EPFO to Enable Instant PF Withdrawals via UPI and ATMs by Mid-2025

By NKTV Digital On Apr 6, 2025

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to introduce a groundbreaking feature that will allow its members to withdraw their provident fund (PF) savings instantly via UPI and ATMs by the end of May or early June 2025. This new system promises to eliminate the long and tedious processes currently involved in accessing PF funds.

The initiative, backed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and approved by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), aims to provide greater convenience for millions of EPFO members across India.

Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, confirmed that employees will be able to withdraw up to Rs 1 lakh instantly through UPI platforms. Additionally, members will have the facility to check their PF balance directly on UPI platforms and transfer funds to their preferred bank accounts without any delays.

At present, accessing PF funds involves submitting online claims and waiting for approvals, which can take several days or even weeks. With the UPI integration, withdrawals will become instant, making the process much more efficient.

In addition to simplifying withdrawals, EPFO is expanding the reasons for PF withdrawals. Employees will now be able to withdraw funds not just for medical emergencies but also for housing, education, and marriage, giving them more financial flexibility.

Sumita Dawra also highlighted significant improvements in EPFO’s digital infrastructure, with over 120 databases integrated into the system. These upgrades have reduced claim processing time to just three days, with 95% of claims being processed automatically. Further enhancements are underway to ensure even greater efficiency.

Moreover, pensioners have benefitted from EPFO’s digital advancements. Since December 2024, approximately 78 lakh pensioners have been able to access their funds from any bank branch, a major improvement from the previous system, where withdrawals were restricted to specific branches.