The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has introduced a major upgrade to how Universal Account Numbers (UAN) are created and activated.
The entire process is now becoming fully digital, with Aadhaar-based face authentication made mandatory.
This change is aimed at making the system more secure, faster, and easier for employees.
From now on, employees can generate and activate their UAN directly using the UMANG app, without depending on their employer.
What Has Changed in the UAN Process?
Under the new rules, face authentication technology (FAT) linked with Aadhaar is now required for UAN generation and activation.
This system verifies identity using both Aadhaar details and facial recognition.
Earlier, employees had to rely on their employers to create their UAN.
Now, they can complete the entire process on their own through the UMANG app.
This updated system became mandatory from August 1, 2025.
The goal is to reduce errors, prevent fake accounts, and improve overall security in EPFO services.
The UAN is a 12-digit unique number that stays the same throughout an employee’s career and is linked to their Provident Fund account.
How to Generate or Activate UAN Using the New System
Employees can now complete UAN activation in a few simple steps using their smartphone.
First, they need to download the UMANG app and the Aadhaar Face RD app.
Inside the UMANG app, they must select the “UAN Allotment and Activation” option under EPFO services.
Next, they enter their Aadhaar number and the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
After OTP verification, the system asks for face authentication.
Once the face scan is successfully completed, the UAN is automatically generated or activated.
Benefits of the New Digital System
The biggest advantage of this new process is convenience.
Employees no longer need to visit offices or depend on employers to create their UAN.
It also makes EPFO services faster and more accurate.
Tasks such as KYC updates, passbook downloads, and claim processing are expected to become smoother and quicker.
EPFO says this move supports the Digital India initiative by making PF-related services more transparent, secure, and user-friendly.
While some concerns have been raised about possible technical issues, the system is expected to improve over time with updates and refinements.
Overall, this is a major step toward simplifying provident fund services and giving employees more control over their accounts.
