EPFO: The EPFO has retained the interest rate at 8.25% for fiscal year 2026, bringing relief to millions of Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) members. The Ministry of Labor and Employment announced this on March 2, 2026. Although more than two months have passed since the interest rate announcement, the interest amount has not yet been reflected in the accounts of most account holders.
When will the interest for EPF be credited to your account?
Once the EPFO announces the interest rate, it needs to get approval from the central government. Following this, they must reconcile millions of accounts and update their records. This is the reason it takes a while for the interest to be credited. Generally, the interest for the previous financial year is credited to EPF accounts between June and September. Hence, members can expect to see interest entries in their accounts in the upcoming months.
The EPFO has made it clear that although it may take some time for the interest to be credited, all eligible members will receive the complete interest. It’s also worth mentioning that interest entries do not show up at the same time in passbooks for all accounts. This update may occur at different times for various accounts.
How can you check if the interest has been credited or not?
EPF members have several options to verify whether the interest has been credited to their account.
1. UMANG App: You can check your EPF passbook by logging into the UMANG app.
2. EPFO Portal: You can view your passbook by visiting the official EPFO website.
3. Missed Call Service: You can use EPFO’s missed call service from your registered mobile number.
4. SMS facility: You can obtain account details by sending an SMS from the mobile number linked to your UAN.
If the interest has been credited, the last entry in the passbook might look like this, “Int. Updated up to 31/03/2026”.
EPFO 3.0 will introduce the ability to withdraw money via UPI
The EPFO is set to launch a significant feature under its new digital platform, EPFO 3.0, which will enable members to transfer funds directly from their PF accounts to their bank accounts. With EPFO 3.0, PF funds will be transferred directly to bank accounts using UPI, withdrawal information will be accessible on the UMANG app, and secure transfers will be facilitated through QR codes. Once the funds are deposited into the bank account, they can be utilized via ATM or UPI. The auto-settlement limit has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
No more long process
The new system will reduce the need for long waits and multiple approvals for PF withdrawals. Members will be able to receive funds directly into their linked bank accounts and use them as needed. EPFO 3.0 is considered a major digital reform for employees. It is expected to make the PF withdrawal process faster, easier, and more transparent than before.
