How to Activate UAN Number: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

The Indian government requires employers to offer the EPF facility to all their employees. Both employers and employees contribute a portion of the salary to ensure the employee's financial security.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) issues a Unique Account Number (UAN) for employees with an EPF account to access their holdings. Employees can use this number to log in to the EPF portal, withdraw PF amounts, get loans, etc. Therefore, understanding how to activate UAN number is crucial to accessing these benefits. Read this blog to learn about UAN activation. 

Important Facts You Should Know About Your UAN Number 

Here are some facts that you should know about UAN number to enjoy EPF benefits:

• A UAN number is a unique 12-digit number allocated to employees for PF contributions. Usually, the EPFO assigns this number to an employee, and the Labour and Employment Ministry approves it.
• For a particular employee, the UAN number remains the same throughout their entire career. No matter how often an employee switches jobs, their UAN remains the same.
• In the case of job switching, the EPFO assigns a new account for the EPF and links it with the UAN.
• Employees submit a request for a new EPF ID while submitting their UAN details to the new employer. 
• The UAN thus becomes an umbrella covering multiple EPF accounts or IDs that employers assign to all employees. 

How to Know Your UAN Number Online Using the Official EPFO Portal?

Before knowing how to activate UAN number, you should know what your UAN ID is. You can find it on your salary slip, but you can also see it online.  Follow the steps shown below to know your UAN:

Step 1: Navigate to the official portal of EPFO on a web browser on your device.

Step 2: Locate the tab ‘Important Links’. You will see an option ‘Know your UAN’. Click on it to proceed further.

Step 3: Type in your mobile number in the designated box, fill out a captcha on the screen and click on the button ‘Request OTP’.

Step 4: You will receive an OTP on the mobile number you just entered, type it in, fill out a captcha once again and click ‘Validate OTP’.

Step 5: Type in your name, your birth date and your Aadhaar card number/PAN number/Member ID (EPF account number).

Step 6: Complete the captcha verification, click on the option ‘Show UAN’ and check your UAN. 

How to Know Your UAN Details Offline?

Apart from the online process, you can also check your UAN details from other options. Here are some sources that reflect your UAN:

• Your Employer: When you get a job at an organisation for the first time, your employer will assign you an EPF account. Contact the HR department of your organisation or your employer to learn your UAN.
• Salary Slip: Employers also highlight your UAN on the salary or payslip generated every month. Check your payslip to find your UAN printed on it. 

How to Activate UAN Number Online via EPFO Portal?

Learn how to activate UAN number by visiting the online EPFO portal. Look at the steps you need to follow to activate your UAN number to access your PF account:

Step 1: Open a web browser on your device and head to the official EPFO portal or click here to proceed with the UAN activation. 

Step 2: Look for an option called ‘Important Links’ and under that, locate the option ‘Activate UAN’ and click on it.

Step 3: Choose the option UAN and type in your Unique Account Number. Further, type in your name, birthdate, Aadhaar number and mobile number. 

Step 4: Next, fill out the captcha code shown on the screen, check the consent box and select the option ‘Get Authorisation Pin’.

Step 5: The page will display some important details. Double-check them and tick the checkbox ‘I Agree’.

Step 6: You will receive an OTP on your mobile number, type it into the portal and select the option ‘Validate OTP and Activate UAN’.

Step 7: Your UAN will be activated after the successful verification. You will also get your UAN password on your registered mobile number to sign in to the EPF portal. 

How to Activate UAN Number via the Umang App? 

You can also activate your UAN number using the official Umang app on your smartphone. Follow the steps shown below and learn how to activate UAN number on mobile:

Step 1: Open the application store on your iOS or Android device and search for the Umang application.

Step 2: Download the application, install and open it to proceed with your UAN activation. 

Step 3: Upon opening the app, log in to the application and in the search bar, type EPFO. 

Step 4: You will see a list of services on your screen. Choose ‘UAN Activation’.

Step 5: Type in your UAN, birthdate, legal name, registered email ID and registered phone number in the designated spaces.

Step 6: You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter it, tick the checkbox for the declaration and submit.

Step 7: Your UAN will now be activated and you will receive your UAN password on your registered mobile number.

Steps to Follow to Log in to the EPF Portal Using Your UAN

After learning how to activate UAN number, take a look at the steps on how to log in and access your PF account:

Step 1: Head to the official EPFO portal.

Step 2: Type in your UAN and the password you received on your mobile number during the UAN activation.

Step 3: Fill out the captcha shown on the screen for verification and choose the option ‘Sign in’.

Step 4: After a successful login, you will get access to your PF account online.

Process to Change the Password for Your UAN

It is highly recommended to change your UAN password after the UAN activation to keep your PF account safe. Follow the steps below to change your UAN password:

Step 1: Head to the official web address of EPFO and sign in with your credentials.

Step 2: After successful login, navigate to the option ‘Account Settings’.

Step 3: Under this option, you will have the option to enter your old and new passwords. Type in the password you received on your mobile and the new password you want to set.

Step 4: Select the option ‘Update’ and click on ‘OK’ to approve the password update of your EPF account. You will see a confirmation message after successfully changing your UAN password. 

Steps to Download Your UAN Card via the EPFO Portal 

Now that you know how to activate UAN number, take a look at how to download your UAN card from the portal:

Step 1: Navigate to the official EPFO website and log in to this portal with your UAN and password.

Step 2: Locate the ‘View’ tab on the page after login. Click on it. 

Step 3: Tap on ‘UAN Card’. You will see your card details displayed on the screen.

Step 4: Click the button to download on the top right-hand corner of the screen. Store your UAN card safely on your device after download completion.

Steps to Link Your UAN and Aadhaar Card

Learning how to activate UAN number is important and so is learning how to link your Aadhaar Card and UAN. This will help in the PF transfer or withdrawal process. Here are the detailed steps to link them:

Step 1: Navigate to the official EPFO portal and sign in with your UAN and password.

Step 2: Locate the section ‘Manage’ on the EPFO page and click on the option ‘KYC’ under it.

Step 3: Click the checkbox shown next to the ‘Aadhaar’ option and type in your name and your 12-digit Aadhaar number.

Step 4: Click on the ‘Save’ option to process the request for linking Aadhaar Card and UAN. 

Step 5: You can check your Aadhaar and UAN linking request status under the tab ‘Pending KYC’. Your employer will approve the request. Once approved, your status will be moved to the  ‘Approved KYC’ tab. 

Documents Required for UAN Activation 

For the UAN activation, you need to prepare the following documents:

• Your updated Aadhaar Card
• Your PAN Card
• Details of the bank account you want to link with the EPF account with IFSC
• Prepare other ID verification documents needed in some cases

What Are the Benefits of UAN Activation?

You should know how to activate UAN number as it comes with multiple employee-centric benefits you might not want to miss. Here are the detailed benefits you can enjoy:

• You can track or check your EPF account holdings anytime online from anywhere with an active UAN.
• An active UAN brings you the option to access the online UAN passbook to keep track of your account holdings.
• An active UAN allows you to get a loan against your PF account holdings online if you are in urgent need of funds. 
• You can make partial EPF withdrawals or EPF amount transfers using an active UAN with convenience.
• With an active UAN, you can keep track of your UAN claim status online with ease. 
• An active UAN allows you to update or modify your KYC details, download the UAN card and merge the old and new member or EPF IDs. 
• You can easily download your Provident Fund statements and PF balance verification documents with UAN.
• You can track the history of your job switch with an active UAN number and all your previous member IDs.

Final Word

It is important to understand how to activate UAN number in order to access your PF account. PF accounts serve as a key financial source after retirement. By activating your UAN, you gain the convenience of accessing your EPF account online anytime and from anywhere. This also enables you to easily apply for partial or full PF withdrawals or even request a loan against your PF, without the need to visit the EPFO office in person.

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