EPFO Update: Here's How To Delink Wrongly Linked Member IDs via Unified Portal

If you've ever found yourself stuck dealing with a wrongly linked Member ID under your Universal Account Number (UAN), here’s some good news. The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced a new feature on its unified portal to help members easily de-link any incorrect Member IDs tied to their UANs.

What is UAN?

UAN is a 12-digit number that acts as an umbrella for the multiple Member IDs allotted to an individual by different employers. It is instrumental in linking multiple EPF Accounts (Member ID) allotted to a single member. Here’s what it offers in addition to the above:

• Dynamically updated UAN card

• Updated PF passbook including all transfer-in details

• Facility to link previous members’ PF ID with present PF ID

• Monthly SMS regarding credit of contribution in PF account, and

• Facility for auto-triggering transfer requests on change of employment

Why Is This Update Important?

Though a UAN is supposed to act as an umbrella identity for an individual, sometimes problems arise when there are multiple UANs or an incorrect Member ID linked to the account of an employee.

The EPFO, through a circular issued on January 17, 2025, acknowledged the challenges members face and announced this feature to empower individuals to rectify such errors themselves.

Before we touch down on a step-by-step guide on how to de-link any incorrect Member ID linked to your account, let’s review a basic pre-requisite required for the same.

To ensure that the process goes smoothly without a hitch, make sure your Aadhar-linked mobile number is active and accessible. This is important because you will receive OTPs (one-time passwords) for verification at multiple stages.

You should also double-check all details before initiating the de-linking process. If issues persist, EPFO recommends reaching out to their support team for further assistance.

Now let’s get down to the process of de-linking any wrongly linked Member ID;

Step 1: Log in to the Member Interface by entering your UAN, Password, and Captcha.

- You can open the Member Interface of the unified portal from this link

- After you’ve put in the details, click the ‘Sign in’ button.

Step 2: OTP Verification

- After signing in, an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.

- Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile in the designated field.

- Complete the captcha and click the Submit button.

Step 3: Access the Service History

- After successful login, navigate to the View menu.

- Click on the Service History sub-menu.

- On the Service History page, you can view all your service records.

- To delink wrongly linked previous member ID details, click the Delink button next to the corresponding record.

Step 4: Confirmation Prompt

- A confirmation alert will appear on your screen. Click OK to proceed and move on to the next step.

Step 5: Employment Status and Consent

- The next page will prompt you to select the reason for delinking

- Provide the required consent by checking the two boxes visible on your screen

- Click the ‘Get OTP’ button.

Step 6: OTP Verification for Delinking

- An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.

- Enter the OTP, then click Submit.

Note: If you don’t receive the OTP within 2 minutes, click the Resend button to generate a new OTP.

Step 7: Successful Delinking

- Upon successful verification, the Member ID will be delinked.

- A success message will be displayed.

- The page will redirect to your service history, where the delinked Member ID will no longer appear.

What To Do If An Error Occurs?

If an ECR (Electronic Challan-cum-Return) has been filed against the Member ID, you will receive an error message upon attempting to delink. After acknowledging the error message by clicking OK, you will be redirected to the ‘Service History’ page and delinking will not proceed.

This new feature is a big step toward making UAN management more efficient for EPF members. By giving members the ability to delink erroneous Member IDs themselves, the EPFO is simplifying account maintenance while reducing confusion.

If you have been struggling with multiple or wrongly linked Member IDs, this is your chance to set things straight. Log in to the unified portal and give it a try!

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