Universal Account Number: If you work in a company and a part of your salary goes into Provident Fund (PF) every month, you must have a Universal Account Number (UAN). This number identifies your PF account, but forgetting it is common—especially after changing jobs or not logging in for long. No worries! The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) now offers an easy way to recover your UAN online, right from your mobile, in just a few minutes.
How to Get Your UAN from EPFO Website
Recovering UAN is now very simple. You don’t need to visit an office or agent. All you need is the mobile number registered with your PF account. Just follow these steps:
- Visit the official EPFO website: https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
- Select the option “Know Your UAN.”
- Enter your registered mobile number. You will receive a One Time Password (OTP).
- Verify the OTP.
- Fill in your details like name, date of birth, Aadhaar or PAN.
- If the details match, your UAN will appear on the screen, and sometimes it’s also sent via SMS.
The whole process takes only 2–3 minutes, making it quick and hassle-free.
Why is UAN Important?
UAN is the key to your PF account. Without it, you cannot:
- Check your PF balance
- Withdraw PF money
- Transfer your old PF account to a new one when changing jobs
UAN also shows how much has been deposited, when contributions were made, and withdrawal history. It acts as a digital identity for every employee.
Withdraw PF Money from ATMs Soon
In recent years, EPFO has improved its online services greatly. Earlier, checking PF balance or withdrawing money required visiting offices and filling forms. Now it’s all online. Excitingly, EPFO is also planning a new feature: soon employees may withdraw PF money directly from ATMs, just like from a bank account. This service may start from January 2026, though the exact launch date isn’t confirmed yet.
Key Tips
- Ensure your mobile number and Aadhaar are linked to your PF account. Update them if necessary.
- Keep your UAN and password safe. Do not share them.
- If you face issues recovering UAN online, call EPFO helpline: 1800-118-005.
So, if you’ve lost or forgotten your UAN, don’t panic. Just follow the steps above and get your PF account details in minutes.