Many employees change jobs multiple times during their careers and often lose track of their old Provident Fund (PF) accounts. In some cases, the balance remains in inactive accounts because it was never transferred to the current Universal Account Number (UAN) or due to technical issues during the transfer process.

To simplify this process, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced a new digital platform called E-PRAAPTI, which is designed to help eligible members identify and manage old PF accounts using Aadhaar-based verification.

What Is the E-PRAAPTI Portal?

E-PRAAPTI is a digital initiative intended to make it easier for EPF members to trace eligible old PF accounts and take action without visiting EPFO offices.

After verifying your identity through Aadhaar, the portal is designed to help you:

• Locate eligible old or inactive PF accounts.

• Transfer the balance to your active UAN-linked EPF account, where applicable.

• Submit a claim for withdrawal if you are eligible under EPFO rules.

The objective is to reduce paperwork and make PF-related services more accessible online.

How Can It Help Employees?

If you have switched jobs and an older PF account was never merged with your current UAN, the portal may help you consolidate your retirement savings.

Keeping all your PF savings under a single active UAN can make it easier to:

• Track your EPF balance.

• Receive interest on eligible balances.

• Manage future withdrawals or transfers.

• Reduce the risk of forgotten or inactive accounts.

Do You Need Old PF Details?

According to information shared by the government in Parliament, users will generally need sufficient details to identify the old account, such as:

• Aadhaar linkage, or

• Information relating to the previous PF account.

If an old account cannot be linked to your identity or you do not have the necessary details, recovery may not always be possible through the portal alone.

Less Paperwork, More Online Services

EPFO has been expanding its digital services to make member-related processes faster and more transparent.

Some services that have gradually moved online include:

• KYC updates

• Online Joint Declaration submissions (where applicable)

• PF transfer requests

• Online claim filing

• Status tracking of claims

Digitising these services aims to reduce delays and minimise the need for physical paperwork.

EPFO Interest Crediting Also Underway

In another update for EPF members, EPFO has begun crediting the 8.25% annual interest approved for the financial year 2025–26 to eligible subscribers' accounts.

Members can verify whether interest has been credited by:

• Checking their EPF passbook through the EPFO Member Portal.

• Viewing their passbook in the UMANG app.

• Looking for SMS notifications from EPFO, where applicable.

The Bottom Line

The E-PRAAPTI portal is expected to make it easier for employees to locate and manage eligible old PF accounts through Aadhaar-based verification, reducing paperwork and simplifying the transfer process. However, members should ensure that their Aadhaar, UAN, and KYC details are up to date, as some account information may still be required to identify older EPF records.

Note: Features, eligibility conditions, and the rollout of the E-PRAAPTI portal may evolve over time. Members should refer to official EPFO notifications and guidelines for the latest information before submitting claims or transfer requests.