📌 Background
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, has announced a significant reform in the process of allotment and activation of the Universal Account Number (UAN).
As per Circular No. WSU/MemberProfilePt1/E-965649/2025-26/22 dated 30th July 2025, EPFO has made it mandatory to generate and activate UAN exclusively through the UMANG App using Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology (FAT), effective 1st August 2025.
Key Highlights of the Circular
1️⃣ Mandatory Use of UMANG App
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From 1st August 2025, all UAN allotments must be completed through the UMANG App.
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The process will rely on Aadhaar Face Authentication Technology (FAT), ensuring a fully digital and error-free mechanism.
2️⃣ Exceptions
While this mandate applies to the majority of members, there are limited exceptions:
For these cases, the existing employer-based process of UAN generation will continue.
3️⃣ Error-Free and Transparent System
The primary objective of this transition is to:
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Eliminate manual intervention and potential data entry errors.
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Ensure that each UAN is directly linked to Aadhaar for authentication and uniqueness.
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Reduce compliance disputes for employers and streamline the onboarding process for employees.
4️⃣ User Manual & Reference
EPFO has already issued a detailed user manual for UAN generation and activation through FAT-enabled UMANG App. This was initially introduced under Circular No. WSU/MemberProfile/E-710137/2025-26/17 dated 8th April 2025.
Compliance Impact for Employers & Employees
✅ For Employers:
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Must educate HR and payroll teams about the new UAN generation procedure.
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No longer allowed to create UANs manually for Indian workers (except exceptions above).
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Ensure employees have Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers and access to UMANG App.
✅ For Employees:
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Download the UMANG App from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
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Complete Aadhaar-based Face Authentication within the app.
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Use the generated UAN for all EPFO-related activities.
Advantages of the New System
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Single-Window Process: Eliminates dependency on employers for UAN creation.
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Error Reduction: No manual data mismatch issues.
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Faster Activation: Instant authentication through FAT.
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Increased Transparency: Ensures secure and auditable PF compliance.
Action Plan Before 1st August 2025
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Download UMANG App on mobile devices.
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Complete Aadhaar Face Authentication setup.
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Employers should update internal SOPs for UAN onboarding.
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Train employees on the new process to avoid delays in UAN generation.
Conclusion
This reform is a major step in EPFO’s ongoing digitization efforts, ensuring a seamless, Aadhaar-linked, and secure experience for both employers and employees. By mandating face authentication through UMANG, EPFO is aiming to eliminate duplication, reduce compliance errors, and accelerate member onboarding.
📅 Deadline: 1st August 2025 – Ensure compliance to avoid delays in UAN generation.
💡 Reference:
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EPFO Circular No. WSU/MemberProfilePt1/E-965649/2025-26/22 dated 30th July 2025
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EPFO Circular No. WSU/MemberProfile/E-710137/2025-26/17 dated 8th April 2025
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YT Community http://youtube.com/post/UgkxFNRapQ40EqGCJFcMt5KaX4ApbXv3C9Ek?si=HLzinv9adGwQ2DZ5
