The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has moved some important UAN-related services to the UMANG app, making it possible for members to generate, activate and authenticate their Universal Account Number (UAN) by using Aadhaar-based face authentication. This can be useful for employees who are joining the EPF system for the first time as well as those who already have a UAN but have not activated it.
In a social media post on X (Twitter), the Ministry of Labour & Employment said, “Now, through the UMANG app, you can allot, activate and authenticate your UAN (Universal Account Number). Once you obtain your UAN, it becomes even easier to access online services of the EPFO. You can check your EPF balance, download your passbook.
You can check the status of your claim and also avail benefits of facilities like KYC updates. Download the UMANG app today and take advantage of the EPFO's digital services.”
To generate and active UAN on the UMANG app, EPFO members must:
· Have a valid Aadhaar number
· Have access to an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for one-time password (OTP) verification
· Have or install the Aadhaar Face RD app for face authentication
How to get UAN allocated and activated through the UMANG app?
For users who don’t have a UAN and want to generate and activate it.
Step 1: Open the UMANG App and go to ‘UAN Allotment and Activation’.
Enter details such as the Aadhaar number, mobile number and check the consent checkbox for Aadhaar validation.
Step 2: Tap ‘Send OTP’. (Install the Aadhaar Face RD App if prompted). Enter the OTP sent to your mobile.
Step 3: System checks if Aadhaar is already linked to a UAN: If yes, you’ll be notified. If not, proceed to Face Authentication.
Step 4: On the Face Authentication page, check the consent box.
o Tap “Face Authentication”.
o Face scan is performed.
The system fetches details and generates a new UAN. The UAN is sent via an SMS to your registered mobile number.
What are the issues you can face?
If you get an issue of Invalid Aadhaar/Mobile, recheck and re-enter
OTP Failure- Resend or re-enter OTP
Face Authentication Failure- Retry or contact support
UAN Already Exists- Notification + redirect to Home Page
How to activate UAN on the UMANG app?
For users who already have a UAN but haven’t activated it yet.
Step1 : Open UMANG and go to "UAN Activation".
Step 2: Enter the following details UAN
Aadhaar number
Mobile number
Consent for Aadhaar validation
Step 3: Tap "Send OTP" and verify using your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
Step 4: Proceed with Face Authentication using the UIDAI API.
Step 5: After successful verification:
Your UAN gets activated
You receive the UAN and a temporary password via an SMS. Your EPFO database is updated with a photo and address.
How to do face authentication of already activated UANs via UMANG App
For users with an already activated UAN who need to update EPFO records via biometric verification, the face authentication process will be as follows-
Step 1: Open the UMANG app and tap "Face Authentication of Already Activated UANs".
Step 2: Provide consent and proceed with Face Authentication.
Step 3: The system uses UIDAI API to verify identity and fetches:
UAN
Aadhaar details
Registered mobile number
Step 4: The EPFO records are automatically updated with the verified information
Check EPF balance; download passbook
Once the UAN is generated and activated, members can use the EPFO’s online services to check their EPF balance, download the passbook, track claims and manage services such as Know Your Customer (KYC). However, members need an Aadhaar number, an Aadhaar-linked mobile number and the Aadhaar Face RD app to use these services.
What is the UMANG App?
UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) provides a single platform for all Indian citizens to access pan India e-Gov services ranging from central to local government bodies. It has been developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) to drive mobile governance in India.
