How to Know and Activate UAN Online to Check PF Balance?

Universal Account Number A.K.A UAN is a 12-digit identification number assigned by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to individuals who contribute a fraction of their income towards EPF (Employee Provident Fund). The number stays constant throughout an individual’s professional life, regardless of any job changes. Establishments that salaried individuals work with assign them a Member ID (Member Identification Number). Hence in case of job hopping, the Member ID differs across various establishments. UAN’s job is to basically roof and link these different member IDs under one unique identification number.

On your first job, your employer will ask you to submit a few documents to generate your PF UAN number. This process will be done just once, and the number once created remains the same throughout. On change of your job, you will get a new member identification number, which will be linked to your existing UAN number. Also Read: Follow These Simple Steps to Generate, Register, and Activate Your UAN Necessary Documents: Listed below are the few documents that you will require for PF UAN Activation.

1. You will be required to submit your Bank Details (Account number, IFSC code or branch name.)
2. Aadhaar and PAN details are necessary.
3. Address proof can include electricity bills, Aadhaar, lease/rent agreement or photo.
4. Identity proof- Driver's license, Voter ID.

Here are a few ways to activate your UAN number

1. By visiting the UAN portal – In the bottom right under ‘important links’ select the ‘activate UAN’ option.
2. Fill in your details - UAN, name, Aadhaar etc and enter the captcha. Then select the ‘Get Authorisation Pin’ button at the bottom.
3. You will be taken to a new screen where you will be asked to verify your details to re-confirm them.
4. Select the ‘I Agree’ option and proceed to enter the 4- digit OTP that you will receive on your registered phone number.
5. Select ‘Validate OTP and Activate UAN.’ the OTP will get verified and the UAN will be activated.

Note that you will receive a password on your registered phone number which will help you access your UAN account in future. This password can be changed when you log into your account if necessary.

1. Through your employer:

Usually, you get a Universal Account Number from your employer according to the EPFO. At times UAN number is printed in your salary slip as well.

2. Through the UAN portal:

If option one does not work out, then you can locate it via the UAN portal. For that,

1. you must visit theUAN portal and click on the ‘Know your UAN status’ under ‘important links’ dashboard.
2. That will land you on a page where you will have to enter your registered phone number and the captcha code and hit ‘Request OTP.’
3. Once you receive your OTP, get it verified and enter the captcha.
4. You will be redirected to a page where you will be asked to fill in your name, DOB, PAN/Aadhaar/member ID.
5. Once these details are verified click on the ‘Show my UAN’ button and your UAN will be displayed.

Generally, the employers give you the status of your PF balance at the end of each fiscal year. Although if you wish to check, you can do it with the following ways.

1. Check your balance on EPFO portal

You can visit the EPFO portal and select “for employee" under ‘our services’ tab > select 'Member Passbook' under 'Services’ > enter your PF UAN details to get the passbook which will contain the details of your PF balance.

2. Use SMS facility to check your balance

You will need to drop a message EPFOHO UAN to 773899899 and then select options based on the messages that you receive. Type this: EPFOHO UAN ENG. 'ENG' here is the first three letters of the preferred language i.e., English. If you prefer to receive the message in HINDI, then type in EPFOHO UAN HIN.

3. Check balance with a missed call

You can give a missed call on 011-22901406 from your registered mobile number and you will receive an SMS with the balance details.

4. Check balance on UMANG app

You can download the app on your mobile and log in with the UAN number and the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

1. UAN helps centralise the country’s Employee data.
2. This unique number eases the task of Employee verification by EPFO (Employee Provident Fund organisation) from different employers and companies.
3. The unique number helps the EPFO to extract the KYC details and the bank account details of the employee without seeking any help from the employer.
4. The unique number helps to track the employer even in case of multiple job switches.
5. With the introduction of UAN number pre-maturely withdrawals of EPF balance have reduced considerably
6. Withdrawal (partial or complete) of PF online would be easier with UAN.
7. Employees can transfer the balance from the old PF account to New account number with a UAN number.
8. You can download PF statements anytime with the help of UAN.
9. If the UAN is KYC and Aadhaar verified, the new employers would not need to validate your profile again.
10. It becomes easier for employees to know whether their employers are depositing their contribution to PF regularly or not.

UAN makes it simpler for salaried individuals to access and track their balance anytime-anywhere. which also enables the individuals to follow the amount of funds being actually directed towards PF and how much the employer holds back. Also Read : How To Withdraw Pension Contribution In EPF After Leaving The Job?