How to Activate UAN – Quick & Easy Guide

For Example, Mahima is a teacher earning ₹35,000 per month. She needs to pay ₹80,000 for her child’s school fees. But because of missed loan payments, her credit score is poor, making it hard to get a loan. So, she decides to use her Provident Fund (PF) money. 

She has been paying ₹1,500 every month since May 2020. When she checks, she is surprised to see that her PF amount has grown a lot.

Let’s break down the calculations:

This is how your PF amount remains as a saviour for your financial crisis. This blog teaches you how to activate UAN, along with its features and benefits.

UAN – A Brief Introduction

For Example, Mahima works at a private school in Noida. The office asked for her Universal Account Number (UAN), a 12-digit number from EPFO — hers is 1234 5678 1234. This number stays the same for life. Her employer's ID is CBNOIDA00123456789. 

Both Mahima and her employer regularly contribute to her Provident Fund during her job.

Example: 

Features of UAN

Mahima had already worked in another school before she joined EDU CBSE School. However, her UAN number is still 1234 5678 1234. This is a 12-digit permanent employee number, which can be used when Mahima wants to switch jobs.

1. Merging of Employer's ID: Switching Jobs is Easier

Mahima does not need any new UAN. She can continue with the same UAN whenever she wants to switch jobs. But the employer IDs need to be merged, and should transfer the previous amount to the present employer. 

• She can log into the EPFO portal and initiate the merger of ₹ 75,000 from the previous employer ID to the new employer’s ID. 

2. Easy Access: 24/7 Services  

Mahima can access the EPFO portal either through the internet portal or through the UMANG application. In either of these portals, Mahima can view:

• Total PF amount
• Tracking the status of requests like PF withdrawal
• Download of her passbook

3. Secure Transfer and Logging: Hassle-free process

All the transfers and logins initiated by Mahima are completely safe and secure. No third parties can access her EPFO portal. 

Suppose she logs into her portal to initiate a balance transfer, and this is how the procedure goes:

• OTP verification
• UAN number confirmation
• Employer ID verification

How to Activate UAN?

Step 1: Go to the official website of EPFO, which is exclusively for employees.

Step 2: On the right side of the dropdown menu list, click “Activate UAN.”

Step 3: On the next page, you will be asked to enter the following details:

• UAN
• Member ID (optional)
• Name
• Date of Birth
• Mobile Number
• Captcha

Step 4: After entering the above-mentioned details, click “Get Authorisation PIN.”

Step 5: You will receive the OTP. Validate it to activate your UAN.

After the activation, you will receive the confirmation message to your registered mobile number.

Disclaimer: The EPFO makes it mandatory that you have a valid mobile number, and the same should be registered with your UAN account. It is also advisable to update your Aadhaar details for the UAN portal, in case any changes are made to it.

How to Find your UAN?

Step 1: Go to the official website of EPFO, which is exclusively for employees.

Step 2: On the right side of the dropdown menu list, click “Know your UAN.”

Step 3: On the next page, you need to enter the following details:

• Mobile Number (registered)
• Captcha code

Step 4: Click “Request OTP.”

Step 5: An OTP will be sent to your mobile number. Enter the OTP to validate it.

The portal will send your UAN to your registered mobile number. Sometimes, the server may display your UAN and request you to visit its portal to log in to your account.

Disclaimer: The EPFO portal may send your UAN to your email address if you have submitted it to your employer.

Documents Required for UAN Registration

To activate and process your UAN account, you need to furnish the following documents:

• Proof of Identity: Aadhaar card, Driving license, Voter ID, Passport, etc.
  
  
• Proof of Address: Ration card, Utility bills, Rent Agreement, Property deed, etc. 
  
  
• Bank Passbook with account number and IFSC code.

How To Log in Into The UAN Portal?

Step 1: Go to the official website of EPFO, which is exclusively for employees.

Step 2: Enter the following details correctly:

• Your 12-digit UAN
• Password
• Captcha Code

Step 3: Click “Sign in.”

Step 4: An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 5: Enter the OTP and click “Submit.”

You will be on the home page of your UAN portal. Navigate to each dropdown menu to avail the various kinds of services from EPFO.

How To Check The Balance Of Your PF Amount?

There are two methods to check your PF amount of your UAN, which are:

• Online portal
• Missed call

How to Check PF Balance via Online Portal?

Step 1: Go to the official website of EPFO, which is exclusively for employees.

Step 2: Enter the following details correctly:

• Your 12-digit UAN
• Password
• Captcha Code

Step 3: Click “Sign in.”

Step 4: An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 5: Enter the OTP and click “Submit.”

Step 6: On the homepage of your UAN portal, navigate your cursor to the dropdown menu “View” and click it.

Step 7: You will see the following options from that dropdown menu:

• Profile
• Service History
• UAN Card
• Passbook

Step 8: On the dropdown list, click “Passbook.”

Step 9: Another portal will be opened. Here, enter the following logging credentials of your UAN account:

• UAN
• Password
• Captcha code

Step 10: Click “Sign In.”

Step 11: An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP to validate it, and click “Submit.”

On this homepage, you can see your total PF amount. You can also see the total contributions of your employer to the EPFO.  

How to Check PF Balance via Missed Call?

You can check your PF balance by giving a missed call to the following number:

• The call will automatically get disconnected.
• You will receive a detailed message about your EPFO contributions, along with the total available balance.

Note: This method will work only if you have registered your mobile number with your UAN.

Benefits of Activating your UAN

Instant PF Balance Check: Mahima can check her PF balance immediately in the following ways:

• Missed Call to 9966044425
• Online EPFO Portal
• UMANG application 

Adding Nominees: She can log into her EPFO portal and able to add the nominees for her PF account, without visiting the PF office.

Let’s say she wants to add two nominees: Her husband and her child

• She needs to upload the 2 nominees’ Aadhaar details
• Verify it with OTP

Easy Balance Transfer: Suppose Mahima needs ₹ 50,000 immediately. She can initiate the claim from her online EPFO portal.

She needs to do the following things:

• Validate the OTP
• Reason for withdrawal
• Entering the total Amount of ₹ 50,000
• Initiating the withdrawal claim

Strong Security: Whenever Mahima accesses her EPFO portal, she needs to enter the OTP. This is done to ensure security purposes.

Example: She can receive an OTP of six digits (789123) to her registered mobile number (99999 11225).

24/7 Access: Mahima has initiated her withdrawal claim, but so far, she has not received any information about its progress. This disturbed her sleep at midnight. So she decided to check its status: 

• Logged into the EPFO portal
• Navigated to the tracking of claims section
• Learned that it is still under purview. 

She wondered about EPFO’s 24/7 access to its portal.

Conclusion

It is advisable to activate your Universal Account Number (UAN) without any further delay. This is because the contribution of a certain amount to EPFO acts as a type of savings for your future requirements. An employee can withdraw their PF amount at any time through the online portal. It is advisable to register the mobile number and also to add other KYC details of the PF account.

FAQs

1. How can I get my UAN?

Your employer will provide your UAN number.

2. Can I use the same UAN when I switch to a different job?

Yes, you use the same UAN. This is a permanent number for an employee.

3. Is it applicable to a private employee?

Yes, it is applicable to private employees also. There are many private organisations which have registered their employment ID with EPFO.

4. At what time can I withdraw my PF amount?

You can send your PF requests at any time. It is a 24/7 service.

5. Is it mandatory to link my Aadhaar card with my PF account?

It is mandatory to link your Aadhaar card with your PF account.

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