Summary of this article
EPFO enforces Aadhaar face authentication for UAN generation via UMANG App starting August 1, 2025, ensuring a seamless process for employees
Existing UAN generation process continues for international workers
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made Aadhaar-based face authentication mandatory for generating the Universal Account Number (UNA) effective August 1, 2025. UAN is a 12-digit unique number allotted to each employee registered for the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) facility. The UAN remains the same throughout life, and even if an employee changes jobs, the new employer uses the same number to do EPF-related operational formalities for such an employee. Although the Aadhar-based face authentication facility on the UMANG App was launched in April this year, it has now become the only mode to generate or activate a UAN.
Per the EPFO's circular dated April 8, 2025, "In Order to simplify and to make the entire process of allotment and activation of UAN more robust, the following three facilities for Employees/Members have been introduced in the UMANG APP leveraging the Face Authentication Technology (FAT)."
What Are The Three Facilities With Aadhar-Based Face Authentication?
1. Direct UAN Allotment and Activation
2. UAN Activation for Existing UANs
3. Face Authentication Service for Existing Activated UANs
At that time, it was aimed to simplify the UAN generation and activation and fast-track the overall process.
However, the latest circular in this regard, dated July 30, 2025, is focused on error-free UAN generation by making Aadhar-based face authentication mandatory. It reads, "In order to ensure error-free generation of UAN, it has been decided that w.e.f. On August 1, 2025, the allotment/generation of UAN will be done only through the Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology (FAT) in the UMANG App. However, the existing process of generation of UAN through the employer will continue with respect to exceptional cases like International Workers and Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan."
So, except for some cases (international workers, citizens of Nepal, and Bhutan), the UAMNG App-based FAT has now become mandatory.
How Will An Employee Benefit?
With the mandatory Aadhar-based face authentication, employees don't need to depend on the employer for their UAN generation and activation. The FAT technology facility can be used by both the employer and the employee. Activation is also easier with face authentication, and new as well as existing employees can both activate it without following up with the authorities.
Earlier, it was only an employer who could raise a UAN generation request for an employee to the EPFO.
Through the UMANG App, one can also download the e-UAN card PDF and access EPFO services, such as checking the passbook, updating KYC, and submitting claims, among others.
How To Generate And Activate The UAN?
The process to generate or activate a UAN is simple. One only needs to download the UMANG App and the Aadhaar Face RD App from the Play Store and follow the process.
However, in case of operational issues during the process, one can contact the UMANG helpdesk or contact EPFO customer support.
