Summary of this article
The EPFO unified member portal is back online after a week-long upgrade and database consolidation.
UAN activation and direct UAN allotment have been shifted to the UMANG app.
Passbook viewing and balance confirmation are unavailable across the portal, app, SMS and missed call channels.
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has restored its unified portal for members after a seven-day downtime due to a scheduled upgrade and data consolidation. However, EPFO services on the UMANG app have not yet been restored. It shows “EPFO services are currently unavailable due to scheduled migration activities being undertaken by the department and are expected to resume shortly. However, the EPFO Member Portal is now operational. Members may avail themselves of EPFO services through the EPFO Member Portal at the time of writing.
The portal has been upgraded, and some options have been migrated to the UMANG app. These are no longer available on the portal, such as UAN activation and direct UAN allotment to a subscriber. Besides this, the Aadhaar-based face authentication has been made mandatory on the app for both these options.
Services Migrated To UMANG Portal
Here is how to exercise these options on the app.
UAN Activation On UMANG App
Subscribers now need to log in to the UMANG app. Under the EPFO service tab, there is an option ‘UAN Services Through Face Authentication’ and under it ‘UAN Activation’. One needs to click on it, complete Aadhaar-based face authentication, and submit the request.
Direct Generation Of UAN On UMANG App
To generate a new UAN for new subscribers who don’t have an existing EPF account, they need to go to the EPFO services in the UMANG app. Under the EPFO Service tab, the ‘UAN Allotment and Activation’ option will appear; click on it, complete the Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, and proceed with the request.
Previously, subscribers could perform these tasks on the website, but now they have been discontinued on the web portal.
Services Continue To Be Available On Web Portal
Those who already have an EPF account but do not have a UAN can still use the portal to generate the UAN. Subscribers can generate the UAN by verifying their registered mobile number and providing their details. Once the new UAN is generated, it will be linked to the existing EPF account.
In case a subscriber has forgotten the UAN, the upgraded portal has introduced an option to retrieve it. Subscribers can recover their UAN by entering their registered mobile number, uploading identity/address proof, and verifying an OTP.
The portal continues to provide the death claim request option on the web portal. To file a death claim, subscribers need to provide details, including their mobile number, bank account details, a scanned copy of the death certificate of the member, a cancelled cheque or bank passbook, and date of birth proof if applicable. The online document should be at least 2 MB in size.
Notably, the EPFO has restored the portal after seven days following a couple of extensions. Yet, not all the options are fully functional.
Claims And Service Requests Will Be Processed In A Phased And Calibrated Manner
As per the message on the web portal, “EPFO has successfully completed a major database consolidation and software upgrade to enhance service delivery and improve the member experience. Member and Employer services have been made live in a phased manner and are available for use. As part of the post-migration stabilisation process, claims and service requests will be processed in a phased and calibrated manner with additional verification and validation checks to ensure accuracy during the initial two-week period.”
It shows that the processing may take longer-than-usual time during this phased implementation of service options.
EPFO urges users to avoid accessing the portal during peak hours and not submit requests repeatedly.
As the EPFO has recently notified the interest rate for the financial year 2025-26, following government ratification in June, it is expected to be credited from this month. Currently, passbook view and balance confirmation options are not working on the portal, UMANG app, or even via SMS or missed call. As the upgradation has been completed, these are also expected to be restored soon.
