The Universal Account Number (UAN) serves as a pivotal identification number bestowed upon salaried employees by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). This 12-digit unique identifier remains constant throughout an individual’s professional journey, facilitating seamless tracking of EPF contributions and transactions. Each employee is linked to a single UAN, even as they transition across different jobs, with each PF account being tethered to this universal identifier.
Acquiring and activating your UAN involves a straightforward process:
How to get UAN?
When entering the workforce for the first time, if the organization boasts a staff count of 20 or more, the employer is mandated to generate the UAN for the employee. Should the employee possess a pre-existing UAN from a previous employer, they must furnish this information to the new employer. To initiate the process, employers must adhere to the following steps:
- Access the EPF Employer Portal using the Establishment ID and password.
- Navigate to the “Member” section and select the “Register Individual” tab.
- Enter the employee’s particulars, including Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details, among others.
- Validate and approve the provided details in the “Approval” section to trigger the generation of a new UAN by the EPFO.
In instances where an employee already holds a UAN from a prior organization, and the current employer seeks to procure a new UAN from the EPFO, the organization will be furnished with the existing UAN instead. However, this occurs solely if the employee has successfully linked their UAN with their Aadhaar card.
Advantages of UAN for Employees:
The UAN confers several benefits upon employees, including:
- Seamless tracking of EPF contributions and balances.
- Facilitates online transfer and withdrawal of funds from PF accounts.
- Simplifies administrative processes related to EPF management.
- Provides centralized access to EPF-related services and information.
UAN Activation
To unlock access to the array of online services provided by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), activating your Universal Account Number (UAN) is imperative. Without this activation, individuals are unable to leverage the various online facilities offered by the EPFO. Below are the steps elucidating the process of UAN activation/registration:
Steps for UAN Activation:
Visit the EPFO Member Portal: Navigate to the EPFO Member Portal and locate the option labeled “Activate UAN.”
Fill in Required Details: Provide your UAN or member ID, along with essential personal information such as your name, Aadhaar number, date of birth (DOB), mobile number, and captcha code.
Obtain Authorization PIN: Click on “Get Authorization PIN” to receive a unique PIN on your registered mobile number.
Enter Authorization PIN: Input the received authorization PIN into the designated field and proceed by clicking on “Validate OTP and Activate UAN.”
UAN Activation Confirmation: Upon successful validation of the OTP, your UAN will be activated, and a password will be dispatched to your registered mobile number.
Access EPF Account: With your UAN and the received password, you can now log in to your EPF account, gaining access to a myriad of online services provided by the EPFO.
Steps for UAN Status Check or Retrieval:
Visit EPFO Member Portal: Head to the EPFO Member Portal and locate the option labeled “Know your UAN.”
Provide Required Information: Enter your registered mobile number and the captcha code provided. Then, click on “Request OTP” to receive a one-time password on your registered mobile number.
Verify OTP: Input the OTP received on your mobile device along with the captcha code provided. Then, click on “Validate OTP” to proceed.
Fill in Personal Details: Enter your name, date of birth, Aadhaar/PAN/member ID, along with the captcha code for verification purposes.
Retrieve UAN: Click on “Show my UAN” to retrieve your Universal Account Number (UAN) and view its status.
By following these steps diligently, individuals can effortlessly check the status of their UAN or retrieve it as needed.
Documents Required for UAN Registration:
To complete a secure UAN registration process, individuals are required to furnish the following documents:
- Updated Aadhaar card of the applicant
- PAN card
- Bank account details along with the IFSC code
- Identity Proof: Driving License, Passport, Voter ID, etc.
- Proof of Address
- ESIC card
Ensuring the submission of these documents facilitates a smooth and secure UAN registration process, enabling individuals to access and manage their EPF accounts efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What happens to UAN when changing jobs?
Ans: When changing jobs, the employee must provide their UAN to the new employer. The new PF account is then linked to the existing UAN. The UAN remains unchanged throughout the employee’s career.
Q2. What information is included on the UAN card?
Ans: The UAN card contains the universal account number and verified KYC details (if provided by the employer) on the front. The rear side displays the recent five member IDs and EPFO helpdesk contact numbers.
Q3. How to transfer old EPF accounts and link them to UAN?
Ans: After linking the current EPF account with UAN, old EPF accounts can be linked online. Additionally, the status of transfer requests can be checked.
Q4. What to do if two UANs are allotted?
Ans: In such cases, the employee should promptly inform the EPFO helpdesk. Following necessary verification, the old UAN is blocked.
Q5. How to correct wrong information on the EPF card?
Ans: To amend details such as father’s name, name, or date of birth, submit valid documents to the current employer. Alternatively, notify the EPFO helpdesk for necessary changes on the UAN card.
Q6. How to link Aadhaar with UAN?
Ans: Aadhaar can be linked with UAN via various methods including Umang App, biometric credentials on e-KYC Portal, or OTP verification on EPFO’s e-KYC Portal.
Q7. What to do if UAN update is pending at the field office?
Ans: If the UAN update process is delayed, requests can be made to the concerned commissioner or complaints can be registered via the EPFIGMS portal.
Q8. Why is my UAN KYC pending?
Ans: KYC documents usually take 3 to 5 days for approval. If pending for more than 7–8 days, file a complaint or contact the regional EPFO officer through the help desk online or toll-free numbers.
Q9. I forgot my UAN, how can I retrieve it?
Ans: UAN can be recovered if linked with Aadhaar or PAN Card. Visit the EPFO homepage, navigate to Member UAN/Online Service, know UAN status, enter details, request OTP, and proceed as directed.
