How To Link Aadhaar With UAN/EPFO Account

The government has ordered that the Universal Account Number (UAN) be linked to the Aadhaar card number by April 2023. Those who missed the bus may still connect Aadhaar to UAN by March 31, 2024. Employees and unorganized laborers must link their Aadhaar cards to their EPF accounts, as directed by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

What exactly is EPFO?

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, or EPFO for short, is like a big savings club for workers in India. It's run by the government and helps people save money for their future. When you work for a company, a little bit of your salary goes into this fund. The EPFO also offers other benefits like a pension and insurance. So, if you're working in India, the EPFO helps you save money, plan for retirement, and even gives you some financial security through insurance. You can manage all these things through the EPFO's services. How's that? Is it easier to understand?

What exactly is UAN?

EPFO assigns a Universal Account Number (UAN) to each contributing member and distributes it via the employers. The UAN serves as a cover for the multiple Member IDs assigned to a person by different businesses. The goal is to combine several Member Identification Numbers (Member IDs) given to a single member under a single Universal Account Number. In this manner, the member will benefit from seeing information on all Member Identification Numbers that are associated with it. In layman's terms, a UAN is a 12-digit number supplied to every member of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation or EPFO once in their career to handle their Provident Fund accounts. UAN is being made mandatory for all workers since it greatly simplifies the operation of the EPF account, making transferring and withdrawing PF funds simpler.

A key aspect to note here is that the UAN is often given to workers by their employers, and the employee must begin the process by giving necessary Know Your Customer-KYC documentation to the company.

What is the Linking between UAN and Aadhaar?

EPFO has made several measures throughout time to make the provident fund or PF claims settlement system quicker and easier so that you do not have any difficulties in carrying out any of these tasks. EPFO is always striving to improve its services and facilities, and it is in this vein that EPFO recently launched a UAN Aadhaar connectivity feature via the Government's UMANG mobile application. Although, it is not mandatory for anybody to connect their Aadhaar to their UAN but doing so would make the PF settlement procedure much easier.

Different Ways to Link Aadhaar Card With UAN/EPFO

1.) Using E-sewa Portal

• Access your EPF account using the official EPFO E-Sewa website and log in using your UAN credentials. 

• Go to the "Manage" section and find the option called "Know Your Customer (KYC)". 

• Select the Aadhaar option and enter the required information. Please ensure that you save your entries before proceeding. 
• The Aadhaar's validity will be confirmed by cross-referencing it with the UIDAI data. 
• After completing the KYC process, your Aadhaar will be linked to your EPF account.
   

2.) UMANG App

• Log in to the Umang app by entering your 'MPIN' or 'OTP'.
• Go to the 'All Services Tab' and choose 'EPFO.'
• Select 'e-KYC services' from the EPFO menu.
• Choose 'Aadhaar Seeding' from the drop-down menu.
• Enter your UAN and then press 'Get OTP.' An OTP will be sent to your registered cellphone number.
• Enter your Aadhaar number.
• Another OTP will be sent to your registered cellphone number and email address.
• Your Aadhaar will be connected to your UAN after OTP verification.

3.) Offline Mode

• Visit the EPFO office or Common Service Centre (CSC) in your area.
• Request the Aadhaar seeding application form.
• Fill out the form carefully, making sure to include all important information.
• Self-attested copies of your UAN, PAN, and Aadhaar card are required.
• Fill out the form and return it to the EPFO office or a CSC representative.

Benefits of Linking EPF with Aadhaar Card

EPFO, which has over 4 lakh subscribers, has urged its users to connect their Aadhaar cards to their EPF accounts in order to allow quick verification of information. The following are some of the advantages of connecting your Aadhaar number to your EPF account:
 

• You will be able to withdraw your PF online without the need for an employer's signature. The whole procedure may be completed online and without difficulty.
• When your Aadhaar is connected with your EPF and UAN, there would be fewer possibilities of conflicts and inaccuracies in the data since your information will be consistent with your Aadhaar card information.
• Reduces the likelihood of having a duplicate account.
• Your Aadhaar data will appear under the 'authorized KYC' page after the linkage is authorized.