Understanding how to change bank accounts in EPFO is important for employees who want uninterrupted access to provident fund withdrawals, advances, and claim settlements. Incorrect or inactive bank details can delay PF processing or lead to transaction failures. Through the UAN member portal, employees can update their bank information online by completing the KYC verification process and obtaining employer approval, as applicable under EPFO procedures followed.
Key Takeaways
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EPFO members can update bank account details online through the UAN member portal.
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Aadhaar-linked KYC and correct bank details are important for successful verification.
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Employer approval was required before the updated bank account became active, but as of April 2025, it is no longer needed.
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Incorrect bank details, name mismatch, or invalid IFSC codes may delay PF claims and settlements.
Prerequisites Before Changing Bank Account Details
Before updating bank account details in the EPFO portal, employees should keep a few basic requirements ready.
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First, your UAN must be activated on the EPFO member portal.
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Second, your Aadhaar number should be linked and verified with your UAN.
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Third, the name in your bank account should match your EPFO records to prevent verification problems.
Note: As of April 2025, employer approval is no longer required for bank account seeding in EPFO. Bank details submitted through the UAN portal are now verified directly through NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India). Once verified by NPCI, the bank account is activated for PF transactions without requiring employer action.
Also Read: What is EPF?
Steps to Change Bank Account in EPFO Online
Employees can update or change their bank account details through the EPFO member portal by following these steps.
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Step 1: Visit the official EPFO member portal and log in using your UAN and password.
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Step 2: After logging in, go to the “Manage” section on the dashboard.
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Step 3: Click on the “KYC” option available in the menu.
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Step 4: Under the KYC section, select the bank option and enter your new bank account number along with the IFSC code.
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Step 5: Select the declaration checkbox after reviewing the entered details.
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Step 6: Enter the OTP and click on the “Save” option to submit the request.
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Step 7: Once submitted, the request is forwarded to the employer for verification.
Also Read: How to Find Your UAN?
How Long Does the Update Process Take?
After submitting the request, the new bank account details will appear as “Pending for Employer Approval.” The employer must verify and approve the details digitally. Once the employer approves the request, the EPFO system verifies the bank details, and the account becomes active for transactions. After submitting bank details, NPCI validates the account directly. This verification typically takes 3–5 working days, after which the bank account status updates to 'Verified' on the portal.
Note: EPFO states that members must have an active, employer‑approved bank KYC for online claims such as Form‑19, 10C, and 31.
Also Read: How to Open a PF Account?
How to Check Bank Account Status in EPFO?
After submitting a bank account update request, employees should verify whether the details have been approved and linked successfully with their PF account. This helps avoid delays during withdrawals or claim settlements.
Here is how to update bank details in EPFO and check the approval status through the UAN portal:
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Log in to the EPFO Member e-Sewa portal using your UAN and password.
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Open the “Manage” tab and select the “KYC” section from the menu.
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Under the KYC page, locate the bank account details submitted for verification.
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Check the status displayed beside the bank entry.
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“Pending for Approval” means the request is awaiting employer or EPFO verification.
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“Approved” or “Digitally Approved KYC” confirms that the bank account has been successfully verified and linked.
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If the status remains pending for several days, employees may need to contact their employer for further processing.
Also Check: EPFO KYC Update Online
Common Issues While Updating Bank Details
Employees may face delays or rejection while updating bank account information in the EPFO portal if the submitted details do not match official records. Even minor errors can affect the verification process and delay PF withdrawals or settlements.
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A name mismatch between the EPFO records and the bank account details can lead to KYC rejection.
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Entering an incorrect bank account number or IFSC code may prevent successful verification.
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Inactive or closed bank accounts cannot be approved for PF transactions.
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Employer approval delays may keep the request in pending status for several days.
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Unclear or invalid supporting documents, such as a cancelled cheque or passbook copy, can create verification issues.
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Aadhaar details not linked and verified with UAN may affect KYC processing under EPFO’s current rules.
Why Is Updating Bank Accounts in EPFO Important?
Keeping bank account details updated in the EPFO portal helps ensure that provident fund transactions are processed without delays or verification issues. Since many PF-related processes, including online claims such as Composite Claim (Aadhaar), depend on accurate banking information, maintaining updated account details offers several important benefits:
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PF withdrawals and advance claims are credited directly to the registered bank account.
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Incorrect or inactive account details may result in failed transactions or delayed settlements.
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Completing the EPFO KYC update bank account process helps maintain accurate KYC records linked with the UAN.
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Verified bank details support faster online claim processing and reduce the chances of rejection.
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Updated account information also helps employees manage PF transfers and settlements more efficiently after changing jobs.
Common Reasons for Rejection of Bank Details in EPFO
Bank account update requests in the EPFO portal may get rejected if the submitted information does not match official records or fails verification checks. Employees who understand how to change bank account in EPFO should also be aware of the common reasons that can delay approval.
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Name mismatch between EPFO records and the bank account may lead to KYC rejection during verification.
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Incorrect account number or IFSC code can prevent successful validation of bank details.
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Closed, inactive, or frozen bank accounts are not accepted for PF claim processing.
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Aadhaar details not linked properly with UAN may interrupt the KYC approval process.
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Employer approval delays can keep the request pending for an extended period.
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Unclear or invalid supporting documents, such as a cancelled cheque or passbook copy, may result in rejection.
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Joint bank accounts may not be accepted if the employee is not the primary account holder.
Checking all details carefully before submission can help reduce verification issues and ensure faster approval of updated bank information in the EPFO portal.
Conclusion
Updating bank account details in the EPFO portal is an important step for ensuring smooth PF withdrawals, claim settlements, and account verification. Employees should carefully enter accurate banking information, complete the required KYC process, and monitor approval status regularly. Maintaining updated bank details helps reduce transaction delays and supports uninterrupted access to EPF-related services as followed under EPFO procedures.
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