Universal Account Number (UAN): How to Know and Activate UAN Online?

Universal Account Number (UAN) is important for EPF account holders as it is required to operate the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) related services online. Accessing your PF account services like PF withdrawal, checking EPF balance, and PF loan application is easy by logging into the EPFO portal using the UAN. This article covers everything about your Universal Account Number.

What is UAN?

The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit unique number assigned to every employee contributing to the EPF. It is generated and allotted by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and authenticated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. An employee’s UAN remains the same throughout his/her work life, irrespective of the number of job changes. 

Every time an employee switches his/her job, EPFO allot a new member identification number or EPF Account (ID) linked to the UAN. As an employee, one can request a new member ID by submitting the UAN to the new employer. Once the member ID is created, it gets linked to the employee’s UAN. Hence, the UAN will act as an umbrella for the multiple member IDs allotted to the employee by different employers. 

The UAN remains the same and portable throughout the life of an employee. The employee shall have a different member ID when switching between jobs. All such member IDs are linked to the employee’s UAN to ease the process of EPF transfers and withdrawals.

Features of UAN

• UAN helps to centralise employee data in the country.
• It reduces the burden of employee verification by the EPF organisation from companies and employers.
• It is useful for EPFO to track multiple job switches of the employee.
• Untimely and early EPF withdrawals have reduced considerably with the introduction of UAN.
• Many PF e-services can be accessed through UAN, such as:
  • Viewing and downloading the PF passbook.
  • Get details of the organisations, such as organisation name, date of joining and Employee’s Pension Scheme (EPS) details.
  • Download the UAN card.
  • Update KYC details.
  • Update basic details.
  • Apply for PF or EPS withdrawal.
  • Merge two member IDs.
  • Track EPF claim status.

Advantages of UAN to Employees

• Every new PF account created when joining a new job or company will come under the umbrella of a single unified account.
• It is easy to withdraw (fully or partially) PF online with the UAN.
• You can check the PF balance of all your EPF accounts in a single place.
• You can view and download the EPF passbook online, which contains the details of EPF contributions, EPS contributions and PF interest credit.
• You can transfer or merge old EPF accounts to the current EPF account online. 
• You can download your PF statement online from anywhere at your convenience. 
• You can also check your EPFO claim status online by logging into the EPF member portal using your UAN.

How to Obtain UAN for EPF?

An employer must register on EPFO if there are 20 or more employees. If the old employer has already assigned the UAN, the employee should provide such details to the new employer. However, for employees joining the service for the first time, the employer needs to generate the UAN for the employee. To generate a new UAN for the employee, the employer has to follow the below steps:

• Sign in to Employer’s EPF Portal using the Username and password.
• In the ‘Member’ section, click on the ‘Register Individual’ tab.
• Enter the employee’s details such as Aadhaar, PAN, bank details, Aadhaar, etc.
• Approve all details in the ‘Approval’ section.
• EPFO generates a new UAN of the employee, and the employer can link the PF account with the UAN of the employee.

How to Know Your UAN?

Through your employer

When you start a job for the first time, your employer will enroll you in the EPF. The EPFO will allot the Universal Account Number and send it to your employer. Thus, you can get to know your UAN and member ID from your employer or HR department. However, only PF-registered employers can enroll you under EPF and issue UAN.

Through Salary Slip 

Employers usually include the UAN Number in the employees’ salary slips. You can check your salary slip issued by the employer or company to find out your UAN.

Through the UAN portal using PF number/Member ID

If you are not able to find your UAN (Universal Account Number) from the employer or salary slip, you can obtain it through the UAN portal. Simply follow the steps below:

Step 1: Visit the UAN/ EPFO portal

Step 2: Click on the tab ‘Know your UAN’. The following page will appear.

Step 3: Enter your registered mobile number and captcha for verification. Click on the button ‘Request OTP’. Enter the OTP and captcha code and click on the ‘Validate OTP’ button.

Step 4: It will redirect you to enter your name, DOB, PAN/Aadhaar/member ID, and captcha for verification. After entering all the details, click on the button ‘Show my UAN’.

Step 5: Your UAN number will be displayed on the screen.

How to Activate UAN Online?

To activate UAN, you must have your Universal Account Number or PF member ID with you. Given below are the steps to activate UAN on the EPFO portal:

Step 1: Go to the UAN portal and click on ‘Activate UAN’ under the ‘Important Links’ heading.

Step 2: Select the UAN option, enter your UAN, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, mobile number, and captcha code, tick the consent box, and click on the ‘Get Authorisation Pin’ button.

Step 3: A new screen will appear on your desktop, where your details will be displayed. Make sure that all the information is correct.

Step 4: Now, you will have to click on the ‘I Agree’ checkbox. Enter the four-digit OTP and click on ‘Validate OTP and Activate UAN’.

Step 5: Once the OTP is verified, the UAN will be activated.

Upon UAN activation, you will receive a password on your registered mobile number to log in to your account. 

How to Login to the EPFO Portal using UAN?

After activating your UAN and receiving the password on your mobile number, you can log in to the UAN or EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal and access online PF services. Follow the below steps to log in to the EPFO account:

Step 1: Visit the EPFO/ UAN portal.

Step 2: Enter the UAN and password you received on your mobile number.

Step 3: Enter the captcha code and click on ‘Sign In’.

Step 4: Once you log in, you can reset your password.

How to Download UAN Card Online

A valid EPF number can easily download the UAN card by following the steps mentioned below:

• Log into the EPFO portal by entering your UAN and password.
• Under the ‘View’ tab, select ‘UAN Card’.
• The page will then display the card linked to your account.
• Click on the ‘Download’ option displayed on the top right-hand side of your screen.

How to Reset Your UAN Password?

Step 1: Navigate to the UAN portal. 

Step 2: Choose the ‘Forgot Password’ option. 

Step 3: Enter your UAN and the displayed captcha details and click on the ‘Submit’ button.

Step 4: Enter your name, gender, and date of birth and click on the ‘Verify’ button.

Step 5: Enter your Aadhaar number, and captcha code, and click on the ‘Verify’ option.

Step 6: Once the details you have entered get validated, key in the mobile number in the box provided and click on ‘Get OTP’.     

Step 7: An OTP will be sent to the mobile number you have entered. Key in your OTP and click on ‘Verify’.

Step 8: You will now have the option to change your password. The password must be entered twice in the boxes provided. Once you enter the new password details, click on ‘Submit.’     

On clicking the ‘Submit’ option, the password will be updated on the EPFO portal.

PF Balance Check with UAN Number

You can check your EPF balance with your UAN number. After logging in using UAN, you can view the member passbook on the Unified member portal.

PF Balance Check without UAN Number

You can check your PF balance without a UAN number in the following ways:

PF balance check by missed call: You can check your EPF balance by giving a missed call to 9966044425 from the registered mobile number. You will receive a text message with your PF balance details. 

PF balance check by sending an SMS: You can check your PF balance by sending a message containing ‘EPFOHO UAN ENG’ . Here, UAN means your personal UAN and ENG is the first three letters of your preferred language.

For more details regarding how to check PF balance with or without UAN number click here.

How to Link Aadhaar With UAN?

The employee should follow the below steps to link UAN with Aadhaar:

Step 1: Visit the EPFO portal.

Step 2: Enter UAN, password, and captcha to ‘Sign in’ to the portal.

Step 3: Under the ‘Manage’ tab on the top panel, click on ‘KYC’

Step 4: Tick the check box in front of Aadhaar, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and name, and save the details.

Step 5: After submitting, your details will reflect under the ‘Pending KYC’ tab. Once the employer approves, it will reflect under the ‘Approved KYC’ tab (It will generally take 15 days for approval).

Linking your Aadhaar to the EPF account will help in faster processing of the withdrawal and transfer process. The present employer should approve and verify the KYC, including the employee’s Aadhaar details.

How to Change/Update Personal Details in the UAN Portal?

An employee can change or update his/her personal details, such as name, date of birth, mobile number and e-mail ID by logging into the UAN portal. However, the details to be updated should match the details on the Aadhaar card, else it will not be updated on the UAN portal. The employer must give their approval for updating the name and date of birth.

Change/update name and date of birth on the UAN portal

Below are the steps to update the name and date of birth on the UAN portal:

Step 1: Visit the UAN Portal.

Step 2: Enter your UAN number, password, captcha code and click on the ‘Sign In’ button.

Step 3: Click on the ‘Manage’ tab and click on the ‘Joint Declaration’ option. 

Step 4: Select your member ID and click ‘Get Details’.

Step 5: Your details will be displayed on the screen. Here, you can enter your updated details, such as your name, date of birth, gender, father/mother name, relationship, marital status and nationality by clicking on the pen icon under the ‘Changes Requested’ column, tick on the consent for joint declaration and click on the ‘Proceed’ button.

Step 6: Upload the required documents and click ‘Proceed’. Review and submit the application for changes.

Step 7: A message will be displayed as ‘Pending approval by Employer’.

Step 8: Contact your employer and ask them to approve your changes.

Step 9: Once the employer approves the changes, the EPFO office will approve the changes and update your personal details on the UAN portal, including your name and date of birth.

Change/update mobile number and e-mail ID on the UAN portal

Below are the steps to update the mobile number and e-mail ID on the UAN portal:

Step 1: Visit the UAN Portal.

Step 2: Enter your UAN number, password, and captcha code and click on the ‘Sign In’ button.

Step 3: Click on the ‘Manage’ tab and click on the ‘Contact Details’ option.

Step 4: You will now see an option to change your mobile number or email ID. Select the ‘Change Mobile Number’ or ‘Change E-mail ID’ option.

Step 5:  Once you select the ‘Change Mobile Number’ or ‘Change E-mail ID’ option, additional boxes will be displayed. You will be prompted to input your new mobile number or e-mail ID twice. Next, click on the ‘Get Mobile OTP’ or ‘Get Authorization Pin’ button.

Step 6: Once you receive the OTP on your new mobile number, input it and click on ‘Submit’. On clicking submit, your new mobile number or e-mail ID will be updated on the EPFO portal.

How to Update Mobile Number When You have Forgotten Your Password?

Step 1: Visit the UAN Portal.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Forgot Password’ option.

Step 3: Enter your UAN and the displayed captcha details and click on the ‘Submit’ button.

Step 4: Enter your name, gender, and date of birth and click on the ‘Verify’ button.   

Step 5: Enter your Aadhaar number, and captcha code, and click on the ‘Verify’ button.

Step 6: Once the details you have entered get validated, key in the new mobile number linked with your Aadhaar in the box provided and click on the ‘Get OTP’ button.

Step 7: An OTP will be sent to the new mobile number you have entered. Key in your OTP and click on ‘Verify’.

Step 8: You will now get an option to change your password. The password must be entered twice in the boxes as provided. Once you enter the new password details, click on ‘Submit’. On clicking the ‘Submit’ option, the mobile number and the password will be updated on the EPFO portal.

UAN Portal Services

The EPFO portal offers the below online services to EPF account holders.

View Service

EPF account holders can get information related to their EPF accounts from this service.

Profile 

EPF account holders can view the following information by clicking the ‘Profile’ option under the ‘View’ tab:

• UAN Number
• Name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Father’s/Husband’s name
• Mobile number
• Email ID
• Whether you are an international worker
• Qualification
• Marital status
• Current and permanent address
• Differently abled or not

Service History

When employees change organisations, each organisation creates a different PF number under the same UAN. EPF account holders can view all the details of their PF numbers created under a UAN by clicking the ‘Service History’ option under the ‘View’ tab. 

UAN Card Download

EPF account holders can view and download their UAN card by clicking on the ‘UAN card’ option.

EPF Passbook

When the employee clicks on the ‘EPF Passbook’ option, a new tab will open. On the new tab, employees have to enter their UAN, password and captcha code and login to view the EPF passbook. The EPF passbook will contain details of the contribution amount to EPF and EPS, date of contribution and total amount. 

Manage Service

EPF account holders can change their PF account details through the ‘Manage’ tab. 

Joint Declaration

Employees can change their personal details, such as name and date of birth, gender, father/mother name, relationship, marital status and nationality, recorded on the PF account by clicking on the ‘Manage’ tab and selecting the ‘Joint Declaration’ option (as shown above). Please note that to change personal details on the EPF record, a joint declaration must be submitted by the employee and the employer. Thus, your employer must approve the changes and submit to the EPFO for updation of your personal details. 

Contact details

Employees can change their mobile number and Email ID recorded on the PF account by clicking on the ‘Manage’ tab and selecting the ‘Contact Details’ option. Employer approval is not required to update your mobile number and Email ID. Thus, they will be updated immediately once the EPFO approves them.

KYC

By clicking on the ‘KYC’ option, a member can complete the KYC details for their PF account online, such as their bank account, PAN number, and Passport.

E-Nomination

EPF account holders can add nominees online by clicking the ‘E-Nomination’ option. They can complete the e-nomination for PF accounts by providing the required details online.

Mark Exit

Employees can update or change their exit date by clicking on the ‘Mark Exit’ option under the ‘Manage’ tab. Exit date is the date of leaving an organisation or company. This date is important for PF withdrawal.

Account

Employees can change EPFO portal password, by clicking the ‘Password’ option on the ‘Account’ tab.

Online Services

Claim (Form 31, 19 and 10C&10D)

EPF account holders can apply for partial or full withdrawal of PF funds online through this option. However, they must complete the KYC before applying for withdrawal of PF amount.

One Member One EPF Account (Transfer request)

Employees can use this option to transfer and merge their various PF accounts. They should update their KYC details before applying for this.

Track EPF Claim Status

After applying for EPF withdrawal claim, employees can check their EPF claim status through this option.

Download Annexure K

When an employee wants to transfer PF amount from an exempted to an unexempted establishment, they must fill the Annexure K. They can download the Annexure K form through this option.

UAN Customer Care Number

Click here to know customer care number details of EPFO regional offices.

UAN Helpdesk Email ID: employeefeedback@epfindia.gov.in   

Related Content: 
Aadhar PAN Link  
UIDAI    
Income Tax Guide 
ITR Filing Due Dates 
ITR-U Form 
SIP Calculator 
PF Claim Status 
How to Find PF Account Number 
PF Balance Check  
PF Transfer- Online Form and Procedure         
Employee Provident Fund Organisation  
Income Tax Customer Care       
Income Tax  
SIP Calculator   
PF Calculator 
PF Withdrawal 
EPF Payment Online