Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO): EPF, UAN, Passbook, Pension & Latest Updates

If you are a salaried employee in India, chances are you have heard of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). It manages one of India’s most important social-security systems for eligible employees and provides benefits related to provident fund savings, pension and insurance.

From checking your EPF balance and UAN to transferring your PF account or submitting an online claim, many EPFO services can now be accessed digitally.

But what exactly is EPFO, how does EPF work, and what services can employees use in 2026? Here is a simple guide.

What Is Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation?

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is a statutory organisation under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.

EPFO administers three major social-security schemes:

• Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 1952
• Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995
• Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme, 1976

Together, these schemes provide provident-fund savings, pension-related benefits and insurance protection to eligible members.

What Is EPF?

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is a long-term savings system in which contributions are made toward an employee’s provident-fund account.

The accumulated EPF balance, along with applicable interest, can provide financial support at retirement and in certain permitted situations during employment.

EPFO also allows partial withdrawals for specified purposes under the applicable rules, including areas such as education, marriage, illness and housing.

What Are the Three EPFO Schemes?

1. Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme

The EPF scheme helps eligible employees build a retirement corpus through contributions and interest.

2. Employees’ Pension Scheme

The EPS provides pension-related benefits, including benefits connected with retirement, disability and eligible family members.

3. Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme

The EDLI scheme provides insurance-related benefits to eligible members’ families in the event of the member’s death while in service.

What Is a UAN?

The Universal Account Number (UAN) is an important identification number associated with an employee’s EPF accounts.

Instead of managing a completely separate identity every time an employee changes jobs, the UAN helps connect PF-related employment records.

The EPFO member portal provides facilities including:

• UAN activation
• Know Your UAN
• UAN-related services
• Service history
• UAN card
• Passbook access
• Online services
• Pension application status

The current EPFO member portal also provides options for generating a UAN for certain existing PF members and direct UAN allotment.

How to Check EPF Balance Online?

Members can check their PF information through EPFO’s digital services.

The official EPFO passbook portal provides access to EPF Passbook & Claim Status after login using the required credentials.

EPFO also provides balance-enquiry options through missed call and SMS services.

EPFO Passbook

The passbook can help members view information related to their PF account, including contributions and other account details.

EPFO has also introduced Passbook Lite on its member portal to provide a simplified view of PF information.

EPFO Online Services in 2026

EPFO has been moving several member and employer services toward digital platforms.

Members can access services relating to:

• UAN
• EPF passbook
• Claims
• PF transfers
• Service history
• Pension-related applications
• Nomination
• Profile information

The EPFO portal also states that services are available through the UMANG app, while UAN activation and generation services can be accessed through UMANG.

Latest EPFO Updates in 2026

EPFO has introduced several important changes and technology initiatives during 2026.

EPFO Software Upgrade

EPFO undertook a major database consolidation and software-system upgrade under EPFO 2.01 in June 2026 to improve claim processing and service delivery.

VISHWAS and AMNESTY 2026

EPFO launched VISHWAS, 2026 and AMNESTY, 2026 as one-time initiatives aimed at improving compliance and resolving certain legacy provident-fund issues.

The schemes came into effect on June 29, 2026, and are scheduled to operate for six months from notification.

EPFO Digital Services

EPFO continues to expand technology-based services, including online access to transfer-related information and simplified passbook services.

These initiatives are aimed at reducing paperwork and making PF-related services easier for members.

EPFO Interest Rate

For FY 2025-26, the Central Board of Trustees recommended an 8.25% interest rate for EPF members’ accounts, subject to the required government approval process.

The previously approved EPF interest rate for FY 2024-25 was also 8.25%, after approval by the Central Government.

Members should check official EPFO communications for the latest credited interest and account status rather than relying on social-media claims.

New EPFO Coverage Update in 2026

A significant 2026 development is the reported increase in the statutory wage ceiling for mandatory EPF coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, effective September 17, 2026.

According to a September 2026 PIB release, the change is intended to bring more eligible workers under the social-security framework and provide access to EPF, EPS and EDLI benefits.

This is an important development for employees and employers because EPF coverage rules directly affect payroll and social-security compliance.

Can EPF Money Be Withdrawn?

EPFO permits withdrawals and advances subject to the applicable rules and eligibility conditions.

Depending on the circumstances, members may be able to access funds for permitted purposes such as:

• Certain medical needs
• Education
• Marriage
• Housing
• Other eligible situations

The applicable eligibility, limits and conditions can change, so members should check the current EPFO rules before submitting a claim.

EPFO Claim Status

After submitting an eligible PF claim, members can use EPFO’s online services to check the status.

The official passbook portal also provides EPF Passbook & Claim Status access.

EPFO and Pension

EPFO is not only about provident-fund savings.

The Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 provides pension-related benefits for eligible members and their families. Benefits include provisions connected with superannuation, retirement, disability and eligible survivor/family pensions.

This is why employees should not look at their PF balance alone when planning their long-term retirement finances.

EPFO Nomination

Nomination is an important part of managing an EPF account.

The current EPFO member portal highlights e-Nomination facilities and states that members can file or update nominations during their service period.

Employees should review their nomination details and keep them updated when their family circumstances change.

How to Stay Safe From Fake EPFO Calls and Messages

PF accounts contain sensitive financial and identity information, making EPFO members potential targets for scams.

EPFO specifically warns members not to share UAN, Aadhaar, PAN, bank details, passwords or OTPs with unknown callers or messages.

The official EPFO passbook portal also warns that EPFO does not call members or pensioners asking them to deposit money.

Remember:

Never share your OTP, UAN password, Aadhaar details, PAN or bank credentials with an unknown person claiming to be from EPFO.

Always use official EPFO websites or government platforms for important PF services.

Why EPFO Is Important for Employees

EPFO plays an important role in India’s social-security system.

For employees, its major benefits include:

• Long-term PF savings
• Interest on eligible EPF balances
• Pension-related benefits
• Insurance protection through EDLI
• Online PF services
• UAN-based account management
• PF transfer facilities
• Digital claim services

The organisation is also increasingly using technology to make its services more transparent and accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does EPFO stand for?

EPFO stands for Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.

What is the main purpose of EPFO?

EPFO administers major social-security schemes covering provident fund, pension and insurance benefits for eligible employees.

What are the three EPFO schemes?

They are EPF, EPS and EDLI.

What is UAN?

UAN stands for Universal Account Number. It is used to manage an employee’s PF-related records and services.

How can I check my EPF balance?

Members can use the official EPFO passbook portal and other authorised EPFO services to check their PF information.

Can EPF money be withdrawn?

Eligible members can make withdrawals or advances under applicable EPFO rules and conditions.

Is EPFO available online?

Yes. EPFO provides several online member and employer services through its official portals and government digital platforms such as UMANG.

Final Takeaway

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation is much more than a PF account-management organisation. Through EPF, EPS and EDLI, it provides an important social-security framework for eligible employees.

With EPFO continuing its digital transformation in 2026, services such as UAN management, passbook access, claims, transfers and nominations are increasingly available online.

For employees, the most important step is to keep their UAN, personal information, bank details and nomination details updated and use only official EPFO channels for PF-related services.