EPFO: Your employer determines where your salary goes based on the bank details you give them. EPFO doesn’t play a role in that monthly payment at all. What EPFO actually manages is the bank account linked to your UAN, which is where your PF withdrawals, advances, final settlements, and EPS pension payments are directed. If you’ve changed your main bank, it’s a good idea to update this EPFO bank record too, so future payments go to the right account.
Ensure your new account is set up
Before you head to the EPFO portal, make sure your new bank account is fully operational, KYC-compliant, and in your name, matching the name format on your Aadhaar and EPFO profile. It’s best to keep joint accounts as “either or survivor.” Also, check that mobile banking and SMS alerts are functioning, since both EPFO and your bank will depend on OTPs and alerts during the change process. Small errors in spelling or initials are among the most common reasons for KYC rejection and delayed claims.
Updating bank details on the EPFO member portal
Once your new account is ready, log into the EPFO member e-Sewa portal using your UAN, password, and captcha. Navigate to the “Manage” menu and select “KYC.” On the KYC page, you’ll find several options like bank, Aadhaar, and PAN. Under “Bank,” enter your new account number, your name exactly as it appears in bank records, and the correct IFSC, then save. The new bank entry will initially show a “pending” status. Traditionally, this meant waiting for your employer’s digital approval, after which EPFO would verify the account with the bank before marking it as “approved.” In reality, this is still how many organizations operate.
Your employer determines where your salary goes based on the bank details you give them. EPFO doesn’t play a role in that monthly payment at all. What EPFO actually manages is the bank account linked to your UAN, which is where your PF withdrawals, advances, final settlements, and EPS pension payments are directed. If you’ve changed your main bank, it’s a good idea to update this EPFO bank record too, so future payments go to the right account.
If your employer is quick to respond, a simple online bank change typically gets approved within a few days and shows up correctly in your passbook and claim screens shortly after. However, if the EPFO is conducting extra checks with the bank or fixing name discrepancies, it might take a couple of weeks. Keep an eye out for red flags like a ‘rejected’ KYC status with notes about name, IFSC, or account number mismatches, or if your claim has been marked as ‘returned’ because the bank denied the credit. In these situations, you’ll need to fix the details and re-submit instead of assuming the money will magically appear in your new account.