Changing jobs often creates a common problem for employees — forgetting details of old PF (Provident Fund) accounts.
Many people lose track of their previous PF accounts, especially if they changed jobs multiple times or had accounts before the introduction of the UAN system.
To solve this issue, the government has introduced a new digital platform called E-PRAAPTI.
This portal will help EPF members find their old inactive accounts, access their money, and transfer funds to their active UAN (Universal Account Number) account.
How Will E-PRAAPTI Portal Work?
The new portal uses Aadhaar-based authentication to verify the identity of EPF members.
After successful verification, users can:
Locate their old and inactive PF accounts.
Transfer old PF balances to their current UAN account.
Claim money from old PF accounts.
Complete the process digitally without visiting offices.
The portal is designed to make the process faster and easier for employees who have correct details of their old PF accounts.
However, members who do not remember their old PF account number or identification details may not be able to use this facility currently.
The government has said there is no proposal at present to expand the portal for such cases.
Benefits of the New PF Account Recovery System
The E-PRAAPTI portal is expected to reduce paperwork and make PF-related services more convenient.
Some major benefits include:
Faster settlement of old inactive PF accounts.
Less dependence on manual processes.
Digital submission of KYC update-related joint declaration forms.
More transparent and hassle-free PF transfer process.
This will be especially helpful for employees who frequently switch jobs and previously had to deal with lengthy procedures to recover their old PF money.
Why Was a Separate Portal Needed?
Before this system, many employees faced difficulties in tracking old PF accounts.
People often forgot account details after changing jobs, while others had PF accounts created before the UAN system was introduced.
The main aim of E-PRAAPTI is to simplify the process of finding, transferring, and settling old PF balances without unnecessary paperwork or delays.
With this new digital facility, EPF members can manage their old accounts more easily and access their hard-earned savings with fewer difficulties.
