Salaried employees can now withdraw PF instantly through UPI – Obnews

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) is set to launch a dedicated mobile app by April 2026, enabling its ~8 crore members to instantly withdraw eligible EPF amounts directly into linked bank accounts through Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

Part of the EPFO ​​3.0 digital upgrade, the app aims to be a paperless, easy process just like banking apps. To safeguard retirement savings, a portion of the EPF balance (minimum 25%) will be frozen/locked, while the remaining portion can be transferred using a UPI PIN—bypassing traditional multi-day claims.

Key features include viewing eligible balance and passbook details within the app, allowing funds to be credited almost instantly. Auto-Settlement Mode (better than ever) processes claims electronically in 3 days without any manual intervention; The claim limit for needs like illness, education, marriage or housing has been increased to ₹5 lakh (from ₹1 lakh). Proposed UPI transaction cap: ₹25,000 per transfer (under discussion).

The Ministry of Labor is conducting a trial on 100 dummy accounts to fix technical glitches before the rollout. The new app will serve as the primary platform for UPI withdrawals, while the Unified Member Portal and UMANG app will continue to provide other services.

The initiative simplifies access, reduces EPFO’s workload (handling 5+ crore claims annually), and modernizes services amid India’s digital push.

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