Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the proposed portal—E-PRAAPTI—will use Aadhaar-based authentication to allow users to trace legacy accounts, including those created before the introduction of the Universal Account Number (UAN) system.
Introduced in 2014, the UAN assigns a 12-digit unique ID to each EPFO member, linking multiple PF accounts across jobs. However, older accounts without UAN linkage or those left inactive over time have often remained difficult to access. The new system seeks to address that gap by enabling users to retrieve such accounts and update their details after linking and activating their UAN.
In its initial phase, E-PRAAPTI will operate on a member ID-based framework to ensure a controlled rollout. Over time, the platform may expand to assist users who no longer have access to or cannot recall their historical account details.
The initiative is designed to reduce paperwork, limit manual intervention, and improve transparency in account management. It also reflects a wider trend within EPFO towards automation and digital processing.
Recent data shared by the ministry points to a steady rise in claim processing efficiency.
EPFO settled a record 8.31 crore claims in 2025–26, up from 6.01 crore in the previous financial year. A significant share—5.51 crore—were advance or partial withdrawal claims, indicating increased use of PF savings for immediate financial needs.
Automation has played a growing role in this shift. Over 71% of advance claims were processed within three days through an auto mode, compared with about 59% a year earlier. Several processes—including claim submissions, bank account seeding, and fund transfers—have also seen reduced reliance on employer verification.
For instance, millions of members were able to file claims without uploading cheque images, update bank details independently, and transfer funds without employer involvement. Profile corrections and account access have similarly become more user-driven.
In April 2026 alone, more than 61 lakh claims were settled, with nearly three-fourths of advance claims processed automatically and close to 99% of all claims resolved within 20 days.
–With PTI inputs
First Published: Apr 30, 2026 8:14 AM IST
