In April 2025, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced two key reforms which will simplify its claim settlement process. These reforms aimed at enhancing the Ease of Living for EPF members and Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) for employers.
- Also, these reforms will significantly simplify the process of claim settlement and alleviate grievances related to claim rejections.
About Two Key Reforms:
Eliminating the Requirement of Uploading Image of Cheque Leaf/Attested Bank Passbook:
i.EPFO has completely removed the requirement of uploading an image of a cheque leaf or attested bank passbook while filing for claims through online mode.
- Initially, this requirement was relaxed on a pilot-basis for certain Know Your Customer (KYC)-updated members.
- Since its launch on May 28, 2024, 1.7 crore EPF members have already been benefitted.
ii.As the bank account holder’s name is already verified with the details of EPF members at the time of bank account seeding with the Universal Account Number (UAN), EPFO has now done away with this additional documentation requirement.
- This decision of EPFO is expected to benefit nearly 6 crore EPF members, removing claim rejections due to poor-quality uploads and reducing associated grievances.
Removal of Requirement of Employer Approval for Seeding Bank Account Details with UAN:
EPFO has now eliminated the requirement of employer approval after bank verification. This move aims to streamline the process of seeding bank accounts with UAN.
- It has now dispensed the role of employer to approve the verification of bank account within the seeding process of the members’ bank account.
i.The above simplified process will provide options to those members who want to change their already seeded bank account by registering their new bank account number along with the Indian Financial System(IFSC Code) duly authenticated through Aadhaar One Time Password (OTP).
ii.Also, the members who have not seeded their bank account or change/update their seeded bank account can avail the benefit of the above simplified process to get their bank account at the earliest.
Points to Note:
At present, it is mandatory for every member to seed his or her bank account with UAN in order to get their Provident Fund (PF) withdrawals smoothly credited to such account.
- 1.3 crore members have submitted their requests for seeding their bank accounts during Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).
About Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):
Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC)- Ramesh Krishnamurthi
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1952
