The Universal Account Number, once viewed as a feared term, has made EPF-account management a breeze over the years. A member must make sure his UAN is active by 2025 if he is going for his maiden job or changing an employer to access and maintain his PF benefits without any trouble.
This guide will explain what UAN is, why it matters, who needs to have one, and what documents an individual has to keep with him to start the registration. This blog has been updated to include the latest Aadhaar-based face authentication process for 2025 for correct step-wise assistance.
Table of Contents
- What is UAN and Why is it Important?
- Who Needs UAN Registration?
- Documents Required for UAN Registration
- Step-by-Step Process for UAN Registration in 2025
- How to Activate UAN on EPFO Member Portal
- How to Log in and Use Your UAN Account
- Common Issues During UAN Registration & How to Fix Them
- Benefits of UAN for Employees in 2025
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is UAN and Why is it Important?
The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique 12-digit number allotted to every member of the EPF. The UAN acts as a permanent key, which stays with you throughout your career irrespective of whichever single company you have been working for all along.
Instead of working with multiple PF account numbers, your UAN acts as a single umbrella linking them all.
Benefits of UAN for Employees:
- Easy transfer of funds on job change.
- Check EPF balance online anytime.
- Download your PF passbook digitally.
- Withdraw PF and pension funds without any issues.
In short, the purpose of UAN is to make sure that your retirement savings stay accessible, transparent, and safe. By 2025, the act of activating UAN is no longer a choice, but a must for every salaried employee.
Who Needs UAN Registration?
UAN registration is compulsory for all salaried employees who are contributing to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). If you are an employee of a firm that deducts EPF from your salary, you require a UAN for managing your PF account as well as availing online services.
Both fresh joiners and job changers need to register or activate their UAN. Fresh joiners get a UAN assigned by their employer during the induction process. In case you have a pre-existing UAN with your previous employment, your new employer will transfer your existing UAN to your present PF account so all your contributions remain linked under one number.
Suggested Read: Employee Benefits in India: Everything You Need to Know in 2025
Documents Required for UAN Registration
Before you begin, keep these handy to avoid delays:
- Aadhaar number (mandatory for 2025 registrations).
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP verification and face authentication.
- PAN card for identity verification.
- Bank account details (linked to EPFO records).
- Active email ID for updates and alerts.
Having these ready ensures a smooth UAN activation process.
Step-by-Step Process for UAN Registration in 2025
Registering and activating your UAN in 2025 is easy with Aadhaar-based digital verification. Here’s how you can do it step by step:
Step 1 – Download Apps
Start by downloading two necessary apps: the UMANG app, which offers EPFO services, and the Aadhaar Face RD app, used for biometric face verification. Both can be downloaded on Android and iOS, and installing the latest versions is advisable for a smooth process.
Step 2 – Open UMANG
After download and installation, open the UMANG app and navigate to the EPFO services section. Under the menu here, choose UAN Allotment and Activation to begin the registration process.
Step 3 – Enter Basic Details
The initial screen will request your Aadhaar number and the mobile number associated with Aadhaar. Fill these in carefully, as slight mismatches will block verification from proceeding.
Step 4 – Consent & OTP
You will now notice a consent box requesting permission to authenticate your Aadhaar information. Check this box and click on Send OTP. One-time PIN will be sent immediately to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Step 5 – Verify OTP
Input the OTP received on your phone to authenticate your identity. Once authenticated, the application will lead you directly to the next phase of the process.
Step 6 – Face Authentication
This is a new feature of EPFO launched in 2025. The UMANG app will ask you to launch the Aadhaar Face RD app, where you need to fit your face in the green border on the screen. Remain stationary until the scan is successful. Once verified, the app takes you back to UMANG.
Step 7 – UAN Generation
With the successful face verification, your UAN is created immediately. You will get an SMS alert on your registered mobile number, and you can even download your UAN card from the UMANG app. Subsequently, you can login to the EPFO Member Portal in order to operate your account and avail services such as passbook download or check balance.
How to Activate UAN on EPFO Member Portal
- Go to the official EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal.
- Click on “Activate UAN” from the home page.
- Enter your UAN or Aadhaar number, registered mobile number, and the captcha code.
- Click Submit → you’ll receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
- Enter the OTP to verify your identity.
- Set a strong login password for your UAN account.
- Once completed, your UAN is successfully activated.
How to Log in and Use Your UAN Account
- Visit the EPFO Member Portal and select the login option.
- Enter your UAN, password, and captcha code to log in.
- View and download your PF passbook and check your account balance.
- Track monthly employer contributions to your PF account.
- File withdrawal or transfer claims online when changing jobs.
- Update your KYC details (Aadhaar, PAN, bank account) directly through the portal.
Common Issues During UAN Registration & How to Fix Them
Even with the streamlined Aadhaar-based procedure, workers might encounter minor issues while registering for UAN. Below are the most popular ones and how you can fix them:
- OTP not received: This most commonly occurs when your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is off or has weak network. First of all, verify whether your Aadhaar is registered with your present mobile number. If not, update it at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra. You may also try re-sending the OTP after a few minutes.
- Face authentication failure: The Aadhaar Face RD app can fail when there’s insufficient light or your phone is not stable. Repeat in well-lit conditions, have your face inside the green rectangle, and ensure your camera lens is clean. Rebooting the app also usually resolves the problem.
- Mobile number mismatch: If your Aadhaar contains an older mobile number which you no longer use, OTPs will not be sent. In that case, update your mobile information in Aadhaar prior to proceeding with UAN registration.
- UAN already exists: Your employer might already have created a UAN for you. Don’t create a new one. Try contacting your HR department or simply use the “Know Your UAN” service on the EPFO website to find out.
- Mismatch of personal information: In case your name, birth date, or PAN number is not found in the Aadhaar records, authentication will be unsuccessful. Make sure your information is uniform in Aadhaar, PAN, and bank records before initiating the process.
Benefits of UAN for Employees in 2025
The Universal Account Number is not merely an identification number, it’s a lifetime access card to handle your EPF savings with simplicity. In 2025, its relevance has only increased as EPFO shifts towards a fully digital-first regime.
- A number for life: Your UAN remains constant throughout your professional career, irrespective of how many work stints you make. All your PF accounts become linked under this one number.
- Quick and simple claims: From transferring money from a previous employer to withdrawal of your PF, all of this can be accomplished online without paperwork.
- Transparency in payments: You can monitor monthly employer contributions through UAN, ensuring your retirement corpus is safe and growing as anticipated.
- Compliance simplified: UAN is at the core of EPFO’s 2025 digital-first compliance strategy, making it mandatory for each salaried employee
Conclusion
Your UAN is not a mere number, it’s the key to seamless financial planning and worry-free retirement security. By registering and getting it activated, you ensure your well-earned PF contributions always remain available, transparent, and secure.
The good news? Everything is now digital and takes just a few minutes with Aadhaar-based face verification. Don’t wait until you need your PF money in an emergency, get your UAN registered today and take full charge of your retirement corpus.
FAQs
UAN registration links all your PF accounts under one 12-digit number. It is required for fund transfers, withdrawals, and compliance with EPF rules.
You can generate UAN via the UMANG app or EPFO portal using Aadhaar-based OTP and face authentication. The number is created instantly after verification.
No, Aadhaar is mandatory for UAN registration in 2025. You need an Aadhaar-linked mobile number, PAN, and bank details for KYC.
Go to the EPFO Member Portal, click “Activate UAN,” enter your details, verify with OTP, and set a password. This completes activation.
Click “Forgot Password” on the EPFO portal, verify with your UAN and OTP, and reset the password. Update Aadhaar mobile if needed.
No, one UAN is allotted for life. If multiple exist, you must request EPFO to merge them into a single active UAN.
Registration means generating a new UAN via Aadhaar verification. Activation means enabling login on the EPFO portal with your UAN.
Use the EPFO “Know Your UAN” service with Aadhaar, PAN, or Member ID. Your UAN will be displayed and shared via SMS after OTP verification.
Not to be considered as tax, legal, financial or HR advice. Regulations change over time so please consult a lawyer, accountant or Labour Law expert for specific guidance.
