EPFO UAN Activation, PF Balance Check and Online Withdrawal (2026)
UAN activation moved to face authentication on the UMANG app in 2025. Here is how to activate it, the four ways to check your PF balance, how to claim online and when a PF withdrawal is taxed.
Official portal: EPFO Unified Member Portal
Indus Tax is a private CA firm, not affiliated with the Government of India. This guide explains the official process; we never ask for your portal password.
What the UAN is
The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit number that stays with you across jobs; each employer's PF account is linked to it. You need an activated UAN with Aadhaar, PAN and bank KYC to view your passbook and claim money online.
How to activate UAN with face authentication
Since August 2025, EPFO uses Aadhaar face authentication on the UMANG app instead of OTP-only activation:
- 1Install the UMANG app and the AadhaarFaceRD app on your phone.
- 2In UMANG, open EPFO and choose UAN allotment and activation.
- 3Enter your UAN (or Aadhaar) and mobile number and verify with OTP.
- 4Complete face authentication with your phone camera — details are fetched from Aadhaar.
- 5Once activated, you receive confirmation by SMS and can log in to the member portal.
Four ways to check your PF balance
Missed call and SMS work only if your UAN is activated and KYC is seeded:
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Missed call | Call 9966044425 from your UAN-registered mobile |
| SMS | Send EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899 (replace ENG with HIN, TEL, TAM, KAN and so on for other languages) |
| EPFO passbook portal | Log in at passbook.epfindia.gov.in with UAN and password |
| UMANG app | EPFO > View Passbook, with UAN and OTP |
Withdrawing PF online
EPFO simplified partial withdrawals in 2025: purposes were merged into fewer categories, a minimum balance must stay in the account while you are employed, and many advance claims up to ₹5 lakh are auto-settled within days. To claim:
- 1Log in to the unified member portal with UAN and password.
- 2Check that Aadhaar, PAN and bank KYC show as approved under Manage > KYC.
- 3Go to Online Services > Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D).
- 4Verify the bank account, select the claim type and purpose, and enter the amount.
- 5Submit with Aadhaar OTP and track it under Online Services > Track Claim Status.
Tax on PF withdrawal
PF is tax-free only if you meet the continuous-service rule:
- Withdrawal after 5 years of continuous service (including earlier employers, if PF was transferred) is tax-free
- Withdrawal before 5 years is taxable; TDS at 10% applies if the amount is ₹50,000 or more and PAN is linked, and at a higher rate without PAN
- If your total income is below the taxable limit, submit a no-TDS declaration — Form 15G/15H, now Form 121 from April 2026
- Interest on your own contributions above ₹2.5 lakh a year (₹5 lakh where there is no employer contribution) is taxable
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