Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) subscribers can now withdraw provident fund money directly through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), with testing of the facility already completed. According to reports from PTI, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the facility allows members to withdraw EPF directly into their bank accounts using UPI payment gateway. The withdrawn amount will be transferred directly into the member's bank account, eliminating the need for manual withdrawal processes. The system enables instant transfers of PF money directly to the bank accounts of over 7 crore members using their UPI ID and PIN. As reported by PTI, EPFO has been working to resolve software issues before launching the system to ensure smooth operations for all members.
The new system introduces an auto-settlement mechanism that processes claims electronically without manual intervention within three days of filing an application. As reported by PTI, the withdrawal limit under auto-settlement has been raised to ₹5 lakh from the earlier ₹1 lakh, allowing members to access funds within three days for purposes including illness, education, marriage and housing. Subscribers can view eligible EPF balance and complete transactions using their linked UPI PIN, enabling direct and secure fund transfer. The innovation promises to eliminate existing paperwork and provide faster access to funds, as members no longer need to submit withdrawal claims first which took time for approval.
EPFO is planning to launch WhatsApp services to improve member outreach and streamline services. According to PTI, members will be able to interact with EPFO by typing 'Hello' to the organisation's verified WhatsApp number with a green tick mark. The service will support local and vernacular languages and is expected to launch within a month. Members can now receive PF balance details, recent transactions, and claim status updates through the WhatsApp platform in their own local language. Initially, the service will focus on supporting PMVBRY members facing issues with Aadhaar authentication or Direct Benefit Transfer activation.
EPFO has significantly reduced pending legal cases through the 'Nidhi Aapke Nikat (NAN)' programme. As reported by PTI, the number of pending consumer cases declined from 4,936 as of April 1, 2024, to 2,646 as of March 31, 2026. Overall litigation cases fell from 31,036 as of April 1, 2025, to 27,639 as of April 1, 2026, representing a reduction of 3,397 cases. Cases pending for more than 10 years dropped from 8,539 to 4,665, a decline of nearly 45.4 per cent. The organisation aims to address long-standing grievances, thereby enhancing user experience through proactive resolution of legal disputes.
