EPFO has made Aadhaar seeding mandatory, Here’s how to link online

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made Aadhaar seeding obligatory for all EPF accounts in its notification to employers. Failure to do so would result in the employers' contribution to the EPF account being halted since they would be unable to file Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) for EPF accounts that are not linked with Aadhaar. The EPFO also instructed employers to have all EPF account holders' UAN Aadhaar authenticated.

The EPFO stated in a statement to employers that "Dear Employer, with the coming into force of the Section 142 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, the ECR shall be allowed to be filed only for those members, whose Aadhaar numbers are seeded and verified with the UANs, w.e.f 01.06.2021. Therefore please link your Aadhaar number in the UAN to avail uninterrupted services of the EPFO. Members can validate their Aadhaar with UAN through the online e-KYC facility available on the member portal, as well as the UMANG app, in view of the impending mandatory provisions."

Employees can link their Aadhaar to their Universal Account Number (UAN) through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Aadhaar can be linked to an EPF account both online and offline. So let's discuss how to accomplish it quickly.

How to link Aadhaar with EPF account online?

• Visit https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/ and sign in to your account using the required credentials i.e. UAN and password.
• Now click on the KYC option under the "Manage" section.
• On the next page "Aadhaar" and enter your Aadhaar number and your name as per your Aadhaar card.
• Your Aadhaar will be validated by UIDAI once you save the details.
• You will be able to link your Aadhaar with your EPF account once your KYC document has been validated.

How to link Aadhaar with EPF account using the UMANG app?

The steps to link your EPF account using the UMANG APP are as follows:

• Open the UMANG App on your mobile phone and sign in to the app using either "MPIN" or "Enter OTP" and click on "Continue".
• Now head to the "All Services Tab" and select "EPFO"
• Click on "e-KYC services" under the EPFO section
• Now select the 'Aadhaar Seeding' option under the "e-KYC services" section.
• Now enter your UAN and click on "Get OTP"
• You will get an OTP on your EPF Account registered mobile number.
• Verify the OTP and enter your Aadhaar details.
• An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar registered mobile number and email address once again.
• Your Aadhaar will be linked to your UAN once the OTP authentication is completed.

Steps to link Aadhaar with EPFO account using OTP verification

To link Aadhaar with an EPF account using OTP Verification on EPFO's e-KYC Portal, follow the procedures outlined below.

• Visit https://iwu.epfindia.gov.in/eKYC/ and under the "EPFO Members" section, click on "Link UAN Aadhaar".
• Now enter your UAN and EPF-linked mobile number to generate OTP.
• Now verify the OTP and click on 'Confirm'
• Now enter your Aadhaar number and select "Using Mobile/Email based OTP" for Aadhaar authentication.
• Another OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-registered phone number and email address.
• Now enter the 'CAPTCHA' code and click on 'Submit'.
• Your Aadhaar will be linked to your EPF account after the verification of the received OTP.

How to link Aadhaar with EPF using Biometric Credentials?

Follow the steps below to link your Aadhaar with your EPF account using biometric credentials on the e-KYC Portal:

• Visit https://iwu.epfindia.gov.in/eKYC/ and under the "EPFO Members" section, click on "Link UAN Aadhaar".
• Now enter your UAN and EPF-registered mobile number to generate OTP.
• Enter the OTP received on your mobile number and verify it by clicking on "Confirm OTP".
• Now enter your Aadhaar number and select the "Using Biometrics" option for Aadhaar authentication.
• Now use a registered biometric device to validate your biometrics.
• Enter the 'CAPTCHA' code and click on 'Submit'.