The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on April 3rd 2025 has announced a major simplification in the process of seeding bank account details with the Universal Account Number (UAN), effective immediately. This move aims to speed up the settlement of claims and reduce the administrative burden on both employees and employers.
Key Changes Introduced:
No Need to Upload Cheque Leaf or Attested Bank Passbook:
Employees will no longer be required to upload images of their cheque leaf or attested bank passbook when filing online claims. This change applies as long as the bank account seeded with the UAN has been validated by the concerned bank or the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Employer Approval No Longer Required for Bank Account Seeding:
The EPFO has removed the need for employer approval in the bank account seeding process. This means employees can now update and seed their bank account details directly without waiting for employer authorization.
Auto-Approval of Pending Requests:
All pending bank KYC (Know Your Customer) seeding requests at the employer level will be auto-approved following the verification process by the bank or NPCI. This will significantly reduce delays in claim processing and improve efficiency.
Why This Matters:
The changes are part of EPFO’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations, minimize claim rejections, and enhance the ease of doing business for both employers and employees. Previously, the requirement to upload additional documents often led to delays and unnecessary rejections of claims.
With these updates, employees can expect faster processing of their EPF and pension claims, improving overall satisfaction and reducing paperwork. Employers, too, will benefit from reduced administrative responsibilities related to KYC approvals.
Next Steps for Employees:
- Ensure your bank account is already seeded with your UAN.
- Verify the bank account details with your bank or NPCI for validation.
- File your claims online without the need to upload cheque leaves or attested passbooks.
This significant policy shift reflects EPFO’s commitment to digital transformation and efficiency, paving the way for a more user-friendly experience for all stakeholders.
