The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has completed a significant upgrade to its Unified Member Portal, introducing a redesigned interface and shifting crucial Universal Account Number (UAN) services. As of July 4, 2026, members can no longer activate their UAN or generate a new one directly through the EPFO portal. These functions have been exclusively moved to the government's UMANG mobile application, requiring Aadhaar-based Face Authentication (FaceAuth) for verification.
UAN Activation and Generation Shifts to UMANG
The most notable change for EPFO subscribers is the migration of UAN activation and new UAN generation. Previously available on the Unified Member Portal, both services are now solely accessible via the UMANG app. Members needing to activate their UAN must navigate to the EPFO Services section within UMANG and select "UAN Activation" under "UAN Services Through Face Auth." Similarly, those requiring a new UAN must use the app's "UAN Allotment and Activation" option, also utilizing Aadhaar-based Face Authentication.
For existing Provident Fund members who have an account but lack a UAN, the process of obtaining one remains possible by verifying their registered mobile number, submitting member details, and linking the new UAN to their existing PF account.
Simplified UAN Retrieval and Death Claims
While UAN activation and generation have moved, the revamped portal does offer improved functionality in other areas. The process for retrieving a UAN has been simplified: members can now enter their registered mobile number, upload valid identity or address proof, and verify an OTP sent to their phone to recover their UAN.
The Unified Member Portal will continue to handle death claims, including pension-related claims. Beneficiaries are advised to ensure their Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active and have necessary documents ready, such as the member's death certificate, bank account proof (cancelled cheque or passbook), and date-of-birth proof where applicable. Documents must be uploaded in PDF format, with each file not exceeding 2 MB and file names containing no spaces.
Understanding the UMANG App and EPF Scheme 2026
UMANG, which stands for Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance, is a comprehensive digital services platform developed by the Indian government. It allows users to access various government services, including those from the EPFO, directly from their smartphones. Its role has expanded to become the primary platform for UAN activation and generation through Aadhaar-based Face Authentication.
In parallel with these portal changes, the Centre has also notified the Employees' Provident Funds (EPF) Scheme, 2026, replacing the previous EPF Scheme, 1952. This new framework strengthens the legal foundation for provident fund operations, formalizes digital services, and introduces stricter governance requirements for exempted EPF trusts. However, core benefits for subscribers remain unchanged, including the mandatory 12% EPF contribution, Universal Account Number (UAN), Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF), withdrawal rules, interest rates, nominations, and tax treatment. The 2026 scheme also grants the Centre the authority to temporarily reduce or defer EPF contributions for up to three months during pandemics or national disasters, alongside more detailed compliance mandates for employers and exempted trusts.