Now, PF funds can be withdrawn directly via UPI! This game-changing service is launching soon, putting an end to weeks of waiting...
Labor Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that EPFO members will soon be able to withdraw their Employees' Provident Fund via UPI and transfer it directly to their bank accounts through the UPI payment gateway. Testing for this feature has been completed. Speaking to reporters, the Minister explained that the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is taking several measures to enhance the quality of its service delivery. On Tuesday, Mandaviya announced, "We have completed the testing for a facility that will allow members to withdraw their EPF (Employees' Provident Fund) using the UPI payment gateway." The withdrawn amount will be transferred directly into the member's bank account.
**EPF Funds Can Now Be Withdrawn via UPI**
The Ministry of Labor is working on a project wherein a specific portion of the EPF will remain frozen, while a larger portion will be made available for withdrawal into bank accounts using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Members will be able to view the eligible EPF balance available for transfer to their linked bank accounts. To ensure the secure transfer of funds to their bank accounts, they will be authorized to use their linked UPI PIN to complete the transaction. Once the funds have been transferred to their bank accounts, members are free to utilize them as they see fit—whether for making electronic payments or for withdrawing cash from bank ATMs using a debit card.
**Withdrawal Limit Increased Fivefold**
The Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is currently working to resolve software-related issues to ensure the smooth implementation of this system, which stands to benefit over 70 million members. Currently, EPFO members are required to submit a formal claim application to withdraw their EPF funds—a process that is often time-consuming. Under the "auto-settlement" mode, however, claims are settled electronically—without any human intervention—within just three days of the claim application being submitted. The limit for this auto-settlement mode has been increased from the existing ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh. This makes it easier for a large number of EPFO members to withdraw their EPF funds within three days for purposes such as medical treatment, education, marriage, and home construction.
**A New Initiative via WhatsApp**
The Minister announced that the EPFO has taken the initiative to utilize WhatsApp to expand its reach and further enhance the services provided to its members. The EPFO has devised a plan to leverage the WhatsApp platform with the specific objective of broadening its outreach and improving the quality of services delivered to members. The primary reason for choosing the WhatsApp channel for communication is that it is widely used by the majority of mobile users. Under this facility, members can initiate a conversation with the EPFO simply by typing "Hello" on the EPFO's registered WhatsApp number.
To ensure security and build trust, this number will feature a green tick mark. Members also have the option to choose to receive messages from the EPFO on the mobile number registered with their EPFO account. All interactions will be conducted in local or regional languages, making it significantly easier for members to connect with the EPFO in their own language. This facility will be available to members 24/7, and an automated system will be capable of handling frequently asked questions around the clock.
**The Benefits**
The primary focus of this initiative will be on members who are eligible under the PMVBRY scheme but whose records contain certain discrepancies—such as incomplete Aadhaar authentication via UIDAI's Face Authentication Technology (FAT), or the absence of an active Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) facility linked to their Aadhaar-seeded bank account. Such members will receive specialized assistance directly on WhatsApp to resolve these issues. The initiative will also cater to members who require proper guidance to quickly and easily access essential EPFO services—such as checking their PF balance, viewing their last five transactions, tracking the status of claims, and more. This service is expected to be launched within one month.
'Nidhi Aapke Nikat' Program Launched
The Minister also stated that the EPFO has launched a special, mission-mode initiative to reduce litigation and ensure the timely disposal of cases pending across various legal forums. It has initiated a specific mission-mode campaign to resolve cases pending in consumer courts. Under the 'Nidhi Aapke Nikat' (NAN) program, such cases were identified in advance and taken up for expedited resolution. The Minister noted that, as a result, the number of pending cases in consumer courts declined from 4,936 on April 1, 2024, to 2,646 on March 31, 2026. The EPFO is also playing an active role in identifying pending cases in consumer courts and in swiftly resolving citizens' grievances by reaching out to them through the 'Nidhi Aapke Nikat' initiative.
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