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Managing your Provident Fund becomes much easier when you understand your UAN number and how it works. The UAN, or Universal Account Number, acts as a single reference for all your EPF accounts across different jobs, helping you track contributions, check balances, and manage withdrawals seamlessly. Issued by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, this 12-digit number stays the same throughout your career, regardless of job changes.
Whether you’re a new employee or switching organisations, knowing how to activate and use your UAN can save time, reduce paperwork, and give you better control over your retirement savings.
Key Takeaways
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The UAN number is a permanent 12-digit identifier that links all EPF accounts across jobs, ensuring continuity and easier fund management.
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Activating your UAN and completing KYC enables access to online EPF services, including balance checks, withdrawals, and claim tracking.
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Aadhaar linking with UAN is essential for seamless verification, faster claim processing, and uninterrupted access to EPF services.
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PF balance can be checked using UAN via portal, app, SMS, or missed call, provided your mobile number is registered.
What is a UAN Number?
The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique identification number given to all salaried employees contributing to the Employee Provident Fund (EPF). The UAN number is generated by the EPF office and assigned by your employer. It is a 12-digit number that remains constant throughout the professional life of the employee, even when they leave or change jobs. When an employee joins a new organisation, the same UAN is linked to the new employer — the UAN itself never changes or transfers.
Nowadays, it has become easier to access and track your PF account using the internet on laptops and mobile devices. Hence, apart from knowing the UAN number, one must learn the other aspects of the UAN to use it more efficiently.
Getting a UAN Number
One can get a UAN number either through their employer or by registering through the UAN portal. Usually, the employer assigns you the UAN number when you join the organisation. Sometimes it is even mentioned on your salary slip. The other option is to log in to the UAN portal and generate the UAN number using the PF Number/Member ID.
Also read about: How to Find Your UAN Online and Offline?
Find and Activate the UAN Number
If you don’t know your UAN number, you can find it in the EPFO portal.
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Visit the EPFO homepage and navigate to ‘Member UAN/Online’ services
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Fill out the details and click on ‘Get authorisation PIN’
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The OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number
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Enter the OTP into the portal
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You will get a password on your registered mobile number. Use it to access the UAN number
Also read about: UAN Login, Registration & Activation Process
How to Link Aadhaar with UAN?
Linking your Aadhaar with your UAN is essential for seamless access to EPF services and faster claim processing through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation. You can do this online or offline by following these steps:
Method 1: Via EPFO Member Portal
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Log in to the EPFO Member Portal using your UAN and password.
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Go to the ‘Manage’ tab and click on ‘KYC’.
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Select ‘Aadhaar’ and enter your Aadhaar number and name.
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Click ‘Save’ and submit.
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Your details will be verified via OTP, and your status will be updated as approved.
Method 2: Via UMANG App
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Install and open the UMANG app.
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Navigate to EPFO services and select ‘Aadhaar Seeding’.
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Enter your UAN and verify via OTP.
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Submit Aadhaar details to complete linking.
Method 3: Offline via Employer
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Fill the Aadhaar seeding form.
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Attach a self-attested Aadhaar copy.
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Submit to your employer for processing.
Learn more about: How to Link Aadhaar Card with EPF Account?
Documents Required For UAN
If you have just started your employment journey, you’ll need the following documents to obtain your UAN number.
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Bank account details, including account number, IFSC code, and branch name
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Photo identification proof such as national identity cards, driver’s licence, passports, voter ID, Aadhaar, and SSLC Book
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Address proofs like a utility bill in your name, a rental/lease agreement, a ration card, or any of the identity documents
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PAN card
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Aadhaar card, as it is linked to your bank account and mobile number
Services Offered by the Portal
Both employees and employers must log in to the PF UAN to access the portal's features. The employee needs to log in to the PF account to check the balance, view or download the passbook, and update details.
Employers need to access the UAN account to analyse account activities, meet compliance requirements, and retain account records. The UAN portal provides a unified report of all actions on the account. You can access the following services offered by the UAN portal.
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Download the passbook and the UAN card
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Check membership details
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Check the status of withdrawals, transfer claims, or system-generated claims
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Change or update the email address and phone number
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Update or upload KYC documents
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View the contact information of the UAN helpdesk
EPF Management Through UAN
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You can manage your EPF account details and track all activities using the UAN. It is a unique number, attached to all your employers - current and previous. You can use it to check the balance and track if the employer is compliant with the PF norms.
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You can log in to the EPFO e-Sewa portal to download the UAN card
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You can meet KYC requirements by uploading scanned documents on the EPF portal
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You can use the UAN number to track your PF account activities and check the status of any claim or withdrawal
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Using the UAN number to log into the PF portal, you can check the balance in your account and download the passbook
Importance of Universal Account Number
The PF UAN is quite critical for both employees and employers. Here, we have outlined the essentials of UAN.
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The UAN allows the EPFO to track changes in the organisation for the employees
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Since April 2024, EPFO automatically links the UAN to the new employer upon their first contribution, making job transitions seamless. It also helps keep track of your employment history and provides a unified report on your PF account
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The UAN e-Sewa portal facilitates and renders critical UAN services online, making it easy to access the PF account and request transfers and withdrawals
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It helps centralise employee data and makes it easier for companies to verify employee details
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The introduction of UAN has helped reduce unnecessary withdrawals by making transfers easier.
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The online availability of UAN helps confirm the authenticity of the employee's provident fund account
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Employers can’t withhold or delay PF deposits, as the details are available online
UAN Benefits to the Employee
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The introduction of UAN has significantly reduced employer involvement. Unlike before, employees can request a withdrawal or transfer online.
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After UAN, employees don't have to undergo the same process of PF account opening with a new organisation. Since April 1, 2024, EPFO automatically transfers your PF balance to your new employer's account when they make their first contribution, provided your UAN is KYC-compliant. No manual transfer request is required in most cases.
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UAN allows viewing and tracking of PF account activities online. One can also subscribe to SMS and missed call services to check their account balance.
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Employees can also download their UAN card using the online portal.
PF Balance Check with UAN/Without UAN
You can easily perform a PF balance check with UAN number using multiple methods provided by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation.
With UAN
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EPFO Portal: Log in to the Member Passbook portal using your UAN and password, then select your Member ID to view balance details.
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UMANG App: Open the UMANG app, go to EPFO services, select “View Passbook,” and verify using OTP.
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Missed Call: Give a missed call to 9966044425 from your registered mobile number. Note: For the missed call service to work, your UAN must be active and at least one KYC detail (Aadhaar, PAN, or bank account number) must be linked to your UAN.
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SMS Service: Send ‘EPFOHO <your UAN>’ to 7738299899 to receive balance details instantly. Add ‘ENG’, ‘HIN’, or the first letters of your preferred language after the UAN number.
Without UAN
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Use the UMANG app with registered mobile or Aadhaar.
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Give a missed call or send an SMS if your number is linked with EPFO.
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Check your salary slip or contact your employer/EPFO office.
Ensure your mobile number and KYC details are updated for seamless access.
Read more about: How to Check EPF Balance With and Without UAN?
How to Withdraw or Transfer with the UAN Number?
You can choose to withdraw your PF account balance when you change jobs or to meet emergency cash requirements. Here are the steps to follow to request a withdrawal or transfer PF amount using UAN. To withdraw the PF using the EPF portal, you'll need the following details
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UAN number and password
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Aadhaar card number, linked and verified with the UAN
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Bank account details for bank transfer
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Visit the EPFO e-SEWA portal and log in using your UAN number and password. Enter the captcha in the bar to proceed
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To make a withdrawal request, go to Claim in the Online Service section
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Enter bank account details
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You need to select a reason for withdrawal from the dropdown menu. It will only show options that apply to you.
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Enter the details and upload the documents. You will need to enter your complete address to proceed with the claim. Also, you may need to upload your bank passbook if you have requested an advance withdrawal.
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Click on the button to receive an OTP to your registered mobile number. Once you validate with OTP, your withdrawal claim will be processed.
Make sure that your KYC details are up-to-date. In case of any changes in KYC, update the details in the portal before processing a claim to avoid rejection.
Note: After one month of unemployment, up to 75% of the EPF balance can be withdrawn. Full withdrawal is permitted only after two months of unemployment. Withdrawals are tax-exempt only after five consecutive years of EPF membership.
UAN Customer Support
For any issue with your PF UAN account, you can reach out to the UAN customer support desk. It has separate desks dedicated to catering to different issues. The two main services provided by UAN customer support are ‘Help’ and ‘Claims’. The help centre resolves queries related to EPFO office locations, UAN, Services, Grievances, etc., while the claim section is designed to assist users with their claim processing.
Conclusion
The UAN number has transformed how employees manage their provident fund accounts by bringing everything under one unified system. With support from the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, it enables easy tracking of contributions, seamless transfers between jobs, and faster withdrawals through digital services. By activating your UAN and keeping your KYC details updated, you can access a wide range of EPF services without relying heavily on your employer.
If you are starting your career or switching jobs, understanding and using your UAN effectively ensures better control, transparency, and convenience in managing your long-term savings.
