UAN Number: What is UAN & How to Check It?

Every employee and salaried individual gets a portion of their salary deducted monthly and transferred to their EPF account. It is mandatory to deposit this amount every month so that the employee receives a corpus on retirement. The Government gives interest on the amount present in the EPF account.This practice not only saves for the future but also helps in developing a habit of saving within the individual. They receive a significant amount on retirement, which can be used as the individual wishes, or can further be re-invested for more gains. This corpus accumulated is helpful for the post-retirement years. These accumulated funds will ensure that the individual lives a respectful life post-retirement by being financially secure.

The Universal Account Number, popularly known as UAN, is 12 digits unique number given by the EPFO (Employees Provident Fund Organisation) to every employee who contributes to the EPF (Employee Provident Fund). This number is generated and allotted by EPFO (Employees Provident Fund Organisation). It is further authenticated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. This UAN number remains the same throughout life, irrespective of the number of jobs an employee changes.When an employee changes jobs, the new organisation issues a new member ID. The employee simply has to provide the organisation with their UAN, and the new member ID will get linked to it. This way, all the member IDs of an employee get linked to the UAN allotted. Thus the UAN acts like an umbrella for the different member IDs. It helps to keep track of all the EPF accounts of an employee. It also tracks other transactions, which include the amount deposited in the EPF account and the withdrawals made from the EPF account [aa(I1]. It is also used for checking the EPF balance etc.

There are two ways of knowing UAN (Universal Account Number), these ways are;The first way is through the employer. Ideally, the employer is supposed to allocate the UAN to the employee as per the EPFO. The employer can obtain the UAN number for the employee by following the steps given below: Step 1: Login to the EPF employee portal. This login can be done by using a member ID and password. Step 2 : Now go to the member section. Here the employer has to click on the ‘Register Individual’ tab. Step 3: Fill in the employee's details like PAN number, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, bank details, etc. Step 4: Click on ‘Approval’. After this, a new UAN will be generated by the EPFO.The employer can also link the provident account of the employee with the UAN. If the employee already has a UAN, the employer must link the new EPF account to this UAN. If, by chance, the employer unknowingly applies for a new UAN for the employee, then the EPFO will give the employer the already existing UAN of the employee.The second way is to know it through the UAN portal using the member ID.To know the UAN through the portal, follow the steps given below: Step 1 : Visit the UAN portal. Step 2: Click on ‘know your UAN’. Step 3: On the following page, enter the mobile number which is registered. Step 4: After this, enter the captcha code, which is seen on the screen. After entering this, click on ‘request OTP’. Step 5: Once the OTP is received, enter it along with the captcha code. After this, click on ‘validate OTP’. Step 6 : After this, the employee has to fill in the personal details that include - name, date of birth, Aadhaar number, PAN number, and member ID. Step 7: After filling in the personal details, enter the captcha code for verification. Finally, click on the tab ‘Show my UAN’. Step 8: The UAN number will appear on the screen after this tab is clicked.

Some of the benefits and features of UAN (Universal Account Number) are:

• To view and download the EPF passbook.
• Update KYC
• Download UAN card
• Update basic personal details like name, date of birth, gender etc.
• Helps in getting details of the organisation the employee is working in. These details can be the name, date of joining and Employees Pension Scheme (EPS) details.
• It can be used to download PF forms like a one member, one EPF account form, and the claim form.
• Helps the employee to track the EPF claim status.

1. An employee can keep track of all EPF (Employee Provident Fund) accounts through UAN.
2. The introduction of UAN (Universal Account Number) has helped to centralise the data of employees.
3. It reduces the burden and saves time for the employer for employee verification.
4. It helps the EPFO (Employee Provident Fund Organisation) track the employee's multiple job switches.
5. UAN has made it easier for EPFO to get the bank details of an employee. With its introduction, the EPFA doesn’t have to depend on the employer to know the KYC of their employees.
6. UAN has all the EFP (Employees Provident Fund) accounts under its umbrella. Ever since UAN was introduced, EPF withdrawals have reduced considerably.
7. It helps track the change in an employee's job.
8. UAN ensures that the employer only deposits the PF amount in the employee’s EPF account. They are not given access to this account. Furthermore, they cannot withhold the employee's PF amount.
9. The employee can download the EPF account statement using UAN or member ID to log in to the UAN member portal.
10. There are many EPF services that can be accessed online through UAN. These EPF e-services are:

Every employee has first to register and activate the UAN. It is only after this that the online services provided by the EPFO (Employees Provident Fund Organisation) can be availed. To register/activate the UAN, the employee must have the UAN, Aadhaar number, PAN number and the member ID.the procedure to activate UAN is as follows: Step 1: The employee should open the official website of the EPFO. The official website is https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface . Step 2 : Click on ‘Activate UAN’. Step 3: On the next page, the employee must enter the UAN, member ID, Aadhaar number, PAN number, date of birth, mobile number etc., enter the captcha code, and click ‘Get Authorisation Pin’. Step 4: The authorisation pin will be sent to the mobile number provided. Enter this number and click on ‘Validate OTP and Activate UAN’. Step 5: UAN will be activated, and the password will be sent to the mobile number.Once the UAN is activated, the employee can log in to the EPF account using the UAN and the password.

For updating and completing the e-KYC for the EPF account, follow the steps given below: Step 1 : Log in to the EPFO portal. The login can be done by entering the UAN and the password. Step 2: Click on the tab ‘manage’ followed by the ‘ KYC ’ option. Step 3: Select from the options available in the box for the KYC documents. These options will be ‘PAN’ ‘, Bank’ or Passport’. Step 4: If the bank number, along with the IFSC number or the PAN number or the passport number. Step 5: After entering the KYC details, click on the ‘Save’ tab. Step 6: The details that are entered will be verified by the EPFO. Step 7: Once the verification is done, the KYC will be updated. This KYC can be viewed under the heading ‘Currently Active KYC’.The Documents Required for UAN Registration/ ActivationThe following documents are required for UAN registration/activation:

1. ESIC (Employees State Insurance Corporation) card
2. An Aadhaar card is mandatory to link it with UAN. It is also linked to the mobile number and the bank.
3. A PAN card number is mandatory to link it with UAN.
4. Proof of address can be the latest utility bill in the employee's name, like an electricity bill, landline phone bill, ration card, gas connection receipt, rental/lease agreement etc.
5. ID proof can be any of these - a copy of the employee's driving licence, voter ID, passport etc.
6. Bank account details with the IFSC, bank account number and the bank branch.

Also Read : Simple Steps to Generate, Register, and Activate Your UAN

An employee may wish to refrain from continuing with the password provided while activating UAN. Chances of forgetting passwords are also quite common. In such a case, the password can always be reset. To reset the password, follow these steps: Step 1: Open the UAN portal page. Step 2: On the login page itself, choose the ‘Forgot Password’ option. Step 3 : Enter the assigned UAN number and the captcha code and click ‘submit’. Step 4: Here the employee has to enter the name, date of birth, and gender. After entering this, click on ‘Verify’. Step 5 : Now enter the Aadhaar number along with the captcha code. After this, click on the ‘Verify’ option. Step 6: Once these details are verified, enter the mobile number linked to the Aadhaar number. After this, click on ‘Get OTP’. Step 7: OTP will be sent on the mobile number provided. The OTP sent on the mobile needs to be entered, and then click on ‘verify’. Step 8: Now the option to change the password will be viewed. Enter the new password twice. After entering the new password, click on ‘submit’.Once submitted, the new password will be updated on the EPFO portal. Also Read : How to Link EPF and Aadhar Online or Offline

A UAN card can be downloaded with a valid EPF number . Before logging in, the employee should have the UAN activated and the password number. To download a UAN card, follow these steps:

1. Visit the UAN portal.
2. Enter the UAN number and password, enter the captcha code, and click ‘Sign in.
3. Under the ‘view’ option, click on ‘UAN card’.
4. This page will display the card linked to the account.
5. Click on ‘download UAN card’. ‘This can be viewed on the top right hand of the screen.
6. After downloading it, the employee can keep a soft copy. The other option is to print a hard copy for future reference.

Transferring an EPF account using UAN is a simple process. These steps need to be followed to transfer it online: Step 1 : Log in to the EPF member portal using the UAN and password. Step 2: View ‘Online Service’. Under this section, click on the ‘One Member - One EPF Account (Transfer Request’ option. Step 3: Here the employee must verify the personal information and the last details of the EPF account. Step 4 : Click on the Get Details tab to view the previous EPF account details. Step 5. : A DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) will be required to attest to the claim form. This Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) can be available by selecting the previous or present employer. Step 6: After selecting the employer, enter the UAN or the member ID. Step 7: Now click on ‘Get OTP’, which will be sent immediately to the mobile number given. Step 8: Enter the OTP number on the provided box and click ‘submit’. This process is to authenticate the employee's identification. Step 9: After this, an EPF transfer request form will be generated. It has to be self-attested and submitted in a PDF format used by the employer chosen by the employee for the DSC. Once this is done, the selected employer will also get a notification regarding the EPF transfer application. Step 10: The employer has to approve his transfer request. It can be done digitally. After the approval, the EPF account is transferred to the current EPF. The employee can also use the Tracking ID (generated after the transfer request is applied) to track the status of the online application.

When an employee changes jobs, two options are available to them regarding the amount of the EPF account. They can choose any one of these options. Either the employee withdraws the funds available or transfers the amount to the new EPF (Employee Provident Fund) account.In the earlier days, this entire process was very tiring. However, these days with the implementation of the UAN, the transfer or withdrawal of funds from the previous EPF account has become relatively easy.

1. All EPF accounts must be linked to the UAN and provided to the new employer.
2. After the KYC verification, the new EPF account, which is opened by the new organisation, will be linked to the UAN.
3. Once done, all the EPF accounts can be merged through UAN. This way, the employee need not worry about the deposits in the previous EPF account.
4. It ensures less involvement of the employer.
5. The account can be accessed online or through the UMANG app.
6. The employee can view the EPF account details on their own.
7. The withdrawal can be made with ease without the employer’s involvement.

Also Read : KYC Process for Mutual Funds

1. To view and download the EPF passbook.
2. Update KYC
3. Download UAN card
4. Update basic personal details like name, date of birth, gender etc.
5. It helps get details of the organisation the employee is working in. These details can be the name, date of joining and Employees Pension Scheme (EPS) details.
6. It can be used to download PF forms like a one member, one EPF account form, and the claim form.
7. Helps the employee to track the EPF claim status.

1. UAN is universal - all EPF accounts of an employee are linked with it. To check any EPF account, the employee must know his UAN.
2. Transferring the balance from one EPF account to the other is not required - with the introduction of UAN, the employee with a change in a job does not have to transfer the entire balance to the new EPF account. The previous account can continue, and the new one must be linked to the UAN.
3. Get updates on the registered mobile - once the UAN is registered and activated in the UAN portal, the employee will receive periodic messages related to the UAN, like the amount deposited and the balance in the account etc.
4. It does not require the employer to get involved in withdrawing the EPF balance - when the new employer opens a new EPF account, the previous EPF account balance can easily be transferred to the new one. It is possible because of UAN and can be done only after the completion of KYC verification.
5. Withdrawals- it is easier to withdraw money using the UAN. This can be done online through the EPF member portal.
6. Security to the employees - the UAN ensures that the deposits of the employee are safely deposited in their EPF account. Any employer cannot access or withhold their employee's EPFamount.
7. Tracking - with the implementation of UAN, it has become easier for employees to track their account details online. They will also get ansms once the employer deposits the EPF amount into their account.
8. The employee can download the EPF account statement using UAN or member ID to log in to the UAN member portal.
9. Several EPF (Employees Provident Fund) services can be accessed through the UAN portal. These EPF e-services are:

Every employee must get a UAN (Universal Account Number). It has been made compulsory so all employees can benefit from it and use its services adequately. For further assistance, the employee can contact the UAN toll-free helpdesk number, which is 1 800 11 8005. They can be approached between 9.15 AM to 5.45 PM. They can also send an e-mail to the email ID - employeefeedback@epfindia.gov.in . The issue can also be raised on their official website, www.epfindia.gov.in.