The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to roll out a new Aadhaar-based digital platform – E-PRAAPTI – aimed at helping millions of subscribers trace and activate long-forgotten or inoperative provident fund (PF) accounts. Announced by Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the initiative is designed to simplify account access, even for those who do not have their Universal Account Number (UAN) linked. The move comes alongside record claim settlements in 2025–26, signalling a broader push to make PF access faster, paperless and more transparent.
What is E-PRAAPTI?
E-PRAAPTI – EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts will act as a dedicated digital system to identify, track and revive old EPF accounts.
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For years, many workers have struggled to access PF savings after switching jobs, losing track of member IDs or failing to link accounts with UAN. This has left substantial amounts unclaimed or inactive.
The new portal aims to fix this long-standing issue by creating a single, user-friendly interface where members can locate their old accounts and bring them back into active use.
Aadhaar-based access even without UAN
One of the biggest shifts is Aadhaar-based authentication.
Members will be able to securely log into the portal using Aadhaar details, even if their old PF account is not linked to a UAN. Once access is granted, users can update their profile details and initiate the process of linking the account to their current UAN.
This removes one of the biggest hurdles in the current system – dependency on employer records or forgotten login details.
Phase-wise rollout: who benefits first
The rollout of E-PRAAPTI will happen in stages.
Initial phase: The platform will be member ID-based. This means users who still have their old PF member ID can immediately access and benefit from the system.
Future expansion: In the next phase, the scope will widen to include users who do not remember or cannot access their member IDs. This step is expected to bring relief to a much larger segment of subscribers.
Less paperwork, faster processing
The Labour Ministry expects the portal to significantly reduce manual intervention and paperwork.
By digitising the entire process – from identification to activation – E-PRAAPTI is likely to:
Cut down documentation requirementsEliminate the need to visit EPFO officesImprove transparency in claim handlingSpeed up account linking and withdrawals
The broader goal is to make PF services fully digital, aligning with ongoing governance reforms.
Record 8.31 crore claims settled in 2025–26
The announcement comes as EPFO reports a sharp rise in claim settlements.
8.31 crore claims settled in FY 2025–26, up from 6.01 crore in FY 2024–255.51 crore claims were advance or partial withdrawals71.11 per cent of advance claims processed in auto mode within three days, up from 59.19 per cent last year
These figures indicate faster access to savings and reduced reliance on manual approvals.
Automation gains: fewer approvals, quicker payouts
Several other improvements highlight how the system is becoming more user-driven:
6.68 crore members filed claims without uploading cheque leaf images1.59 crore users seeded bank accounts without employer approval70.55 lakh transfer claims auto-processed without member or employer intervention24.84 lakh transfers initiated directly by members29.34 lakh users corrected profiles independently61.03 lakh claims were settledNearly 74 per cent of advance claims were processed in auto mode98.70 per cent of claims were settled within 20 days
Why this is a big shift for PF subscribers
The launch of E-PRAAPTI could be a turning point for millions who have lost track of their PF savings.
Until now, accessing old accounts often meant dealing with outdated employer records, missing IDs and lengthy paperwork. With Aadhaar-based access and a digital-first approach, the system is moving towards direct user control.
For subscribers, this means:
Easier recovery of old PF balancesFaster claim settlementsReduced dependency on employersGreater transparency and control