How to Get Your UAN Number and Activate It Online
Gain control over your employee benefits. Learn the steps to manage your unique financial identifier and access essential online services.
A Universal Account Number (UAN) serves as a unique identifier for individuals participating in the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) scheme. This twelve-digit number is assigned by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and remains consistent throughout an individual’s entire career, even when changing employers. Its primary purpose is to consolidate all Provident Fund (PF) accounts linked to an individual under a single identifier. The UAN simplifies the management of EPF accounts, providing a unified access point for various online services. This number is essential for accessing and overseeing one’s retirement savings.
Discovering Your UAN
Obtaining your Universal Account Number (UAN) is the initial step for managing your provident fund contributions online. This unique identifier is typically allocated either by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) directly or by your employer when you begin employment. A common method for retrieving your UAN is by reviewing your monthly payslips, where it is often printed. Alternatively, you can directly contact your Human Resources or payroll department, as they will have access to this information.
For those who prefer to retrieve their UAN independently, the official EPFO Member Portal provides an online facility. On the portal, navigate to the “Know Your UAN Status” or a similar designated section. To proceed, you will need to provide specific identifying details such as your Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Member ID, your Aadhaar number, or your Permanent Account Number (PAN). You must also enter your registered mobile number to receive verification.
After submitting the required information, the system will display your UAN on the screen if it is successfully retrieved. This online method offers a quick and secure way to ascertain your UAN without needing direct employer intervention. Ensuring you have your UAN is a prerequisite for activating it and accessing online provident fund services.
Activating Your UAN
Once you have identified your Universal Account Number (UAN), the next step involves activating it to access online Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) services. This activation is a mandatory procedure that enables you to check your provident fund balance, initiate withdrawal requests, or transfer funds between accounts. Navigate to the official Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Member Portal. This secure online platform is where all UAN-related activities are managed.
On the portal’s homepage, locate the “Activate UAN” link. Clicking this link will direct you to a page where you must input your UAN. You will also be prompted to enter your registered mobile number and complete a captcha verification. This initial submission triggers the generation of a One-Time Password (OTP).
The OTP will be sent to the mobile number you provided, serving as a security measure to verify your identity. Enter this OTP into the designated field on the portal to proceed with the activation. Upon successful OTP verification, the system will guide you to set up a new username and password for your UAN account. These login credentials will be used for future access to the online EPF services. Finally, the portal will display a confirmation message, indicating that your UAN has been successfully activated.