New Delhi, November 2: In a major step towards making provident fund services more accessible, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced a verified WhatsApp-based service that will allow subscribers to check their PF balance, view passbooks and access their latest transactions directly from their mobile phones.
Representaional Image
Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the new digital initiatives on Sunday, aimed at improving convenience and reducing the need for subscribers to visit EPFO offices for routine services.
Through the new WhatsApp facility, members will be able to access their provident fund balance, view their passbook, check recent transactions and receive personalised guidance regarding the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
According to the Labour Ministry, the initiative will make essential EPF services available through a familiar mobile platform, ensuring easier access and a more convenient experience for subscribers.
Automatic Settlement of Small Inoperative PF Accounts
In another significant reform, EPFO has introduced automatic settlement of eligible inoperative provident fund accounts carrying balances of up to ₹1,000.
Under the new system, subscribers with Aadhaar-verified inoperative accounts will no longer need to submit individual claims to withdraw their eligible dues. Following the prescribed identity and bank account verification, the amount will be automatically transferred to the rightful beneficiaries.
The initiative is expected to benefit approximately one lakh accounts, involving a total amount of nearly ₹5 crore.
EPFO Focuses on Digital and Worker-Friendly Reforms
EPFO currently has more than 34 crore total members, including over 8 crore active subscribers, and manages a retirement fund corpus of approximately ₹32 lakh crore.
Addressing the organisation’s 74th Foundation Day celebrations, Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stressed the importance of making social security services more compassionate, accessible and responsive to workers’ needs.
He urged officials to introduce more worker-centric innovations ahead of EPFO’s 75th anniversary and called for continuous improvements in service delivery to keep pace with changing times.
Labour Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar also highlighted the need to extend social protection and labour reforms to workers in both organised and unorganised sectors. He emphasised that digital transformation and administrative reforms must focus on accessibility and ease of living for ordinary citizens.
With the introduction of WhatsApp-based PF services and automatic settlement of small inoperative accounts, EPFO is taking another step towards a simpler, faster and more subscriber-friendly digital service system.