The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit unique identifier assigned by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. The UAN remains constant throughout an employee’s career, ensuring that all provident fund (PF) accounts across different employers are linked under one unique number. This allows for seamless management of EPF contributions, withdrawals, and transfers.
When an employee changes jobs, the EPFO assigns a new member ID that is linked to their existing UAN. This mechanism prevents multiple PF accounts and simplifies access to EPF benefits.
Why is UAN Activation Important?
Activating UAN is mandatory for employees seeking benefits under the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme. The Government of India introduced this scheme in 2024 to incentivise first-time employment. EPFO enrolment and UAN activation are essential to receive the subsidy under the scheme.
To facilitate participation, EPFO has extended the deadline for UAN activation and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts to February 15, 2025.
How to Activate UAN Online?
Employees can activate their UAN through the EPFO portal by following these steps:
- Visit the EPFO Portal: Go to the official EPFO/UAN Member Portal.
- Click ‘Activate UAN’: This option is available under the ‘Important Links’ section.
- Provide Details: Enter your UAN, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, mobile number, and captcha code.
- Authorisation PIN: Tick the consent box and click ‘Get Authorisation PIN’.
- Verify Details: Review the displayed information to ensure accuracy.
- OTP Verification: Tick the ‘I Agree’ checkbox and enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number.
- Activation Confirmation: Once the OTP is validated, your UAN will be activated, and a password will be sent to your registered mobile number for future logins.
How to Log in to the EPFO Portal Using UAN?
Once UAN is activated, employees can access EPF services through the EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal:
- Go to the EPFO/UAN portal.
- Enter your UAN and password (sent to your registered mobile number).
- Solve the captcha and click ‘Sign In’.
- Reset your password (optional) for enhanced security.
How to Activate UAN Using Aadhaar-based OTP?
Alternatively, UAN activation can be completed using an Aadhaar-based OTP:
- Visit the EPFO Member Portal.
- Select ‘Activate UAN’ under the ‘Important Links’ section.
- Provide Details: Enter your UAN, Aadhaar number, full name, date of birth, and Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Ensure Aadhaar-Mobile Linkage: Make sure your mobile number is linked with Aadhaar for authentication.
- Consent to OTP Verification: Accept the Aadhaar-based OTP verification.
- Generate OTP: Click ‘Get Authorisation PIN’ to receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
- Finalise Activation: Enter the received OTP to complete the process.
- Receive Login Credentials: A password will be sent to your registered mobile number for future access.
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