Puttur, August 7,2025: Starting August 1, 2025, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced that Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology (FAT) will be mandatory for the generation and activation of Universal Account Numbers (UANs) via the UMANG application. This new initiative is designed to enhance the UAN process by utilizing biometric verification linked to the Aadhaar system, ensuring a more efficient and error-free experience. The implementation of this technology allows for a paperless approach and empowers employees to handle their UAN management independently, without requiring the involvement of their employers, using just their smartphones for authentication.
Streamlined UAN Generation Process
Previously, UAN (Universal Account Number) generation was predominantly managed by employers, which frequently resulted in inaccuracies in personal information such as names and mobile numbers. During the fiscal year 2024-25, out of the 1.26 crore UANs issued, only 35% were successfully activated. However, a new system has been introduced to streamline the process. This innovative solution combines face authentication technology from the UMANG and Aadhaar Face RD applications. To utilize this service, individuals are required to download both apps, input their Aadhaar number and corresponding mobile number, confirm an OTP (One-Time Password), and take a live photograph. The system then cross-references the provided data with Aadhaar records to generate a UAN, which is instantly delivered via SMS and activated. This advanced mechanism facilitates immediate access to a range of EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organization) services including passbook inspection, KYC (Know Your Customer) updates, and claim filings.
Benefits and Exceptions
The updated onboarding system implemented by the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) guarantees 100% identity validation and automatically confirms mobile numbers, significantly cutting down onboarding delays. This new process is also applicable for current UAN (Universal Account Number) holders seeking account activation. Notably, employer-based UAN creation will persist for special scenarios, namely, international employees and nationals of Nepal and Bhutan. In an additional technological advancement, EPFO is set to introduce face authentication for pensioners utilizing the Jeevan Pramaan platform for digital life certificate submissions. This integration is facilitated by My Bharat volunteers. This digital transformation is expected to boost operational efficiency and enhance service access for EPFO's diverse membership.
Keywords: EPFO, UAN generation, Aadhaar face authentication, UMANG app, provident fund, face recognition, EPF services, digital authentication, Aadhaar Face RD, KYC update, passbook access, claim submission, employee benefits, biometric verification, My Bharat, Jeevan Pramaan