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EPF & Provident Fund|Last updated: July 2026|7 min read

EPF & UAN Guide — PF Withdrawal, Passbook, KYC Update

Moderate — takes some time
Quick Answer

To withdraw EPF online, activate your UAN at unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in, complete KYC (link Aadhaar, PAN, bank account), then file a claim using Form 31 (full withdrawal) or Form 19 (partial withdrawal). E-sign with Aadhaar OTP and receive funds in your bank within 15-20 days.

What is UAN and EPF?

Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit unique number assigned to every EPF member by EPFO. It remains the same throughout your career, even when you change jobs.

Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement savings scheme where:

  • 12% of your basic salary is contributed by you (employee)
  • 12% is contributed by your employer (3.67% to EPF, 8.33% to EPS — Employee Pension Scheme)
  • Interest is credited annually (8.25% for FY 2025-26)
  • Contributions are tax-deductible under Section 80C

Step-by-step: Activate your UAN

1

Get your UAN from employer

Your UAN is allotted when you join your first job. Check your appointment letter, salary slip, or ask your HR department. You may also receive it via SMS/email from EPFO.

Tip: If you don't have your UAN, request it from your employer or call EPFO helpline at 1800-118-005.
2

Visit EPFO member portal

Go to unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in and click "Activate UAN" on the login page.

Tip: Use a desktop/laptop for better experience — mobile browsers sometimes have issues.
3

Enter UAN and personal details

Enter your 12-digit UAN, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, and mobile number. Ensure these match your employer records exactly.

Tip: Name must match your Aadhaar card exactly, including initials and spelling.
4

Verify with OTP

You'll receive an OTP on your registered mobile number and email. Enter the OTP to verify.

Tip: If OTP doesn't arrive, check your mobile number is correctly entered and linked to Aadhaar.
5

Set password

Create a strong password (min 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character). Set security questions for password recovery.

Tip: Save your password securely — you'll need it for all future logins.
6

Login and verify activation

Login to the portal using your UAN and new password. You should see your member details and linked PF accounts.

Tip: If login fails, wait 24 hours for activation to complete in the system.

Step-by-step: Complete KYC in UAN

Complete KYC is mandatory for PF withdrawals, transfers, and online claims.

1

Login to UAN portal

Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in and login using your UAN and password.

Tip: Clear browser cache if you face login issues.
2

Navigate to KYC section

Click "Manage" in the top menu, then select "KYC."

Tip: You'll see three sections: Aadhaar, PAN, and Bank Account.
3

Link Aadhaar

Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and click "Save." An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile. Verify the OTP to complete Aadhaar seeding.

Tip: Aadhaar linking is mandatory for online withdrawal and e-signature.
4

Link PAN card

Enter your 10-digit PAN number, name as per PAN, and date of birth. Upload a scanned copy of your PAN card (PDF/JPG, under 2MB). Click "Save."

Tip: PAN is required for withdrawals above ₹50,000 to ensure tax compliance.
5

Add bank account details

Enter your bank account number, IFSC code, and account holder name (as per passbook). Upload a cancelled cheque or bank statement with your name, account number, and IFSC visible.

Tip: Only savings or current accounts are accepted — no NRE/NRO accounts.
6

Submit for employer approval

After entering all KYC details, they are sent to your employer for verification. Your employer must approve within 3-7 days.

Tip: Follow up with your HR if approval takes longer than 7 days.
7

Check KYC status

Return to the KYC page after a few days to see "Approved" status for all three documents. Once approved, you can make online claims.

Tip: Green "Approved" icon confirms KYC is complete.

Download EPF passbook online

1

Login to UAN portal

Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in and login with UAN and password.

Tip: Bookmark this page for easy access.
2

Select Member ID

From the dropdown menu on the top-right, select the PF Member ID (employer PF account number) for which you want to view the passbook.

Tip: If you've changed jobs, you'll see multiple Member IDs — select the one you want to check.
3

View passbook

Click "View" → "Passbook" (or "Service History" to see all PF accounts). Your passbook will display with year-wise contributions and interest.

Tip: Passbook shows employee + employer contributions, interest credited, and withdrawals.
4

Download PDF

Click "Download" to save the passbook as a PDF. This can be used as income/employment proof.

Tip: Save passbook PDFs annually for loan applications and visa documentation.

Online PF withdrawal (Form 31, 19, 10C)

When you can withdraw EPF:

  • Full withdrawal (Form 31): After 2 months of unemployment, retirement at age 55, or emigration
  • Partial withdrawal (Form 19): For medical emergency, home loan down payment, marriage, education (specific rules apply)
  • Advance (75% withdrawal): After 1 month of unemployment (one-time)
  • Pension withdrawal (Form 10C): Withdraw EPS contribution (if not eligible for monthly pension)
1

Ensure KYC is complete

Verify that Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account are all approved in the KYC section. Without complete KYC, online withdrawal is not possible.

Tip: Pre-validation: Aadhaar must be linked to mobile, bank account must be active and match UAN name.
2

Go to Online Services

Login to UAN portal, click "Online Services" → "Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C, 10D)."

Tip: Claim option will be greyed out if KYC is incomplete or if you haven't been unemployed for required period.
3

Select claim type

Choose the appropriate form: • <strong>Form 31 (PF Advance):</strong> Full EPF withdrawal • <strong>Form 19 (PF Withdrawal):</strong> Partial PF withdrawal • <strong>Form 10C (Scheme Certificate):</strong> Pension withdrawal

Tip: For full settlement after resignation, select Form 31 (PF Advance) + Form 19 (PF Withdrawal) + Form 10C (Pension).
4

Verify bank account

The portal will display your pre-validated bank account. Confirm it's correct (this is where your money will be transferred).

Tip: If bank details are wrong, update in KYC section first, get employer approval, then file claim.
5

Enter claim details

Enter your address and select the reason for withdrawal (unemployment, medical, home loan, etc.). For partial withdrawal, specify the amount or purpose.

Tip: For full withdrawal, check "I am unemployed for more than 2 months" to avoid tax deduction.
6

Sign with Aadhaar OTP

Click "Get Aadhaar OTP" to e-sign your claim. Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile. No need for physical signature or DSC.

Tip: If OTP doesn't work, you can download a physical copy, sign it, and submit via post (slower method).
7

Track claim status

After submission, you'll receive a claim tracking number. Go to "Track Claim Status" to monitor progress. Typical processing: 3-7 days for approval, 15-20 days for fund transfer.

Tip: Funds are transferred directly to your bank via NEFT/RTGS.

Transfer EPF to new employer

When changing jobs, transfer your old PF account to your new employer's PF trust for uninterrupted service and better retirement benefits.

1

Share UAN with new employer

Provide your 12-digit UAN to your new employer's HR during onboarding. They will link your new PF account (Member ID) to your existing UAN.

Tip: Do NOT create a new UAN — one person should have only one UAN throughout their career.
2

Verify new PF account is linked

Login to UAN portal after 7-10 days and check "Service History." Your new employer's Member ID should appear under your UAN.

Tip: If new Member ID doesn't appear, ask your employer to link it via their EPFO employer portal.
3

Request online transfer

Go to "Online Services" → "One Member - One EPF Account (Transfer Request)."

Tip: This consolidates all your PF accounts into one for easier management.
4

Select previous employer PF account

The portal will show all PF accounts linked to your UAN. Select the previous employer's account (old Member ID) that you want to transfer from.

Tip: You can transfer multiple old accounts to your current employer in one request.
5

Submit transfer request

Click "Get OTP" for Aadhaar verification, enter OTP, and submit the transfer request. No employer approval needed if KYC is complete.

Tip: Transfer is automatic and usually completes in 3-7 days.
6

Track transfer status

Check "Transfer Claim Status" to monitor progress. Once completed, your old PF balance will reflect in your new employer's PF account.

Tip: Download updated passbook to verify transferred amount.

Common mistakes to avoid

Official resources

Go to official EPFO Member Portal →

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