EPFO Aadhaar Update: Major Change In PF Account Identification Process

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The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization initiates an epochal linking of PF accounts with Aadhaar beginning October 2023. This aims at improving transparency in the operation of the system and achieving greater efficiency. The linking system aims at eliminating duplicate accounts, preventing fraudulent activities, and accelerating the overall management of Provident Fund (PF) for the millions of employees. 

Importance Of Aadhaar Linking

In the view of the EPFO, Aadhaar is about the strongest proof of identity in the context of any PF account. Basically, this ensures that there will have been only one unique PF account issued in respect of each employee for purpose of avoiding any conflicts arising and for enabling smooth transfer of funds into it on any instance when the employee changes jobs.

Aadhar Linked Benefits To PF Accounts 

  1. Elimination of Duplicate Accounts- Only persons linking accounts using valid Aadhar will be able to get the PF accounts. This means no more accounts will now be concurrently issued in the name of one employee and thus, during the entire period of his employment, there is only one activated universal account per employee.  
  2. Faster PF Transfer- Employees in the process of job transfers would never again have anything manual to do with regard to transferring ones PF balance; simply that new PF account will automatically get done through Aadhaar verification.  
  3. Reduction of Fraud and Identity Theft- The verification requirements with Aadhaar will leave little room for any fraudulent activity creeping into a PF account, or for fictitious beneficiaries to be made.  
  4. Easiest Online Service- Aadhaar authentication has made it the easiest online service for PF withdrawals, balance checks, and changes to UAN (Universal Account Number).  
  5. Instant Pension Setting- Beneficiaries of EPS (Employees Pension Scheme) would get their benefits even before they knew they applied for it because of the amazing speed offered and supported by the Aadhaar verification process.  

Link Your Aadhaar with Your PF Account.

All it takes for an EPFO member to link Aadhaar with UAN (Universal Account Number) is this very simple procedure to follow.  

A complete procedural guide

  1. Access the EPFO Portal- Click through a web browser on the website domain: EPFO member portal: ([https://www.epfindia.gov.in](https://www.epfindia.gov.in)).    
  2. Login to the UAN and Password- The Passwords have to be filled in on the display corresponding to the UAN before one can log in.  
  3. Click on ‘Manage’ and Select ‘KYC’-Choose KYC section; Select Aadhaar under this.  
  4. Enter Aadhaar Number and Get it Verified with OTP: Denote Aadhaar Number and validate it by an OTP sent on your registered mobile number.  
  5. EPFO Approval- After verification, EPFO will approve it, and Aadhaar linking will be updated in your PF account.

What Happens If You Don’t Link Aadhaar?  

  • Jointly make it difficult for withdrawal of PF or transfer of PF benefits.  
  • Employer’s monthly credits of PF may be suspended.  
  • Delays in pension disbursal on account of incomplete verification may become the order of the day.

Also Read: EPF Pension Increase: New Rule Allows Full PF Conversion Into Monthly Pension

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