**EPFO 3.0** is a major technological overhaul by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) to modernize its system for its over 8 crore active members who manage funds worth around Rs 28 lakh crore. According to *The Indian Express* report (quoting a senior government official on January 21-22, 2026), this upgrade will be a complete overhaul of the existing EPFO 2.0 phase, with a new user-friendly portal, advanced backend architecture, and a core banking-style solution for real-time processing, scalability, and centralized operations. This will enable complaints, service requests and their resolution from any EPFO office across the country, irrespective of where the account is registered.
Key features include AI-powered tools for communication and information (e.g. using platforms like Bhashini), which will be available in regional/local languages, making services more accessible. This change prepares EPFO for increased responsibilities under the upcoming labor codes, which will potentially include more unorganized sector workers and management of additional social security funds for gig/platform workers.
**UPI Withdrawal** A much awaited change: Members will soon be able to withdraw the eligible EPF amount directly through UPI (initially through the BHIM app), the system will display the total balance, amount that can be withdrawn and the mandatory 25% minimum balance to be maintained. Internal discussions suggest that initially there will be a limit of Rs 25,000 per transaction. This is based on the October 2025 policy update, which reduced the withdrawal categories from 13 to three (needs such as illness/education/marriage, housing needs, and special circumstances) and simplified the rules for the duration of unemployment.
**Launch Timeline**: The UPI-linked withdrawal feature – which is the most visible update – is expected to go live by **April 2026**. EPFO 2.0 (current phase) is in its final stages, with only a few modules (pension, claims, annual account) left. The larger rollout of EPFO 3.0 will happen in phases (tender process is ongoing), with preparatory work progressing rapidly (potentially completed in 1-2 months according to some reports). There is no set launch date for the entire EPFO 3.0 platform, but it aims to achieve future-ready efficiencies.
These reforms combine traditional Social Security with the speed of fintech, reducing paperwork and delays for members.
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