
In a significant move to enhance user convenience, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has streamlined the process for transferring provident fund (PF) accounts and correcting personal details. Announced by Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, these reforms are set to benefit over 65 million subscribers, aiming to improve the ease of living for members and the ease of doing business for employers.
Simplified PF Transfer Process
Previously, transferring a PF account upon changing jobs required verification from either the previous or current employer, often leading to delays averaging 12 to 13 days. With the new system, members with fully compliant e-KYC can file their online transfer claims directly with EPFO using Aadhaar OTP, eliminating the need for employer intervention. This change is expected to expedite over 94% of the 1.3 crore transfer claims filed during FY 2024-25, significantly reducing processing times and associated grievances.
Almost 17% of the EPFO grievance is courtesy delay in EPFO transfer process. This should improve the operational efficiency to a greater extent.
Self-Correction of Personal Details
In addition to easing transfers, EPFO has simplified the process for correcting personal information. Subscribers whose Universal Account Numbers (UANs) were issued after October 1, 2017, can now self-correct common errors such as name, date of birth, gender, and marital status directly on the EPFO portal without employer verification or EPFO approval. For UANs issued prior to this date, employers can make corrections without EPFO approval, streamlining the process further. This initiative addresses approximately 27% of total grievances related to member profiles and KYC issues, enhancing overall user experience.
These reforms reflect the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for efficient service delivery, ensuring that EPFO subscribers experience a more seamless and transparent process in managing their provident fund accounts.