In another measure to make EPF members’ lives easier, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) introduced applying and activating the Universal Account Number on the Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) app.
In a circular dated April 8, 2025, EPFO said, “In Order to simplify and to make the entire process of allotment and activation of UAN more robust, the following 3 facilities for Employees/Members have been introduced in the UMANG APP leveraging the Face Authentication Technology (FAT).
1. Direct UAN Allotment and Activation
2. UAN Activation for Existing UANs
3. Face Authentication Service for Existing Activated UANs”.
In short, now, members can apply for allotment and activation of their new UAN as well as the existing UAN through the mobile app.
In a series of procedural and operational changes, making the UAN application and activation available on the app for both new and existing members will make members’ lives hassle-free.
Until now, when a person joins a company, the employer requests EPFO to generate UAN, a 12-digit number for the employee. Once the number is generated, it remains the same throughout life even when one changes jobs.
Notably, using the FAT technology on the app, both employers and employees can generate UAN.
How To Use The UMANG App For Generating And Activating UAN
Generating And Activating UAN For New Members:
Step 1: Download the UMANG app and AadhaarFaceRD App from the Play Store
Step 2: Go to the ‘Allotment and Activation’ section in the UMANG App
Step 3: Enter Aadhaar number, mobile number and tick the checkbox
Step 4: Check the consent box and scan the face via the device’s camera
Step 5: The system verifies face scanning details with the Adhaar database and once successful, UAN is generated
Step 6: UAN is sent to the registered mobile number through SMS
With the FAT generation, separate activation is no longer required as UAN generated through FAT is auto-activated.
UAN Activation For Existing Members:
Step 1: Open the UMANG App and click the ‘UAN Activation’ option
Step 2: Enter Adhaar and mobile number, tick the consent box, and authenticate with the OTP
Step 3: Scan Face
Step 4: The system will verify the face scanning against Adhaar and activate the UAN
Step5: A message is sent to the user via SMS
Users can also generate their e-UAN card PDF via the app.
How Will It Benefit EPF Members?
“The benefits that would accrue to members using FAT include foolproof validation of Aadhaar data as all data of the user is pre-populated directly from the Aadhaar database and completion of UAN activation process during UAN generation itself. There would be no requirement for the initiation of the UAN activation process afresh. By availing this facility members would gain immediate access to EPFO services such as passbook viewing, KYC updates, claim submission, etc.”, the circular reads.
Until the change, UAN generation was solely the responsibility of employers, which sometimes delayed the process and led to related grievances. However, by enabling employees to generate their UAN through the app, the process is expected to become less time-consuming.
