Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) subscribers can no longer activate their Universal Account Number (UAN) or generate a new UAN through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) member portal. Following a major technology upgrade, both services have been moved to the government's Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) app, where users must complete Aadhaar-based Face Authentication (FAT) before their request is processed. The change comes after EPFO restored its upgraded Unified Member Portal following a nearly week-long scheduled maintenance exercise, with the overhaul including software upgrades and database consolidation aimed at improving speed, security and reliability of digital services. As per Zee News, the latest upgrade was introduced in a phased manner from July 3, 2026, as part of a major system upgrade aimed at improving security, reliability, and user experience.
The shift represents EPFO's broader push towards stronger digital identity verification and reduced chances of fraud or impersonation while accessing provident fund services. The mandatory face authentication step adds an additional layer to the process, intended to strengthen identity verification and reduce the risk of unauthorized access to provident fund accounts. For millions of salaried employees, this changes the way they access one of the most important services linked to their provident fund accounts. EPFO has advised subscribers to ensure that their Aadhaar details and registered mobile number are up to date, as both are essential for completing the verification process. The organisation has also informed members that claims and online requests may take slightly longer than usual during the initial 2-week stabilisation period due to additional verification and validation checks. According to the EPFO notice, the upgrade is part of a "major database consolidation and software upgrade to enhance service delivery and improve the member experience."
To activate a UAN through the UMANG app, users need to download the UMANG app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, log in or register using their mobile number, and navigate to EPFO Services. They must then select UAN Services Through Face Authentication, choose UAN Activation, and enter their 12-digit UAN, Aadhaar number, and the mobile number linked with Aadhaar. After providing consent for Aadhaar authentication, users must complete the face authentication process by following the on-screen instructions. Once verification is successful, the UAN is activated and a confirmation message is sent. The UAN serves as a unique identification number allotted to every EPF member that remains the same throughout their career, allowing members to check PF balances online, download passbooks, transfer PF when changing jobs, file withdrawal claims, update KYC details, and access various EPFO online services. As per Zee News, the upgraded portal now offers a simpler UAN retrieval process for members who have forgotten their UAN, with the service moved entirely to the UMANG app.
For employees who require a fresh UAN, the process involves opening the UMANG app, navigating to EPFO services, selecting 'UAN Allotment and Activation', completing Aadhaar Face Authentication, and finishing the verification process as instructed. As reported by Business Standard, some employees may already have an EPF account but were never allotted a UAN, and such members can still obtain one by verifying their registered mobile number, providing required member details, and completing the authentication process. The upgraded system also provides a way to recover forgotten UANs by entering registered mobile number, uploading identity or address proof, and verifying the one-time password received on the registered mobile number. Once verified, the system generates a UAN and links it to the existing EPF account. While UAN-related services have moved to the UMANG app, the EPFO Unified Member Portal continues to provide the online facility for filing death claims, with beneficiaries required to upload all supporting documents in the specified format. According to Zee News, the EPFO has also discontinued the facility of direct allotment of UANs through the EPFO portal, with all new UAN generation now processed through the UMANG app.
EPFO has clarified that the changes do not affect death claim settlements, with eligible nominees and legal heirs able to continue filing death claims through the existing process. According to the retirement fund body, the migration of UAN-related services to the UMANG app has no impact on the settlement of such claims. The latest changes reflect EPFO's continued push towards Aadhaar-backed digital verification for member services, with users advised to ensure their Aadhaar details and registered mobile number are up to date, as both will play a key role in completing the verification process. Without activating the UAN, many of the facilities remain unavailable, making the new process essential for accessing comprehensive EPFO services. As per Zee News, during the initial two-week stabilisation period, claims and service requests will be processed in a phased and calibrated manner with additional verification and validation checks to ensure accuracy. The EPFO has advised members to avoid repeated submissions and multiple login attempts during peak hours to maintain system stability.
