In the last few months, checking the Provident Fund (PF) balance has become very simple. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced many features to make it easy for workers to track their savings. That’s why more people are now checking their PF balances online or using mobile apps. According to Google Trends, searches related to PF balance check have seen a big jump recently, making it one of the most searched topics in the finance category.
One of the main reasons behind this surge is the ease with which people can now check their PF balance—even if they don’t have or remember their Universal Account Number (UAN).
What Is UAN and Why Is It Needed?
UAN or Universal Account Number is a unique 12-digit number provided by EPFO to every employee contributing to the Provident Fund. It acts as an umbrella for multiple PF accounts allotted to a single member by different employers. Ideally, to check PF balance online, you need an active UAN which should also be linked to Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account.
But now, even if you don’t have your UAN number, EPFO gives you other ways to check your PF balance using your registered mobile number.
How to Check PF Balance Without UAN Number
If you do not have access to your UAN but your mobile number is registered with EPFO and linked to KYC, you can still check your PF balance. Here are two easy ways:
1. Missed Call Facility
You can give a missed call to 9966044425 from your mobile number that is linked to your PF account. After the missed call, you will get an SMS with your PF balance details. This service is available in 10 regional languages.
Important Tip: Your UAN should be activated and linked to Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details for this service to work.
2. Check via SMS
EPFO also provides an SMS service for checking PF balance without needing internet or smartphone.
Steps:
- Open the SMS box on your phone.
- Type: EPFOHO UAN ENG
- Send it to 7738299899 from your registered mobile number.
You can also get the message in your preferred language. For example:
- For Hindi: EPFOHO UAN HIN
- For Marathi: EPFOHO UAN MAR
- For Bengali: EPFOHO UAN BEN
Once you send the SMS, you will get the balance details in your preferred language within seconds.
How to Check PF Balance With UAN Number
If you have your UAN and it is activated, then you can check your PF balance in multiple easy ways. Make sure your mobile number is linked with your UAN.
1. Through EPFO Website
Here is how to do it step-by-step:
- Visit the official website of EPFO – https://www.epfindia.gov.in
- Go to the ‘For Employees’ section under ‘Services’.
- Click on ‘Member Passbook’.
- Enter your UAN number, password, and captcha code.
- You will receive an OTP on your mobile linked to Aadhaar.
- Enter the OTP and login to see your passbook and current balance.
This method shows not only the balance but also monthly deposits made by your employer.
2. Using the UMANG App
UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) is a government app that makes it simple to access various government services including EPFO.
Steps to use the UMANG app:
- Download the app from Play Store or App Store.
- Register using your mobile number.
- Select ‘EPFO’ from the list of services.
- Choose ‘Employee Centric Services’.
- Click on ‘View Passbook’.
- Enter your UAN and the OTP received on your registered mobile number.
- You can now see your passbook showing monthly contributions and total balance.
The UMANG app also allows users to file and track PF withdrawal or transfer claims, making it a one-stop solution for PF services.
Additional Tips for PF Members
- Make sure your UAN is active and your KYC documents (Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account) are linked to enjoy all digital services.
- Use the EPFO portal to download your UAN card, update KYC, and even track transfer or withdrawal claims.
- If your UAN is not active or you don’t know it, you can get it from your employer or retrieve it online using your Aadhaar number or PAN.
Why This Matters Now
Since EPFO has made claim settlement and transfer processes easier, more people are checking their PF balance regularly. Also, with the introduction of auto-transfer of PF from old to new accounts, the need to keep a check on your PF amount has increased.
In fact, EPFO recently released data showing that more than 6 crore active members are regularly checking their PF details. And with the latest tools like missed call, SMS, and UMANG, the dependency on only UAN is decreasing, making the process more flexible and user-friendly.
Source: Financial Express, EPFO, UMANG App
