Last Updated:June 17, 2025, 11:48 IST
EPFO has introduced reforms aimed at making services faster, more transparent, and user-friendly.
EPFO strongly advises all its members, employers, and pensioners to utilise the online services available through the EPFO portal and the UMANG app.
EPFO Services Online: The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has strongly advised its members to avoid using unauthorised agents and instead make use of the free online services available on the portal. This recommendation follows the organisation’s discovery that several cybercafe operators and fintech companies have been charging EPFO members large fees for services that are officially free.
EPFO strongly advises all its members, employers, and pensioners to utilise the online services available through the EPFO portal and the UMANG app. All EPFO services, including claim filing, transfers, KYC updation, and grievance processes, are entirely free. Members should not pay any fees to third-party agents or cyber cafes for these services.
Risk Of Financial Fraud And Unsolicited Access
These operators often use the EPFO’s online grievance portal, a service accessible to any member at no cost from their home. Stakeholders are cautioned against using third-party companies or agents for EPFO-related services as this could expose their financial data to unauthorized entities. These third parties might charge unnecessary fees or compromise the security of personal information.
How Does EPFO Handle Grievances?
EPFO has a robust grievance monitoring and redressal system. Member grievances are registered on CPGRAMS or EPFiGMS portals and monitored until resolution. In FY 2024-25, EPFO received 16,01,202 grievances in EPFiGMS and 1,74,328 in CPGRAMS, with 98% of grievances redressed within the stipulated timelines.
What Reforms Have Been Implemented?
EPFO has introduced reforms aimed at making services faster, more transparent, and user-friendly. Recent initiatives include the simplification of KYC or member details correction, submission of transfer claims, and deployment of functionality for auto settlement of advance claims up to Rs. 1 lakh. The Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS) has also been introduced for simplifying pension disbursement.
What Are New EPFO Changes?
- The limit for auto claim settlement was increased to Rs. 1 lakh for advances under illness, housing, marriage, and education, resulting in 2.34 crore claims settled in FY 2024-25.
- The transfer claim process has been simplified by removing employer approvals for most cases since 15 January 2025.
- Aadhaar authentication has simplified online member profile correction, reducing dependency on employers and EPFO.
The allotment and activation of UAN are now done through the UMANG app using Face Authentication Technology (FAT), providing members immediate access to EPFO services. The requirement for uploading cheque leaf images or attested bank passbook images has been removed to speed up online claim settlements. From April 2025, employer approval is no longer required for seeding bank account details with UAN.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
- First Published:
#Paying #Heavy #Sums #Agents #EPFO #Services #Check #Agencys #WarningToMembers #Business #News
