The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has introduced two major reforms that will benefit over 7 crore EPF account holders across India. These changes will make claim settlements faster, reduce paperwork, and simplify the bank account linking process, ensuring a hassle-free experience for employees.
No More Uploading of Cheques or Passbooks
One of the biggest changes is that EPFO members no longer need to upload scanned copies of their cheque or bank passbook while filing online PF claims. Earlier, this requirement often caused delays and rejections due to errors in document uploads.
This new rule ensures that claim processing is now quicker and more efficient. The change was first introduced on a pilot basis on May 28, 2024, and after its success, it has now been extended to all EPFO members across India. More than 1.7 crore members have already benefited from this update.
Simplified Bank Account Linking with UAN
Another important reform is the simplification of the bank account linking process with UAN (Universal Account Number). Previously, even after bank verification, employees had to wait for their employer’s approval, causing delays.
Now, once the bank verifies the account, it will be directly linked to the UAN without requiring employer approval. This makes it easier for employees to update their bank details whenever needed. Users can now change or update their bank account number and IFSC code simply by using Aadhaar OTP verification.
So far, 4.83 crore EPFO members have successfully linked their bank accounts, while 14.95 lakh requests are still pending at the employer’s level. With this new rule, these backlogs will be cleared faster, allowing seamless fund transfers.
How These Changes Benefit You
These reforms will have a huge positive impact on EPFO members by:
- Speeding Up Claim Settlements – Fewer documentation requirements mean claims will now be processed much faster.
- Reducing Rejections – The removal of the cheque/passbook upload step eliminates common errors, leading to fewer claim rejections.
- Easier Bank Account Linking – Members can now update or change their bank details quickly using Aadhaar OTP without needing employer approval.
Conclusion
These EPFO reforms make PF claims simpler, faster, and more user-friendly. With over 7.74 crore active contributors, such improvements are a huge step towards making the EPF system more efficient and accessible for employees across India.
