The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched major updates aimed at simplifying processes and reducing grievances for its 7.6 crore members. These changes include faster online EPF transfer claims and easier corrections of personal details, using Aadhaar OTP-based authentication.

Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the new features on Saturday, stating that they align EPFO’s services with the efficiency of the banking system and improve user experience.

Key Highlights

1. Aadhaar-Based EPF Transfer Claims

Members with Aadhaar-seeded EPF accounts (e-KYC compliant) can now file transfer claims directly with EPFO using Aadhaar OTP authentication.
This removes the need for employer intervention, significantly reducing processing time.
Over 94% of the 1.3 crore claims filed in FY 2024-25 will instantly reach EPFO, ensuring faster resolution of transfer requests.
Members with pending transfer claims can delete and resubmit their requests directly to EPFO, further streamlining the process.

Read in detail: You Need to Know About EPF – Employees’ Provident Fund

2. Simplified Personal Detail Corrections

Members can now update their personal details (e.g., name, date of birth, gender, marital status) without employer verification or EPFO approval in certain cases:
- For UANs issued after October 1, 2017: Members can directly self-correct details online using Aadhaar OTP.
- For UANs issued before October 1, 2017: Employers can update member details without EPFO’s approval.
This change eliminates the need for supporting documents and joint declarations, accelerating the correction process and reducing delays.
Approximately 27% of total complaints are related to member profiles and KYC issues, which this new process aims to resolve effectively.

3. Resolving Historical Challenges

Previously, correcting errors required a time-intensive “Joint Declaration” process, involving:
- Online requests submitted by employees.
- Employer verification before forwarding to EPFO for approval.
In FY 2024-25, only 40% of the 8 lakh correction requests were forwarded to EPFO within five days, with an average processing time of 28 days.
The new system now addresses:
- 45% of corrections instantly using Aadhaar OTP.
- 50% of corrections via employer without EPFO approval.
- 3.9 lakh pending cases, significantly improving efficiency.

4. Reduced Employer Burden and Faster Workflows

Employer verification of transfer claims previously took an average of 12–13 days, contributing to delays.
The changes improve claim processing timelines and alleviate administrative burdens for large employers, who often deal with a high volume of transfer requests.

5. Addressing Grievances and Improving Efficiency

Transfer-related grievances constitute 17% of total complaints, while profile and KYC issues account for 27%.
These updates aim to significantly lower the volume of grievances by addressing root causes.
EPFO is also simplifying its internal processes for transfer claim handling, enhancing efficiency across the board.

Why These Updates Matter

Fewer Grievances: Addresses the root causes of member complaints, such as profile corrections and claim delays.
Reduced Turnaround Time: Aadhaar OTP and simplified corrections ensure faster resolutions.
Enhanced User Experience: Aligns EPFO services with modern banking standards.
Ease of Doing Business: Reduces administrative load on employers.

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