What is UAN Number and Why It Matters: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12-digit unique identifier for employees contributing to the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) in India, managed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). It remains constant throughout an employee’s career, helping track PF contributions across jobs.

Understanding UAN Number and Its Importance

The Universal Account Number (UAN) is authenticated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. It is crucial for:

• Managing PF contributions
• Ensuring seamless transfers when changing jobs
• Accessing online services like balance checks and withdrawals

The UAN remains constant throughout an employee’s work life, acting as an umbrella for multiple member IDs linked to different employers.

Who Needs a New UAN Number ?

Creating a new UAN is relevant for:

• First-Time Employees: Those joining the workforce for the first time or who have never been part of a company contributing to PF.
• Employees Without a Previous UAN: In rare cases, if an employee has lost their UAN or never had one due to previous employment not contributing to PF.

Important Note: Each employee should have only one UAN throughout their career. If you’ve worked before and have a UAN, provide that UAN to new employers rather than creating a new one.

Steps for Employees

If you’re a first-time employee, you don’t create the UAN yourself. Instead:

1. Provide Required Documents to Your Employer:
   • Identity proof (e.g., Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID)
   • Address proof (e.g., utility bills, rental agreement)
   • Bank details (account number, bank name, branch, IFSC code)
2. Ensure Your Employer is Registered with EPFO:
   • Your employer must be registered with EPFO to generate your UAN
   • PF contribution is mandatory for organizations with 20+ employees
3. Wait for UAN Generation:
   • Your employer will submit your details to EPFO
   • EPFO will process the application and generate your UAN
   • You’ll receive notification via email or SMS

Steps for Employers

If you’re an employer helping a first-time employee:

1. Log into the EPFO Online Portal:
   • Visit unifiedportal.epfindia.gov.in
   • Log in using your establishment ID and password
2. Navigate to “New Member Registration”:
   • Find this section under “Services” or “Member Management”
3. Fill in Employee Details:
   • Full name, date of birth, gender
   • Father’s and mother’s name
   • Marital status, educational qualification
   • Permanent and present address
   • Bank account details
4. Upload Required Documents:
   • Identity proof, address proof, bank details
   • Ensure documents are clear and meet EPFO guidelines
   • Documents should be in PDF format within size limits
5. Submit the Form:
   • Review all information for accuracy
   • Submit the form for EPFO processing
6. Communicate the UAN to the Employee:
   • Once received, inform the employee about their UAN
   • Guide them on activating it for online services

Finding a Forgotten UAN

If you’ve worked before and forgotten your UAN, you can retrieve it by:

Method 1: Using the EPFO Member Portal

1. Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
2. Click on “Know Your UAN” under Important Links
3. Enter your registered mobile number and complete the CAPTCHA
4. Request and enter the OTP
5. Provide additional details (name, DOB, Aadhaar/PAN/member ID)
6. Click “Show my UAN” to retrieve it

Method 2: Using SMS Service

• Send a message from your registered mobile number to 7738299899
• EPFO will respond with your UAN and other details

Activating UAN for Online Services

To activate your UAN and access online EPF services:

1. Visit the EPFO Member Portal:
   • Go to unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in.
2. Click on “Activate UAN”:
   • Provide your UAN and required details
   • Set up a password meeting security requirements
3. Verify with OTP:
   • Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number

Once activated, you can log in to manage your PF account, check balances, make withdrawal requests, and perform other transactions.

Required Documents for UAN Generation

Document Type	Examples
Identity Proof	Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, passport
Address Proof	Ration card, utility bills, rental agreement
Bank Account Details	Account number, bank name, branch, IFSC code

Additional Considerations

Security

EPFO emphasizes not sharing personal details like UAN, password, or Aadhaar over phone calls or messages, as EPFO never requests such information this way. Stay vigilant against fraud.

Support Resources

For further assistance, refer to the official EPFO website or contact the EPFO helpline.

Conclusion

Creating a new UAN number for PF is a process initiated by the employer for first-time employees. Employees play a supportive role by providing accurate information. For those with existing UANs, retrieval and activation are straightforward, enhancing access to online services.

This guide ensures a smooth process, aligning with EPFO guidelines as of March 12, 2025.