The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) fund has long served as a vital retirement corpus for millions of Indian workers. Yet, it also functions as a financial safety net that members can tap during important life events. One such key event is the marriage of a daughter, where recent rule changes have made accessing funds easier and more flexible.
Recent Updates to EPF Withdrawal Rules
As of October 13, 2025, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has simplified and relaxed the rules around partial withdrawals for marriage and other essential life occasions. The Central Board of Trustees approved a unified framework that merges earlier provisions into broader categories for simplicity and member convenience.
Key Conditions for Withdrawal for Daughter’s Marriage
- Minimum Service Requirement: The member must have completed at least 12 months of service with EPF. This minimum threshold was reduced from the previously cited 7 years, making it more accessible to members who have recently joined or changed jobs.
- Withdrawal Limit: Members can withdraw up to 50% of their own contribution (the employee’s share) along with any interest earned on this amount. Employer contributions are generally excluded from this withdrawal portion.
- Eligible Persons: Withdrawal is permitted not only for the marriage of the member but also for the marriage of the employee’s daughter, son, brother, or sister.
- Frequency of Withdrawal: The rules now allow members to avail of partial withdrawals up to five times specifically for marriage-related purposes, providing greater flexibility for multiple events if needed.
- Documentation Simplified: Unlike before, claims for marriage-related withdrawals can be processed automatically without requiring supporting documents such as marriage cards, thanks to the new automated claim settlement system introduced in October 2025.
How to Check Eligibility and Apply Online
- Check UAN Activation and KYC: Ensure your Universal Account Number (UAN) is active. Your Aadhaar, PAN card, and bank account details (with IFSC code) must be properly linked and verified on the EPFO portal.
- Online Application: Log in to the EPFO Unified Member Portal or use the UMANG mobile app. Navigate to the partial withdrawal section and select the reason as “Marriage.”
- Claim Amount: Enter the amount you want to withdraw (up to the allowed 50% of your contribution plus interest).
- Submit and Track: Submit the request. Claims up to certain limits qualify for auto-processing and are settled quickly. You can track your claim status online through the portal or app.
Benefits of the New EPF Rules
- Greater Accessibility: The reduced minimum service period allows members earlier access to funds for marriage-related expenses.
- Increased Withdrawal Frequency: More frequent withdrawals enable members to meet multiple marriage-related financial needs over time.
- Ease of Documentation: Automatic claim settlement without document submission simplifies the process and speeds up approvals.
- Financial Security: Despite these relaxations, members must maintain a minimum balance of 25% in their EPF account to ensure long-term retirement savings and accrue interest benefits.
This updated framework reflects the EPFO’s effort to make EPF savings more usable for members during significant personal milestones while safeguarding retirement funds for the future.
For those planning to withdraw from EPF for a daughter’s marriage, these streamlined rules and online processes offer a timely financial cushion with less hassle and faster access to money.
