In a major reform to enhance Ease of Living for EPF members and Ease of Doing Business for employers, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced two key changes to streamline claim settlements and bank account seeding.
1. No More Cheque Leaf or Passbook Uploads
EPFO has eliminated the requirement to upload a scanned copy of a cancelled cheque or attested bank passbook when filing online claims.
This step was initially relaxed on a pilot basis from 28 May 2024 for KYC-compliant members, and it has already benefited 1.7 crore members.
Now extended to all EPF members, the decision leverages existing bank account verification done during seeding with the Universal Account Number (UAN), making additional documents redundant.
This move will reduce claim rejections due to poor image quality and benefit nearly 6 crore members instantly.
2. Employer Approval Removed for Bank Seeding
In another significant step, EPFO has removed the need for employer approval after bank verification for seeding bank account details with UAN.
Until now, employers were required to approve the request using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or e-signature, often causing delays averaging 13 days.
With over 36,000 seeding requests raised daily and 14.95 lakh approvals pending, this change will immediately benefit lakhs of members.
From now on, members can complete the seeding or update their bank details using Aadhaar OTP authentication, eliminating the employer’s role.
These reforms will accelerate claim processing, cut down on grievances, and ease the burden on employers.
EPFO’s initiative marks a significant leap towards efficient, member-centric service delivery.
Final Words
These reforms mark a significant step towards faster, hassle-free EPF services. By removing redundant requirements and cutting approval delays, EPFO has made the system more efficient and member-centric.
Millions of members and employers will benefit from simplified processes, reduced grievances, and quicker claim settlements—strengthening trust in digital-first governance.
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