- EPFO to roll out new mobile app with UPI-based withdrawals by April 2026
- Eligible PF balance to be transferred instantly using UPI PIN
- Auto-settlement limit already raised to ₹5 lakh
- Trial runs underway before nationwide rollout
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th Feb: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to launch a new mobile application by April 2026 that will allow its nearly 8 crore members to withdraw eligible portions of their provident fund directly through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
The proposed facility is part of the EPFO 3.0 upgrade, aimed at making the withdrawal process instantaneous, paperless and fully digital. Under the new system, a portion of the EPF balance will remain locked for retirement security, while the eligible amount can be transferred to a member’s bank account using UPI.
At present, EPFO members are required to submit withdrawal claims, a process that can take several days. The organisation has already introduced an auto-settlement mode that processes claims electronically within three days without manual intervention. The limit for auto-settlement has been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
Officials said the new UPI-based system is designed to simplify procedures and reduce the operational burden on EPFO, which processes more than five crore claims annually, the majority related to EPF withdrawals. The government is aiming to bring EPFO services on par with banking standards in terms of speed and convenience.
Key features of the new UPI withdrawal system include:
- Instant transfers: Eligible funds can be moved to linked bank accounts using a UPI PIN, eliminating lengthy claim procedures.
- Withdrawal cap: Initial discussions suggest a limit of ₹25,000 per transaction for UPI-based withdrawals.
- Balance segregation: The app will show the withdrawable amount while keeping at least 25% of the total balance locked for retirement.
- App integration: The service will be available through a new EPFO app integrated with BHIM and other UPI platforms.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment is currently conducting trial runs using 100 dummy accounts to identify and fix technical issues ahead of the public rollout.
While the new application will become the primary interface for UPI-based withdrawals, existing platforms such as the EPFO Unified Member Portal and the UMANG app will continue to function for other services.
