The Universal Account Number (UAN) is your gateway to managing your Employee Provident Fund (EPF) online. Activating your UAN is the first step to accessing EPFO services like checking your EPF balance, transferring funds between employers, submitting withdrawal claims, and updating your KYC details. In this 2026 guide, we walk you through every step of UAN activation, EPFO login, password recovery, and KYC updates.

What is UAN?

UAN (Universal Account Number) is a 12-digit unique identification number assigned to every EPF member by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). It acts as a master account that links all your EPF member IDs (one from each employer) under a single umbrella.

Key facts about UAN:

  • One UAN for life: Unlike your EPF member ID which changes with each employer, your UAN remains the same throughout your career, regardless of how many times you change jobs.
  • Assigned by EPFO: Your employer allots the UAN when you join your first EPF-covered job. If you have been employed since before 2014, your employer would have allotted it during the UAN rollout.
  • Links multiple PF accounts: Each employer creates a new member ID (also called PF number), but all these IDs are linked to your single UAN. This makes EPF transfers and withdrawals seamless.
  • Mandatory for online services: Without an activated UAN, you cannot use any EPFO online services — no balance check, no transfer, no withdrawal, no KYC update.
  • Aadhaar linked: As of 2026, Aadhaar linkage with UAN is mandatory for all EPF operations including claim submissions.

How to Find Your UAN

If you do not know your UAN number, here are the ways to find it:

Check Your Salary Slip

Most employers print the UAN on the monthly salary slip. Look for a 12-digit number labeled "UAN" or "Universal Account Number" on your pay slip. This is the quickest way to find your UAN without visiting any portal.

Ask Your Employer

Your HR or payroll department can provide your UAN number. They maintain records of all employee UANs as part of EPF compliance. Contact your HR team and they can share your UAN from their EPFO employer portal.

Find UAN on EPFO Portal

  1. Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
  2. Click on "Know your UAN" link below the login form
  3. Enter your Aadhaar number, PAN number, or EPF member ID
  4. Enter your name, date of birth, email, or mobile number
  5. Enter the CAPTCHA code
  6. Click "Get Authorization Pin"
  7. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number
  8. Enter the OTP and click "Validate OTP"
  9. Your UAN will be displayed on screen

Find UAN via UMANG App

You can also find your UAN through the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app. Download UMANG from Google Play Store or Apple App Store, search for EPFO services, and use the "Know your UAN" feature. Enter your Aadhaar or PAN and verify via OTP to retrieve your UAN.

UAN Activation Steps

Once you have your UAN number, you need to activate it before you can login to the EPFO portal. UAN activation is a one-time process that links your UAN to your mobile number and sets up your login credentials.

Prerequisites for UAN Activation

  • Your 12-digit UAN number
  • Aadhaar number linked with a mobile number (mandatory for OTP)
  • Date of birth as per EPFO records
  • Active mobile number (preferably the one linked with Aadhaar)

Step-by-Step UAN Activation

  1. Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
  2. Click on "Activate UAN" link below the login button
  3. Enter your 12-digit UAN number
  4. Enter your Aadhaar number
  5. Enter your name as per Aadhaar
  6. Enter your date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
  7. Enter your mobile number (must be linked with Aadhaar)
  8. Enter the CAPTCHA code
  9. Click "Get Authorization Pin"
  10. An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
  11. Enter the OTP in the verification field
  12. Click "Validate OTP and Activate UAN"
  13. On successful verification, you will be prompted to set a password
  14. Create a strong password (minimum 8 characters, with uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character)
  15. Click "Submit"
  16. Your UAN is now activated. A confirmation message will be displayed with your UAN and registered mobile number

What Happens After Activation

After successful UAN activation:

  • You can login to the EPFO member portal using your UAN and the password you just set.
  • Your mobile number is registered with EPFO for future OTP-based verifications.
  • You can view your EPF passbook, check balance, and submit claims online.
  • You will receive SMS alerts for all EPF transactions (credits, debits, claim status).

EPFO Member Portal Login

Once your UAN is activated, logging into the EPFO member portal is straightforward. Here is how to access your EPF account:

Login Process

  1. Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
  2. Enter your 12-digit UAN in the "UAN" field
  3. Enter your password in the "Password" field
  4. Enter the CAPTCHA code
  5. Click "Sign In"
  6. You will be redirected to your EPF member dashboard

What You Can Do After Login

ServiceDescription
View PassbookCheck your EPF balance, employer contributions, and transaction history
Download UAN CardDownload your UAN card in PDF format
Update KYCAdd or update bank account, Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving license
Track Claim StatusCheck the status of your EPF withdrawal or transfer claims
Raise Transfer RequestTransfer EPF from old employer to new employer
Submit Withdrawal ClaimApply for full or partial EPF withdrawal online
Update ProfileChange your mobile number, email, or other personal details

Password Reset

If you have forgotten your EPFO portal password, you can reset it easily using your UAN and Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Here is the process:

How to Reset EPFO Password

  1. Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
  2. Click on "Forgot Password?" link below the login form
  3. Enter your 12-digit UAN
  4. Enter the CAPTCHA code
  5. Click "Get Authorization Pin"
  6. Select verification method: Registered mobile number or Aadhaar-linked mobile
  7. Enter the OTP received on your mobile
  8. Click "Verify"
  9. Enter your new password (must meet complexity requirements)
  10. Confirm the new password
  11. Click "Submit"
  12. Your password is reset. You can now login with the new password

Password Requirements

  • Minimum 8 characters, maximum 20 characters
  • At least one uppercase letter (A–Z)
  • At least one lowercase letter (a–z)
  • At least one number (0–9)
  • At least one special character (!@#$%^&*)
  • Should not contain your UAN, name, or date of birth

What If My Mobile Number Has Changed?

If you no longer have access to your registered mobile number, you have two options:

  • Use Aadhaar OTP: The EPFO portal allows password reset using Aadhaar-based OTP. Select the "Aadhaar OTP" option during password reset, and the OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
  • Update mobile via employer: If Aadhaar OTP is also not working, ask your employer to update your mobile number in the EPFO employer portal. Once updated, you can use the new number for password reset.

KYC Update on EPFO

Updating your KYC (Know Your Customer) details on the EPFO portal is essential for smooth EPF operations. Without KYC, you cannot submit online claims for withdrawal or transfer.

Documents Required for KYC

  • Aadhaar: 12-digit Aadhaar number — mandatory for all EPF operations
  • Bank Account: Bank account number and IFSC code — mandatory for claim settlements
  • PAN: Permanent Account Number — required if your EPF withdrawal exceeds ₹50,000 and service is less than 5 years
  • Passport: Passport number — optional, used as additional identity proof
  • Driving License: DL number — optional
  • Voter ID: Election card number — optional

How to Update KYC

  1. Login to the EPFO member portal with UAN and password
  2. Click on "Manage" in the top menu
  3. Select "KYC" from the dropdown
  4. You will see a list of documents (Aadhaar, PAN, Bank, Passport, etc.)
  5. Select the document you want to add or update
  6. Enter the document number, issuing authority, and expiry date (if applicable)
  7. Click "Save"
  8. The KYC status will show as "Pending" until verified by your employer
  9. Once your employer approves the KYC, the status changes to "Approved"

Employer Verification

After you submit KYC details on the portal, your employer needs to digitally approve them. This is done through the employer's EPFO portal using their Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). The verification typically takes 1–3 working days. You can check the KYC status by logging into the member portal and navigating to "Manage" → "KYC".

Linking Aadhaar with UAN is mandatory for all EPF members as of 2026. Without Aadhaar linking, you cannot submit any EPF claims online, and your employer cannot remit EPF contributions.

Methods to Link Aadhaar

Method 1: Online via EPFO Portal

  1. Login to EPFO member portal with UAN and password
  2. Click "Manage" → "KYC"
  3. Under "Aadhaar", enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number
  4. Enter your name as per Aadhaar
  5. Click "Save"
  6. The system will verify your Aadhaar details with UIDAI
  7. If details match, Aadhaar will be linked instantly
  8. OTP verification may be required if UIDAI data mismatch is detected

Method 2: Online via UIDAI Website

You can also link Aadhaar with EPF through the UIDAI website at resident.uidai.gov.in. Under the "Link Aadhaar with EPF" option, enter your UAN and Aadhaar number, verify via OTP, and the linkage will be processed within 24 hours.

Method 3: Via Jeevan Pramaan

For senior citizens and pensioners, Aadhaar can be linked with UAN through the Jeevan Pramaan (Digital Life Certificate) portal at jeevanpramaan.gov.in. This method also serves as a life certificate submission for EPS pensioners.

Method 4: Offline via Employer

If online methods fail due to data mismatch or technical issues, you can submit a physical Joint Declaration form (available on the EPFO website) along with a copy of your Aadhaar to your employer. The employer will forward it to the EPFO regional office for manual processing.

Calculate your EPF maturity amount

Use our free EPF Calculator to estimate your EPF corpus at retirement, including employer contribution and interest.

Use EPF Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

How to activate UAN for the first time?

Visit unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in, click 'Activate UAN', enter your UAN, Aadhaar, name, date of birth, and mobile number. Verify via OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile. After verification, set a password. Your UAN will be activated and you can login immediately.

I forgot my UAN number. How to find it?

You can find your UAN by visiting the EPFO portal and clicking 'Know your UAN'. Enter your Aadhaar, PAN, or member ID along with your mobile number. An OTP will be sent to verify your identity, and your UAN will be displayed. You can also check your salary slip — most employers print the UAN on it.

What to do if UAN activation fails?

UAN activation usually fails due to mismatch in details between EPFO and Aadhaar. Ensure your name, date of birth, and gender match exactly in both databases. If there is a mismatch, update your Aadhaar details at an Aadhaar enrollment centre or ask your employer to update EPFO records. After correction, retry activation.

How to reset UAN password?

Visit the EPFO member portal, click 'Forgot Password', enter your UAN, and verify via OTP sent to your registered mobile number or Aadhaar-linked mobile. Set a new password. If your mobile number has changed, you can use Aadhaar-based OTP for password reset.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for UAN activation?

Yes, Aadhaar is now mandatory for UAN activation. The EPFO has made Aadhaar-based e-KYC compulsory for all EPF members. Without Aadhaar, you cannot activate UAN, submit claims, or use online EPF services. Your Aadhaar must be linked with your mobile number for OTP verification.