India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
In a major relief for salaried employees, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is likely to roll out provident fund withdrawals through UPI soon, allowing members to transfer eligible PF money directly into their bank accounts using UPI-based transactions.
Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said testing for the new facility has already been completed and the EPFO is now working on improving service delivery before launch.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is preparing to launch provident fund withdrawals via UPI soon, allowing members to transfer eligible PF money directly to their bank accounts, following successful testing confirmed by Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
“We have completed the testing of the facility where members can withdraw EPF through the use of the UPI payment gateway. The withdrawn amount will be directly transferred into the bank account of the member,” the minister said while speaking to reporters.
How EPFO Withdrawal Through UPI Will Work
Under the proposed system, EPFO subscribers will reportedly be able to see the amount eligible for withdrawal directly within the platform linked to their bank account.
Members can then use their linked UPI PIN to authorise the transaction securely. Once approved, the money will be credited directly into the subscriber’s bank account.
After the transfer, users will be free to use the funds for digital payments or withdraw cash using debit cards and ATMs like regular bank balance.
The labour ministry is also reportedly working on a model where a certain portion of EPF savings remains frozen while a larger accessible amount can be withdrawn instantly through UPI-linked banking systems.
Why This Is A Big Change For EPFO Members
Currently, EPFO members must submit withdrawal claims to access PF money, and the process can sometimes take several days depending on verification and approval.
Under the existing auto-settlement system, claims are processed electronically without manual intervention and are usually settled within three days.
The government has already increased the auto-settlement withdrawal limit from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, helping members access funds faster for needs such as illness, education, marriage and housing.
Officials say the new UPI-based withdrawal system could further reduce waiting time and make PF access much easier for over seven crore EPFO subscribers.
EPFO Planning WhatsApp Services Too
Apart from UPI withdrawals, EPFO is also planning to improve communication with members through WhatsApp services.
According to the labour ministry, users will reportedly be able to contact EPFO simply by sending “Hello” to the organisation’s official WhatsApp number, which will carry a verified green tick for authenticity.
Subscribers may also receive updates and communication from EPFO directly on their registered mobile numbers through WhatsApp integration.
The ministry believes WhatsApp can help simplify access to EPFO services because of its widespread usage among mobile users across India.
EPFO is currently resolving software-related issues before officially rolling out the UPI withdrawal system nationwide.
