The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) plans a new digital platform that will help people find and use old provident fund accounts. Many workers in India have PF money that they cannot access due to missing records, job changes, or lack of proper details. This new system aims to solve that problem in a simple and direct way.
The platform, called E-PRAAPTI, will use Aadhaar details to verify identity. It will help people trace old accounts and connect them to one active account. This move shows a clear push toward a more digital and easy system for retirement savings in India.
A large amount of PF money sits idle in inactive accounts. Recent data shows that about 31.87 lakh accounts remain inoperative. These accounts hold nearly ₹10,915 crore. This shows how serious the issue has become.
Many people change jobs and forget to transfer PF money. Some accounts were created before the Universal Account Number system came into place. In such cases, records stay scattered. Due to this, people lose track of their savings even though the money still exists.
The E-PRAAPTI portal will act as a central place where people can search for old PF accounts. Aadhaar will play a key role in identity checks. Once verified, the system will show linked accounts, even those created many years ago.
After that, users can connect those accounts to a single UAN. This step will bring all savings under one profile. The process will need very little paperwork, as Aadhaar will handle most verification needs.
The platform will also allow updates in personal details. Users can correct name, date of birth, or other information. This helps avoid errors during withdrawal or transfer.
The goal of this system is speed and ease. In the past, PF claims took time due to manual checks and missing records. With Aadhaar-based checks, the process becomes faster and more reliable.
The EPFO already tested small steps in this direction. A pilot project allowed auto-settlement of inactive accounts with balances up to ₹1,000. In such cases, money goes straight to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
Another new change includes PF withdrawal through UPI. This makes access quicker than traditional methods. Face authentication through mobile apps also helps users activate accounts without visiting offices.
EPFO handles a very large number of accounts across India. In the financial year 2025–26, about 83.1 million claims were settled. This shows how wide the system is and how many people depend on it.
At the same time, inactive accounts remain a concern. Over 31 lakh such accounts still exist, with thousands of crores locked inside. Plans are in place to clear about ₹5,200 crore from these idle accounts through auto-settlement and digital tools.
This new platform can reduce such backlog in a big way.
The new system will help workers access money that belongs to them. Many people do not know that old PF balances still exist in their name. With this platform, they can find and use those funds with ease.
The process will also become faster. Digital checks reduce delays. There will be less need to visit offices or submit many documents.
This system will also help people from informal work backgrounds. Those who change jobs often or work in different sectors will find it easier to track savings.
Another benefit is better transparency. A single account with full details reduces confusion. It also lowers chances of errors or fraud.
Aadhaar forms the backbone of this platform. It links identity with financial records in a secure way. This allows quick verification and smooth access.
With Aadhaar-based KYC, the system ensures that only the rightful owner can claim the money. This improves safety and trust.
The use of Aadhaar also reduces the need for physical documents. This saves time and effort for users.
EPFO plans more updates in the future. One idea includes PF withdrawal through ATMs. This can make access even more simple.
There are also plans to expand auto-settlement for larger balances. This means more people can get their money without long wait times.
The system may also connect with other digital services. This can create a unified financial setup where identity, banking, and savings work together.
This move shows a shift toward a modern and digital social security system. It focuses on ease, speed, and access. With the help of technology, long-standing issues can find better solutions.
Millions of workers stand to benefit from this change. Money that once stayed locked may soon reach its rightful owners.
The E-PRAAPTI platform marks an important step in this journey. It aims to make PF access simple, clear, and fast for everyone.