India’s Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced that from 1 August 2025, the UMANG mobile app will become the mandatory platform for generating and activating Universal Account Numbers (UAN), using Aadhaar-based face authentication to improve accuracy and security.
Why UMANG Matters for Provident Fund Access
The Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) was launched by the Government of India to consolidate public services on one platform. According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, more than 1,700 services from over 300 government departments are now integrated into the app.
The EPFO’s integration allows members to check provident fund balances, download passbooks, track claims, and access pension-related services directly from their phones. Officials say this reduces dependence on employers and streamlines processes that previously required visits to regional offices.
Aadhaar Face Authentication: The New Standard
Under the new policy, UAN allotment and activation must be completed through Aadhaar-based face recognition technology. This process requires workers to use both the UMANG app and the Aadhaar Face RD app, which verifies identities through live face scans.
In an April 2025 press release, the EPFO said, “The new system will minimise data entry errors by directly fetching demographic details from Aadhaar records, while ensuring faster and more secure activation of UANs.”
Workers will also need to ensure that their Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers are active, as one-time passwords (OTPs) remain part of the verification process.
Services Available on the EPFO UMANG App
According to the UMANG portal, the following services are accessible:
- UAN generation and activation via Aadhaar face authentication.
- Passbook downloads, including recent contributions and full statements.
- Claim submissions for provident fund withdrawals and transfers.
- Claim status tracking, allowing members to follow progress without employer intervention.
- UAN card downloads in digital format.
- Pension services, including pension passbooks and Pension Payment Order (PPO) downloads.
- Grievance redressal mechanisms, establishment searches, and EPFO office locators.
Impact on Workers and Employers
Labour experts note that the shift to UMANG represents a major digital transition for India’s workforce. Dr. R.K. Sharma, a policy analyst at the National Labour Institute, said the move “empowers employees by reducing dependency on employers for basic EPF functions, while also ensuring data consistency across systems.”
However, trade unions have expressed concern about digital access for low-income or rural workers. The All India Trade Union Congress stated that “while digitalisation improves efficiency, it must be matched with awareness campaigns and accessibility measures for workers without smartphones or internet literacy.”
The EPFO has clarified that exemptions exist for international workers and citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, who may continue to rely on employer-facilitated processes.
How Members Can Prepare
To comply with the new requirements, EPFO members should:
- Download the UMANG app and the Aadhaar Face RD app.
- Ensure that Aadhaar details, including the linked mobile number, are correct.
- Use UMANG to generate or activate UANs before attempting to access provident fund services.
- Familiarise themselves with passbook, claim, and grievance tools available on the app.
The EPFO has said that service centres and outreach programmes will be expanded to help workers transition.
Conclusion
The mandatory use of the UMANG app for UAN generation and activation underscores the Indian government’s broader push towards digital governance. While the change promises faster, more secure access to provident fund services, its success will depend on bridging the digital divide and ensuring all workers can benefit equally.
