Effective August 1, 2025, new rules have been released by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) that make the experience of managing your Provident Fund (PF) account more convenient, safer and digital savvy.
UAN Generation Now Through Face Scan
It now has much of the changes to do with how you receive your Universal Account Number or UAN a unique numbers attached to you that allow you to track your PF even in shift changes of junk. Henceforth to create or activate your UAN you will be required to do this via the UMANG app and undertake a face scan with your Aadhaar. This means:
Your employer is not necessary in the creation of the UAN( with verifiable exceptions such as foreign workers).
It can be done by yourself with the help of your smartphone.
It happens at a quicker and safer pace.
Impact on Workers.
To employees, this increment is to mean:
Quicker access to services PF services such as checking balance, updating KYC and for filing claims.
No documentation and waiting on an employer.
Instant activation of your UAN when you do the registration.
Nevertheless, certain workers might be having difficulties in taking the face scan particularly those who lack smartphones or the internet.
Impact on Employers
It is a worry to many companies particularly in the staffing sectors. The new regulation has already led to delays in the recruitment of new workers owing to:
The face scan will not be accomplished by every worker.
No UAN, means no processing of salaries and PF contribution.
The deadlines of compliance and payroll cycles are affected.
Impact on EPFO and Banks
With this update, EPFO will lessen the profile of mistakes and enhance security. People will now be able to rely increasingly on Aadhaar-linked data being used by banks and EPFO systems, but expect this to need a beefed-up tech support system and enhanced connectivity.
Benefits of the New Rule
A quicker and UAN generation with the capacity to make no error.
Employer does not have to be involved
Safe Aadhaar-based verification
Greater convenience to PF services
Final Thoughts
The new EPFO rules will make the PF management more digital and easy to operate. Though they come with numerous advantages, its successful use will rely on the ease of adoption of the technology by the workers and employers. You should ensure that you download the UMANG app and complete your face authentication should you be joining a new job or updating your PF details.