EPFO has introduced a major digital update for PF account holders.
Employees can now generate, activate and authenticate their Universal Account Number (UAN) directly through the UMANG app using Aadhaar-based face authentication.
The new facility means employees no longer need to depend on physical paperwork or manual verification for these tasks.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment announced the update, saying EPFO members can complete the process from their mobile phones.
Once the UAN is activated, users can access several PF services, including checking their EPF balance, downloading the passbook, tracking claims and updating KYC details.
How to Generate a New UAN on UMANG
The new service can be especially useful for employees entering the EPF system for the first time.
To generate a UAN, you will need a valid Aadhaar number, an Aadhaar-linked mobile number and the Aadhaar Face RD app.
Here is how the process works:
Open the UMANG app and select “UAN Allotment and Activation.”
Enter your Aadhaar number and mobile number and provide consent for Aadhaar verification.
An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
The system will check whether a UAN is already connected to your Aadhaar.
If no existing UAN is found, you will be taken to the face-authentication process.
Give the required consent and complete the face scan using the Aadhaar Face RD app.
After successful verification, a new UAN will be generated and sent to your registered mobile number.
Already Have a UAN? You Can Activate It From Your Phone
Employees who already have a UAN but have never activated it can also complete the process through UMANG.
Select the “UAN Activation” option and enter your UAN, Aadhaar number and mobile number.
After OTP verification, you will need to complete face authentication through the UIDAI system.
Once the verification is successful, your UAN will be activated. You will receive the UAN and a temporary password through SMS.
Your verified photograph and address can also be automatically updated in EPFO records.
Existing UAN Holders Get Face Authentication Too
EPFO has also added a “Face Authentication of Already Activated UANs” option.
This allows members with an already active UAN to complete identity verification through face authentication.
The UIDAI system verifies the member’s identity and retrieves the relevant Aadhaar and UAN information. The verified details are then used to update EPFO records automatically.
This removes the need for a separate authentication process.
What If Face Authentication or OTP Fails?
Users may sometimes face issues such as an incorrect Aadhaar or mobile number, OTP delays, face-authentication failure or a message saying that a UAN already exists.
In such cases, users can check their details, request another OTP or repeat the face scan.
If the issue continues, they should contact the EPFO helpdesk or support team.
What Is the Aadhaar Face RD App?
The Aadhaar Face RD app is an official UIDAI application used for facial authentication.
It allows identity verification without requiring a fingerprint or iris-scanning device.
The app uses your smartphone’s front camera to capture a live facial image and verifies it against the identity information held by UIDAI.
With this new EPFO facility, several important PF-related tasks can now be completed digitally from a smartphone, making the UAN process faster and more convenient for employees.
