EPFO Update: A PF account is crucial for an employee’s future financial security. By the time of retirement, sufficient funds have accumulated to ensure a comfortable life thereafter. For salaried individuals, the PF account is a highly trusted financial tool. In a welcome move, the EPFO has provided significant relief to its millions of account holders.
Employees often face difficulties when trying to activate their UAN (Universal Account Number)—such as not receiving the OTP on their Aadhaar-linked mobile number or encountering fingerprint mismatch issues. However, you can now easily activate your UAN without needing an OTP.
How to access the face authentication facility
To resolve these issues, the EPFO has introduced a face authentication feature on the UMANG app. PF account holders can now easily activate their UAN by simply scanning their faces and quickly avail themselves of EPFO’s digital services.
UMANG App: A special app from the Central Government that allows you to access various government services, including those offered by the EPFO. Aadhaar FaceRD App: The official app from UIDAI that operates in the background to verify your identity by scanning your face.
Understanding the UAN activation process
First, open the UMANG app on your mobile. If you do not have an account, register using your mobile number and log in.
Next, type ‘EPFO’ in the search bar at the top of the app’s homepage and open the official EPFO page.
Then, navigate to the EPFO section, go to ‘Employee Centric Services,’ and click on the ‘UAN Activation’ or ‘UAN Activity’ option.
After this, enter your details, such as your UAN, name, date of birth, and registered mobile number.
On the subsequent verification screen, you will see the ‘Face Authentication’ option alongside the OTP option; click on it.
Your mobile’s front camera will activate. Look at the camera and blink once. Ensure there is adequate lighting. Once your face is matched, the verification will be completed immediately. A “UAN Successfully Activated” message will appear on the screen, and a password will be sent to your mobile number.
Key Feature Highlights
It is worth noting that this new EPFO feature is highly beneficial for millions of employees. Issues related to network connectivity or outdated mobile numbers will no longer be a problem; your face itself will serve as your identity. The face authentication technology recognises a live face, ensuring that no one can fraudulently misuse your PF account.
