Enter OTP: Check your mobile for the OTP, enter it in the provided field, and click ‘Verify.’
- Change password: Enter your new password twice in the provided boxes. Click on ‘Submit’.
Your password will now be updated to access your EPFO account.
How to Download UAN Card Online
To download your UAN card from the EPFO portal, follow these steps:
- Log into the EPFO portal:
- Enter your UAN and password on the EPFO portal login page.
- Navigate to the UAN Card section:
- Once logged in, go to the ‘View’ tab.
- Select ‘UAN Card’:
- Look for the option to view your UAN card under the ‘View’ tab.
- Download your UAN Card:
- On the UAN card page, a ‘Download’ option should be displayed on the top right-hand side of your screen.
- Save the UAN Card:
- Click on the ‘Download’ option to save the UAN card to your device.
Following these steps will allow you to download your UAN card easily from the EPFO portal.
PF Balance Check without UAN Number
To check your PF balance without using your UAN number, you can use the following methods:
PF Balance Check by Missed Call:
- From your registered mobile number, give a missed call to 9966044425.
- You will receive a text message with your EPF balance details.
PF Balance Check by Sending an SMS:
- Send an SMS in the format EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899.
- Replace UAN with your personal UAN number.
- Replace ENG with the first three letters of your preferred language (e.g., ENG for English, HIN for Hindi).
Example: If your UAN is 123456789012 and you prefer English, send EPFOHO 123456789012 ENG to 7738299899.
These methods allow you to conveniently check your PF balance without needing your UAN number.
How to Link Aadhaar With UAN?
To link your UAN with Aadhaar on the EPFO portal, follow these steps:
Linking UAN with Aadhaar:
- Visit the EPFO portal:
- Go to the official EPFO website.
- Sign in to your account:
- Enter your UAN, password, and captcha to log in.
- Navigate to the KYC section:
- Click ‘KYC’ under the ‘Manage’ tab on the top panel.
- Add Aadhaar details:
- Tick the checkbox next to Aadhaar.
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and your name as per Aadhaar.
- Save the details.
- Submit for approval:
- After submitting, your Aadhaar details will appear under the ‘Pending KYC’ tab.
- Your employer needs to approve and verify these details.
- Once approved, it will move to the ‘Approved KYC’ tab. This approval process typically takes around 15 days.
Linking your Aadhaar to your EPF account facilitates faster processing of withdrawals and transfers. Ensure your employer verifies and approves your Aadhaar KYC details on the EPFO portal.
How do you change/update personal details in the UAN portal?
Employees can modify or revise their personal information, including their name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID, through access to the UAN portal. However, any updates must precisely correspond with the information recorded on their Aadhaar card; otherwise, the changes will not be processed on the UAN portal. Notably, approval from the employer is mandatory for any alterations to the name or date of birth.
Change/update name and date of birth on the UAN portal
Below are the steps to update your name and date of birth on the UAN portal:
- Visit the UAN Portal.
- Log in using your UAN number, password, and captcha code. Click on the ‘Sign In’ button.
- Navigate to the ‘Manage’ tab and select the ‘Joint Declaration’ option.
- Choose your member ID and click ‘Get Details.’
- Your current details will appear. Click on the pen icon under the ‘Changes Requested’ column to update your name, date of birth, gender, father/mother’s name, relationship status, marital status, and nationality. Tick the consent for joint declaration and click ‘Proceed.’
- Upload the necessary documents and click ‘Proceed’ again. Review and submit your application for changes.
- A message confirming ‘Pending approval by Employer’ will be displayed.
- Contact your employer and request approval for your changes.
- Once your employer approves, the EPFO office will finalize and update your details on the UAN portal, including your name and date of birth.
Change/update mobile number and e-mail ID on the UAN portal.
Here is a professionally rewritten version of the steps to update the mobile number and email ID on the UAN portal:
- Navigate to the UAN Portal.
- Log in with your UAN number, password, and captcha code, then click ‘Sign In.’
- Go to the ‘Manage’ tab and select ‘Contact Details’.
- Choose ‘Change Mobile Number’ or ‘Change Email ID’.
- Enter your new mobile number or email ID twice as prompted. Click ‘Get Mobile OTP’ or ‘Get Authorization Pin’.
- Once you receive the OTP on your new mobile number, enter it and click ‘Submit.’ Your updated mobile number or email ID will be confirmed on the EPFO portal.
How do you update your mobile number when you have forgotten your password?
Here is a revised version of the steps for resetting your password and updating your mobile number on the UAN portal:
- Go to the UAN Portal.
- Click on ‘Forgot Password’.
- Enter your UAN and the displayed captcha, then click ‘Submit.’
- Provide your name, gender, and date of birth, then click ‘Verify’.
- Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha, and click ‘Verify.’
- Once validated, enter your new Aadhaar-linked mobile number and click ‘Get OTP.’
- Enter the OTP sent to your new mobile number and click ‘Verify.’
- You will be prompted to set a new password. Enter it twice and click ‘Submit’ to update your mobile number and password on the EPFO portal.
Advantages of UAN to Employees
Here’s a streamlined and professional rephrasing of the provided information:
- Every new PF account created upon joining a new job or company is consolidated under a single account.
- With the UAN, withdrawing PF funds—either fully or partially—can be quickly done online.
- You can view the PF balance of all your EPF accounts in one place.
- Access and download your EPF passbook online, containing EPF and EPS contributions and PF interest credit details.
- Online facilities allow you to transfer or merge old EPF accounts into your current EPF account.
- Download your PF statement conveniently from anywhere online.
- Check your EPFO claim status online by logging into the EPF member portal using your UAN.
UAN Portal Services
View Service
EPF account holders can access information related to their EPF accounts through this service.
Profile
Under the ‘View’ tab, clicking on ‘Profile’ allows EPF account holders to view the following details:
- UAN Number
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Father’s/Husband’s Name
- Mobile Number
- Email ID
- International Worker Status
- Qualification
- Marital Status
- Current and Permanent Address
- Differently Abled Status
Service History
EPF account holders can track their service history, including details of PF numbers created under the same UAN when changing organizations. This information can be accessed under the ‘Service History’ option in the ‘View’ tab.
UAN Card Download
EPF account holders can view and download their UAN card by selecting the ‘UAN Card’ option.
EPF Passbook
By clicking on the ‘EPF Passbook, ‘ users can enter their UAN, password, and captcha code to access a detailed statement. This passbook includes contributions to EPF and EPS, dates of contributions, and total amounts.
Manage Service
EPF account holders can update their PF details through the ‘Manage’ tab.
Joint Declaration
To update personal details like name, date of birth, gender, parent’s name, relationship status, marital status, and nationality in the PF account, employees must submit a joint declaration with their employer. The employer’s approval is necessary before the EPFO can update these details.
Contact Details
Employees can update their mobile number and email ID associated with the PF account directly through the ‘Contact Details’ option under the ‘Manage’ tab. Employer approval is not required for these changes and is processed immediately upon EPFO approval.
KYC
Under the ‘KYC’ option, EPF account holders can complete their KYC details online, including bank account information, PAN number, and Passport details.
E-Nomination
EPF account holders can add nominees to their PF accounts online by selecting the ‘E-Nomination’ option and providing the necessary details.
Mark Exit
Employees can update their exit date— the date they leave an organization— through the ‘Mark Exit’ option under the ‘Manage’ tab. This data is crucial for PF withdrawal purposes.
These options provide convenient online management of EPF accounts, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in personal and account details.
Account
EPF account holders can change their EPFO portal password by selecting the ‘Password’ option under the ‘Account’ tab.
Online Services
Claim (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D)
Through this option, employees can apply for partial or full withdrawal of PF funds online. However, completing KYC is mandatory before initiating a PF withdrawal.
One Member One EPF Account (Transfer Request)
This option allows employees to transfer and consolidate their multiple PF accounts into one. It is advisable to update KYC details before initiating a transfer request.
Track EPF Claim Status
After applying for an EPF withdrawal claim, employees can track their status through this option.
Download Annexure K
To transfer PF funds from an exempted to an unexempted establishment, employees must fill out Annexure K. They can download the Annexure K form through this option.
These services streamline PF management tasks, ensuring efficient processing and tracking of claims and account details.
UAN Customer Care Number
- Customer Care Number Details of EPFO Regional Offices: Click here to find contact details for EPFO regional offices.
- UAN Helpdesk Email ID: employeefeedback@epfindia.gov.in
Related Content:
- Aadhar PAN Link
- UIDAI
- Income Tax Guide
- ITR Filing Due Dates
- ITR-U Form
- SIP Calculator
- PF Claim Status
- How to Find PF Account Number
- PF Balance Check
- PF Transfer – Online Form and Procedure
- Employee Provident Fund Organisation
- Income Tax Customer Care
- Income Tax
- SIP Calculator
- PF Calculator
- PF Withdrawal
- EPF Payment Online
These resources cover various topics related to EPFO, income tax, and financial planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UAN (Universal Account Number)?
UAN is a unique 12-digit identification number assigned to every contributing member of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) scheme.
Who allocates the UAN?
The UAN is allocated by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) upon an employee’s registration under the EPF scheme.
Can I have multiple UANs?
No, employees are allotted only one UAN for their entire career, which remains unchanged across different employers.
Is UAN mandatory for EPF members?
UAN is mandatory for all EPF members as it simplifies the management and tracking of PF contributions and withdrawals.
How does UAN benefit employees?
UAN facilitates easy transfer of PF balances between employers and online withdrawal of PF and provides regular updates on PF contributions.
How can I obtain my UAN?
You can obtain your UAN from your employer or check it online through the EPFO portal using your details.
Is UAN linked with Aadhaar?
UAN can be linked with Aadhaar for verification purposes, simplifying KYC requirements for EPF accounts.
Can I update personal details linked to my UAN?
Yes, after employer verification, you can update personal details like mobile numbers, email IDs, and KYC documents through the UAN portal.
How can I check my EPF balance using UAN?
You can check your EPF balance by logging into the EPFO portal with your UAN and password and accessing the ‘Member Passbook’ option.
What should I do if I need to remember my UAN?
You can retrieve your UAN by visiting the UAN portal, entering your registered mobile number, and verifying through OTP.
Can UAN be used for PF withdrawal?
Yes, UAN simplifies the online withdrawal process of PF funds, whether wholly or partially, through the EPFO portal.
Do employers need to validate UAN details with each job change?
No, employers do not need to re-validate UAN details if the UAN is already Aadhaar and KYC-verified.
What happens if I do not link my UAN with Aadhaar?
Linking UAN with Aadhaar is mandatory for seamless EPF transactions and withdrawal processes.
Can I update the bank account details linked to UAN?
Yes, you can update bank account details through the UAN portal to ensure smooth crediting of PF withdrawals.
How can I download my UAN card?
You can download your UAN card by logging into the UAN portal, selecting the ‘View’ tab, and clicking the ‘Download’ option.
Is UAN valid for contract-based employees?
UAN is allocated to all EPF contributing members, including contract-based employees.
Can I check UAN status without a registered mobile number?
You can check your UAN status by visiting the UAN portal and verifying your identity using other details like your PAN or UID.
What should I do if my UAN is inactive?
Contact your employer or EPFO helpdesk to activate your UAN by updating the details and completing the KYC requirements.
How long does it take to update details on the UAN portal?
Details updated on the UAN portal are processed after employer verification, ensuring accuracy and security.
What if there is an error in my EPF account details?
Report any discrepancies or errors in your EPF account details to your employer or EPFO for prompt correction and updates.
These FAQs cover various aspects of UAN and address common queries that EPF members may have about their universal account number and its functionalities.
