Last date is today, EPFO members should do this work immediately 

Another major news is here for EPFO members. EPFO has pushed back the deadline for activating your UAN and linking your bank account with Aadhaar to access the ELI scheme until March 15, 2025. This update was shared in a circular from the Ministry of Labor and Employment on February 21. The deadline has been extended multiple times before this.

Previously, the cutoff was set for February 15, 2025. The UAN, or Universal Account Number, is a unique 12-digit identifier assigned by EPFO to every employee. It allows you to monitor and manage your PF balance all in one place. To benefit from the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme, you need to activate your UAN and link your bank account with Aadhaar. This process is overseen by EPFO.

If you don’t complete these steps, you won’t be able to take advantage of the scheme. The ELI scheme was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Union Budget in July 2024.

So, what exactly is UAN?

It’s a 12-digit number provided by EPFO to every working individual. It simplifies the management of all your PF accounts, regardless of how many employers you have. Your UAN stays the same, making it easy to keep track of your PF balance. Employees can activate their UAN using an Aadhaar-based OTP. Here are some straightforward steps to activate your UAN and access the ELI scheme:

Step 1: Head over to the EPFO member portal.

Step 2: Click on the “Activate UAN” link found in the Important Links section.

Step 3: Fill in your UAN, Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, and the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar.

Step 4: Make sure your mobile number is connected to your Aadhaar so you can access all the EPFO digital services.

Step 5: Agree to the Aadhaar OTP verification process.

Step 6: Hit “Get Authorization PIN” to receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile.

Step 7: Enter the OTP to finish the activation process.

Once your activation is successful, you’ll get a password sent to your registered mobile number. After your UAN is activated, you can take advantage of various online EPFO services, like managing your PF account, viewing and downloading your PF passbook, submitting online claims for advances, withdrawals, or transfers, updating your personal details, and tracking your claims in real-time. Basically, you can handle all your PF tasks from the comfort of your home!