EPFO Latest News Update – The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has brought in two big updates that will make life a lot easier for its members. These changes were officially announced on April 3, 2025, and are aimed at making the claim settlement process faster, smoother, and completely hassle-free. With over 6 crore members across India, this step by EPFO is expected to benefit a large number of people who depend on the provident fund system for their retirement savings.
Let’s break it all down in a simple way.
No More Need to Upload Cheque Leaf or Bank Passbook
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Until now, anyone who wanted to settle their EPF claim online had to upload either a scanned copy of their cheque leaf or an attested copy of their bank passbook. This was done to verify that the bank account belongs to the person making the claim.
But many people faced issues due to poor quality images or unclear documents, which led to claim rejections. It created unnecessary trouble, especially for people who are not used to uploading documents online or don’t have access to proper scanning tools.
In May 2024, EPFO tested a new system where they removed this requirement for a few members whose KYC details were already updated. The trial was a huge success and helped nearly 1.7 crore EPF members. Seeing the positive outcome, EPFO has now rolled out this change for all its members.
From now on, there is no need to upload a cheque or passbook while filing a claim online. This one step alone will help avoid unnecessary delays, reduce rejections, and save a lot of time for both members and the EPFO team.
No More Employer Approval Needed for Bank Account Seeding
Another big change is in the bank account seeding process with the Universal Account Number, commonly known as UAN.
Earlier, even after a bank verified the member’s account, the employer had to give one last approval before it could be linked to the UAN. This final step was taking too much time and not really adding any value to the process.
Let’s look at the numbers. Every day, around 36 thousand members request to link their bank account with their UAN. Banks usually take about three days to verify these accounts. But then, employers were taking an average of 13 days just to approve the same. This caused a huge delay and built up a lot of pending work for employers too.
Now, EPFO has removed the need for employer approval in this process. Once the bank has verified the account, the member’s bank details will automatically be seeded with the UAN. This means a much quicker and more direct system for everyone.
Want to Change Your Bank Account? Here’s How
One of the most helpful parts of this update is for people who want to change their already linked bank account. Earlier, it was quite a task and involved multiple steps, including employer approval. But now, it’s easier than ever.
If you want to change your bank account that is already seeded with your UAN, you just need to do the following:
- Log in to your EPFO member portal
- Enter your new bank account number and IFSC code
- Verify your identity using the Aadhaar-linked OTP
That’s it. No documents, no waiting for employer approval, and no delays. Once your new bank account is verified by the bank, it will get updated in the EPFO system.
This is especially useful for people who have closed their old account, shifted to a new city, or simply want to switch to another bank.
What This Means for EPFO Members
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Both of these changes are part of EPFO’s larger goal of making its services more user-friendly and technology-driven. With lakhs of claims being filed every month, even small improvements in the process can create a big difference for people who are counting on their PF money for medical needs, family emergencies, or retirement planning.
Also, for many employees who had been frustrated with long delays, these updates bring a sense of relief and build more trust in the system.
EPFO has taken a solid step forward in improving its digital services. By removing the need for cheque or passbook uploads and cutting out employer approval from the bank account seeding process, it has simplified the entire system.
If you’re an EPF member and planning to update or change your bank account, this is the best time to do it. The process is now easier, faster, and more convenient than ever before. Just make sure your Aadhaar and mobile number are updated, and you’re good to go.
Stay updated, stay stress-free, and enjoy the benefits of these new changes.
