The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on January 17th 2025 issued a circular introducing a new facility allowing members to delink any erroneously linked Member ID (MID) from their Universal Account Number (UAN).
This move comes after reports that several employees had MIDs linked to their UAN without their knowledge. The facility aims to give members greater control over their EPFO records.
What is UAN?
UAN (Universal Account Number) is a unique 12-digit number issued by EPFO to all eligible salaried employees. It acts as an umbrella under which all your Member IDs (MIDs) are linked, making it easier for employees to track their provident fund contributions and history across multiple employers.
Why the Need for Delinking?
In some instances, individuals end up with multiple UANs or incorrect MIDs linked to their accounts. According to EPFO regulations, every individual is allowed only one UAN in their lifetime, and these multiple IDs or wrongly linked MIDs can cause confusion. The new facility enables employees to delink incorrect MIDs from their UAN, ensuring that only the correct records are associated with their account.
Steps to Delink a Wrongly Linked Member ID
EPFO has outlined a straightforward process for delinking MIDs through its Unified Portal. Here’s how to do it:
STEP 1 : Login to the Member Interface
- Visit the EPFO member portal: Unified Member Portal
- Enter your UAN, password, and captcha to sign in.
STEP 2 : OTP Verification
- Once logged in, an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.
- Enter the OTP to proceed.
STEP 3 : Access Service History
- Navigate to the “View” menu and select the “Service History” sub-menu.
STEP 4 : View and Delink Member ID
- On the Service History page, identify the wrongly linked Member ID.
- Click the Delink button next to the incorrect record.
STEP 5 : Confirm the Action
- A confirmation prompt will appear. Click OK to proceed.
STEP 6 : Provide Employment Status and Consent
- You will need to specify the reason for delinking and provide the required consents by checking the necessary boxes.
- Click Get OTP to continue.
STEP 7 : OTP for Delinking
- An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number for verification.
- Enter the OTP to complete the process.
STEP 8 : Successful Delinking
- If the verification is successful, the Member ID will be delinked, and a confirmation message will appear.
- The delinked ID will no longer appear in your service history.
Important Notes:
- Ensure that your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active and accessible for OTP verification.
- Double-check the details before proceeding to avoid mistakes.
- In case of errors, such as a pending Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) against the Member ID, the delinking will not proceed. You will receive an error message and be redirected to your Service History.
This new facility empowers employees to manage their EPFO records more effectively, eliminating the issue of wrongly linked Member IDs. Members are encouraged to follow the steps carefully to ensure the delinking process goes smoothly. If issues persist, EPFO provides support for resolving technical glitches or errors.
