Govt Pushes for 100% Aadhaar-Based UAN Activation to Enhance Transparency in Welfare Schemes

New Delhi: The Central Government has intensified its efforts to streamline welfare schemes by mandating Aadhaar Payment Bridge transactions and 100% biometric Aadhaar authentication for subsidy and incentive payments. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, in alignment with this initiative, has directed the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to launch a campaign ensuring Universal Account Number (UAN) activation for employees under the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25.

To maximize participation, EPFO will mobilize its zonal and regional offices to collaborate with employers, emphasizing the completion of UAN activation through Aadhaar-based OTP authentication. This move aims to provide seamless access to EPFO’s digital services and ensure efficient delivery of employee benefits.

Aadhaar-Based UAN Activation: Streamlining Access

Employers must prioritize UAN activation for all employees who joined in the current financial year, with a deadline of November 30, 2024, for the latest recruits. The activation process will subsequently extend to all employees.

Using Aadhaar as an identity document, the system simplifies government processes, enhances transparency, and ensures entitlements reach beneficiaries without delays. Aadhaar-based verification eliminates the need for multiple documents, reducing administrative burdens.

Activated UANs will empower employees to access EPFO’s comprehensive online services, including:

• Viewing and downloading Provident Fund (PF) passbooks.
• Submitting claims for withdrawals, advances, or transfers.
• Updating personal information.
• Tracking claims in real time.

The digital-first approach provides employees with 24/7 access to their PF accounts, eliminating the need for physical visits to EPFO offices.

Steps to Activate UAN

Employees can activate their UAN using Aadhaar-linked OTP verification by following these steps:

1. Visit the EPFO Member Portal.
2. Click “Activate UAN” under “Important Links”.
3. Enter details like UAN, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, and Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
4. Agree to Aadhaar OTP verification.
5. Request an OTP and enter it to complete activation.
6. A password for the account will be sent to the registered mobile number upon successful activation.

Future Enhancements: Biometric Authentication

In the next phase, the UAN activation process will incorporate advanced biometric authentication, including face-recognition technology, further enhancing security and accessibility.

The government’s focus on leveraging technology for welfare schemes highlights its commitment to ensuring transparency and efficiency in service delivery. This initiative underlines India’s march towards a digital-first approach in governance, benefitting millions of employees nationwide.