New Delhi: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology (FAT) for generating and activating the Universal Account Number (UAN) through the UMANG mobile app. This step brings a completely digital and contactless experience to EPFO members, simplifying what has traditionally been a cumbersome process and ensuring greater convenience and security.
 

Until now, UANs were mainly generated by employers using employee information submitted to EPFO. Errors in basic details such as name, date of birth, and mobile number were common, often causing delays in claim processing and access to EPFO services. Many employees were not even informed of their UAN, and incorrect or missing mobile numbers prevented timely communication. Even after UAN allocation, activation required a separate Aadhaar OTP validation process on the EPFO portal, which led to confusion and delays. In the financial year 2024-25, out of 1.26 crore UANs issued, only around 44.68 lakh, about 35.3%,  were actually activated.
 

The new face authentication process addresses these issues by allowing employees to generate and activate their UAN directly through the UMANG app. Data is fetched automatically from the Aadhaar database, and the linked mobile number is verified during the process. Once the face authentication is successfully completed, the UAN is generated and immediately activated. Employees can then download their e-UAN card directly from the app, removing any dependency on their employer for this step. This self-service model not only empowers employees but also grants them instant access to key EPFO services such as viewing their passbook, updating KYC, and submitting claims.
 

Members who already have a UAN but have not yet activated it can also use this method to complete the activation process quickly and securely. The adoption of biometric authentication enhances security, reducing the chances of errors and ensuring accurate identification from the very beginning. This advancement is expected to reduce reliance on employers and regional offices, paving the way for a wide range of future self-service options for EPFO members.
 

EPFO has encouraged employers to support first-time employees in using the face authentication method for UAN generation. This will ensure smoother registration and minimise errors in employee data. Furthermore, EPFO plans to extend the use of face authentication technology to its pensioners as well. In collaboration with volunteers from the My Bharat platform, EPFO will soon roll out doorstep services for pensioners to obtain digital life certificates through Jeevan Pramaan, further expanding the reach and ease of its digital services.
 

BI Bureau