EPFO shifts UAN activation to UMANG app after member portal upgrade
Synopsis
EPFO has quietly but significantly shifted UAN activation off its own portal and onto the UMANG app, making Aadhaar-based face authentication mandatory for millions of PF subscribers. Paired with a new 25% minimum balance rule for partial withdrawals effective June 2026, this marks a structural tightening of how India's largest retirement savings body manages member access and fund security.
Key Takeaways
EPFO has moved UAN activation and allotment exclusively to the UMANG app , effective 4 July 2025 .
Aadhaar-based Face Authentication (FAT) is now mandatory for all UAN services on UMANG.
Death claim settlements are unaffected; nominees and legal heirs continue using the existing claims process.
The upgraded portal now supports easier UAN recovery via OTP and identity proof upload.
Under the EPF Scheme, 2026 (effective 29 June 2026 ), members must maintain a minimum 25% balance before making any partial withdrawal.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has restored its upgraded Unified Member Portal following scheduled maintenance, but has permanently moved Universal Account Number (UAN) activation and allotment services to the government's UMANG app. The change, effective as of 4 July 2025, means PF subscribers can no longer activate or generate a UAN through the EPFO website.
What Has Changed for PF Members
UAN activation and new UAN generation — previously accessible via the EPFO member portal — are now exclusively available through the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app. To use these services, members must complete Aadhaar-based Face Authentication (FAT) within the application. EPFO has clarified that the suspension of UAN activation on the Member Portal does not affect death claim settlements, with eligible nominees and legal heirs continuing to file claims through the existing process.
How to Activate or Generate a UAN on UMANG
To activate an existing UAN, members must download the UMANG app, navigate to EPFO services, and select 'UAN Activation' under 'UAN Services Through Face Authentication,' then complete the Aadhaar face authentication and follow on-screen instructions.
To generate a new UAN, employees must open UMANG, go to EPFO services, choose 'UAN Allotment and Activation,' complete Aadhaar face authentication, and follow the prompts. Employees who already hold an EPF account but were never allotted a UAN must verify their registered mobile number, enter required member details, and complete verification — after which the newly generated UAN will be linked to their existing EPF account.
Retrieving a Forgotten UAN
The upgraded system has also simplified UAN recovery. Members can enter their registered mobile number, upload the required identity or address proof, and verify the OTP sent to their phone. Upon successful verification, the UAN is recovered and accessible.
New EPF Partial Withdrawal Rules from June 2026
Separately, the newly notified Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 2026 introduced revised partial withdrawal provisions effective 29 June 2026. Under the updated framework, members must retain a minimum balance of 25 per cent of their eligible member balance in their EPF account before initiating any partial withdrawal. The minimum withdrawal amount is calculated only after this mandatory reserve is set aside — a significant change that affects how members plan emergency or purpose-based withdrawals.
What This Means Going Forward
The migration of UAN services to UMANG is part of a broader government push to consolidate citizen-facing services on a single mobile platform. For the estimated 7 crore-plus active EPFO subscribers, the shift means Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication is now a non-negotiable step for account access. This comes amid EPFO's ongoing effort to reduce fraud and duplicate UAN issuance, which has been a persistent compliance challenge. Members yet to link their Aadhaar to their EPF account may face additional friction in completing the face authentication step.
Point of View
Meanwhile, is a quiet but consequential change: it limits liquidity precisely for the members — lower-income workers facing medical or housing emergencies — who most depend on EPF as a short-term safety net. Both changes deserve wider public communication than a portal notice.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I no longer activate my UAN on the EPFO website?
EPFO has shifted UAN activation and allotment services from its Unified Member Portal to the government's UMANG app as part of a security and platform consolidation move. Members must now use the UMANG app and complete Aadhaar-based face authentication to activate or generate a UAN.
How do I activate my UAN on the UMANG app?
Download the UMANG app, go to EPFO services, and select 'UAN Activation' under 'UAN Services Through Face Authentication.' Complete the Aadhaar face authentication and follow the on-screen steps to activate your UAN.
Are death claims and settlements affected by this change?
No. EPFO has clarified that the suspension of UAN activation on the Member Portal does not affect death claim settlements. Eligible nominees and legal heirs can continue filing claims through the existing process.
What are the new EPF partial withdrawal rules effective June 2026?
Under the EPF Scheme, 2026, members must retain a minimum balance of 25 per cent of their eligible member balance before making any partial withdrawal. The withdrawal amount is calculated only after this mandatory reserve is set aside, effective 29 June 2026.
What if I have an EPF account but was never given a UAN?
Such employees can use the UMANG app to generate a new UAN by selecting 'UAN Allotment and Activation' under EPFO services, completing Aadhaar face authentication, verifying their registered mobile number, and entering required member details. The new UAN will be linked to the existing EPF account.
