Universal Account Number: Meaning, Benefits & Details

Seamlessly linking all your past and current PF accounts, UAN offers a unified, digital portal packed with tools to track contributions, transfer funds, update KYC, download your passbook, and monitor claims. With built-in alerts, Aadhaar-based authentication, and instant services like Face ID activation, UAN transforms provident fund management into a smooth, self-serve experience. Explore the next sections to uncover how UAN empowers you with full control over your EPF lifecycle, from seamless transfers to real-time updates and enhanced security.

What is a Universal Account Number?

A Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique 12-digit number assigned to every employee who contributes to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in India. Issued by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the UAN stays the same throughout an employee’s career — even if they change companies.

Introduced in October 2014, it is managed and authenticated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Your UAN remains constant throughout your working life. It ensures seamless portability and streamlined fund management across jobs.

Why Universal Account Number Matters?

• A Universal Account Number links all your PF accounts from different jobs under one 12?digit permanent number, so you no longer have separate PF IDs every time you change employers.
• You can check your PF balance anytime through the EPFO portal, UMANG app, or even by SMS or missed call everything is available online without needing HR’s help.
• Whenever you or your employer deposits PF money, you receive instant SMS or email alerts. This offers more transparency and allows quick detection of any missing contributions.
• Linking your UAN with Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details is mandatory. This KYC process safeguards your identity and ensures your money stays secure from fraud.
• EPFO now has a Standard Operating Procedure to freeze and unfreeze UANs if suspicious activity is detected, strengthening protection against unauthorized withdrawals or KYC changes.
• When you switch jobs, PF transfers are smoother thanks to new forms, Form 13, and paperless procedures; you can also generate UANs in bulk and activate them instantly with Face ID via the UMANG app.
• EPFO clearly warns members that it never asks for money during KYC or other services; any such request is a scam attempt.

Key Features of UAN

1. Portability across jobs

Your UAN remains unchanged throughout your career, which means all PF accounts from different employers link under this one number. This ensures a smooth transition of your retirement savings whenever you switch jobs.

2. Online passbook access

You can view and download your PF passbook anytime via the EPFO member portal or UMANG app. It shows your contributions and interest in real time, giving you complete visibility over your account.

3. SMS alerts for every deposit

Every time you or your employer contributes to your PF, you receive an SMS and email if opted in. This immediate notification helps you spot missing or delayed contributions quickly.

4. Easy KYC updates online

UAN lets you link official documents, Aadhaar, PAN, bank account, driving licence, and more through the portal. Once approved by your employer, these are digitally verified. This reduces delays in claims and prevents issues like high TDS on withdrawals.

Benefits for You

1. With your UAN, PF transfers between jobs become seamless. You no longer need to submit multiple forms or wait for employer approvals. EPFO automation, along with paperless processes like the revamped Form 13, makes sure your PF moves smoothly from one employer to another.
2. Withdrawals are getting faster and more user-friendly. EPFO’s new 3.0 system supports instant balance checks via SMS, missed calls, or the UMANG app, and plans include quick PF withdrawals via UPI or ATM expected from June 2025.
3. You can track your PF balance in real time through online passbook access, SMS alerts, missed-call service, or by logging into EPFO/UMANG. This makes it easy to monitor every contribution and keeps you informed on claim statuses.
4. Claims and withdrawals also become easier when your KYC is updated under UAN. Fully-power digitised processing means faster claim payouts and fewer delays

UAN Allotment

Discovering how and when you receive your UAN helps simplify your journey with the Employees’ Provident Fund. Below are details mentioned about the Universal Account Number allotment:

1. Who gets a UAN automatically?

Every salaried employee in India whose employer has 20 or more staff automatically receives a UAN through EPFO. There is no extra effort needed on your part. This applies whether you are a full-time hire or a contractual worker.

If you have switched jobs and already have a UAN, the same UAN is reused no new number is generated.

2. How to find your UAN

If your employer hasn't shared it, you can quickly find your UAN using the EPFO portal:

• Go to the “Know Your UAN” section on EPFO's website.
• Enter your mobile number to get an OTP.
• Provide your name, date of birth, and Aadhaar or PAN.
• Your UAN pops up on screen easily and securely.

Activation Process of Universal Account Number

To use UAN for balance checks, withdrawals, and PF transfers, you must activate it:

1. Visit the EPFO Member Portal and click Activate UAN.
2. Fill in your UAN or Member ID, Aadhaar, PAN, name, birth date, and mobile number.
3. Request an authorization PIN an OTP will be sent to your phone.
4. Enter the OTP and accept terms.
5. You will receive a password on your registered mobile and your UAN is now active.

Great news from 2025 updates: UAN activation is now instant on the UMANG app using Aadhaar-based Face ID ,you don’t need to wait.

What next after UAN activation?

Once your UAN is active, you can:

1. Link your KYC documents online like Aadhaar, PAN, and your bank account—right from the portal.
2. View your EPF passbook instantly.
3. Track contributions, file withdrawal or transfer requests anytime, paperlessly.
4. Enjoy faster processing and real-time alerts.

How to Retrieve Your UAN?

Here is how you can easily retrieve your UAN, with clear and simple steps that anyone in India can follow:

1. Through your employer

Your HR or payroll team will share your UAN when it is generated. It is often printed on your salary slip or appointment letter, just ask them if you are unsure.

2. Via the EPFO portal

• Visit the EPFO member portal and go to “Know Your UAN”.
• Provide your mobile number that is registered with EPFO, name, date of birth, and Aadhaar or PAN.
• Enter the OTP you receive, and the portal will instantly display your UAN.

3. Using the UMANG app

• Open the Umang app, select EPFO, choose “Know Your UAN”, and follow the on-screen steps.
• Enter your details and OTP, and your UAN appears right in the app.

4. By SMS

• From the registered mobile number, send:
  EPFOHO UAN to 7738299899 (for English) or append a language code like Hindi, Bengali, etc.
• You will receive an SMS with your UAN and PF details.

5. Via missed call

• Give a missed call from your registered number to 9966044425.
• You will get an SMS in response with your UAN and your latest PF contributions as long as your UAN is activated and KYC-linked.

Managing Your UAN Account

Effortlessly take charge of your PF by accessing your balance, updating your KYC, downloading your passbook, and linking Aadhaar or PAN, all from the comfort of your home.

1. 1. Checking Your PF Balance

After logging into the EPFO Member Portal or using the UMANG app, click “Download, then View Passbook” to see your contributions and interest as they post. This lets you check your EPF balance any time you like.

• 2. Updating KYC Details (Aadhaar, PAN, Bank)
• Go to Manage, then KYC on the portal.
• Tick the documents you wish to update Aadhaar, PAN, or bank account, and fill in the relevant information.
• Click Save.
• Your employer then approves it digitally, and once approved, EPFO completes verification in a few days.

This online KYC update makes claiming your PF and transfers smoother, and avoids higher TDS deductions.

1. 3. Downloading Your Passbook

Simply log in and go to Download, then Download Passbook to get a PDF copy of your EPF passbook. It shows all employer and employee contributions at a glance.

• 4. Linking Aadhaar & PAN
• On the KYC page, choose Aadhaar and enter your Aadhaar number along with the name exactly as it appears on the card.
• Similarly, choose PAN, enter the PAN number, and save. PAN is verified immediately with the Income Tax Department.
• Approved updates appear as digitally verified, and you will receive an SMS once each KYC is confirmed.
  5. Why These Steps Matter

Maintaining updated KYC helps you access PF benefits faster and avoid delays. It ensures lower tax cuts on withdrawals, enables smooth PF transfers between jobs, and helps you use digital features without employer intervention.

Common Issues & Solutions

Here are the common issues you might face with your UAN and practical solutions to tackle them:

1. Activation Hiccups

Many users face portal slowdowns, cache errors, or server issues when activating UAN. To avoid this: clear your browser cache, switch to Chrome or Firefox, or try activating during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening.

2. Name Mismatch Between Aadhaar and UAN

If your name in the EPFO portal doesn't match exactly with Aadhaar even a missing dot or space, activation and KYC linking fail. You must file a joint declaration form through your employer to request a correction. EPFO usually takes around a month to update the record.

3. Multiple UANs and Account Merging

Sometimes, changing jobs leads to multiple UANs, a situation that can derail claim processing. To resolve this, you need to deactivate the old UAN and merge EPF accounts either by emailing EPFO, or using the UAN portal under “One Member –One EPF Account”.

4. Account Access / Portal Glitches

If you are unable to check your passbook, log in, or see errors in KYC status, follow this checklist:

• Verify your mobile is linked correctly
• Ensure KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, bank) is approved
• Clear browser cache or use another device
• Use SMS or missed-call services as backups
• If issues persist, lodge a grievance on EPFiGMS or call the EPFO helpline

5. Account Handling by Exempted Trusts

If your company manages PF through its trust, not EPFO, your UAN may not show any balance or transactions on the EPFO portal. In such cases, request your HR or PF in-charge for a statement directly from the trust.

Recent EPFO Updates

EPFO has rolled out several user-friendly features in 2025, making PF management smoother, faster, and more secure for every salaried Indian.

• Bulk UAN Generation without Aadhaar

Employers can now generate UANs in bulk even if employees haven’t seeded their Aadhaar. This helps clean up records, such as when exempted trusts surrender excess funds or in recovery cases. This ensures PF contributions are correctly credited without delays.

• Instant UAN Activation with Face ID

You can now generate and activate your UAN instantly using Face Authentication Technology on the UMANG app. Just open the app, select “UAN Allotment and Activation,” use your Aadhaar number and OTP, and capture your photo. You will get your UAN by SMS and can immediately start using the account.

• Revamped Form 13 for Easier PF Transfers

The updated Form 13 now clearly separates taxable and non-taxable PF interest while removing the need for employer approval in most cases. This makes it simpler to transfer your PF between jobs and reduces processing time.

Conclusion

Your Universal Account Number simplifies your entire PF journey, from seamlessly linking accounts, enabling real-time tracking, easy KYC updates, quick transfers, and strong security. And if navigating PF and ESIC feels complex, Online Legal India is ready to help. With years of experience, our team of qualified CAs and CSs offers end-to-end support for ESIC & PF registration and return filing on your behalf, ensuring full legal compliance from anywhere in India. Visit Online Legal India today.