New Delhi: The Union government is working on a plan to allow Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) subscribers to withdraw their savings through UPI platforms and ATMs by March 2026.
The proposal, under consideration at the Labour Ministry, aims to simplify EPF withdrawals by integrating provident fund accounts with mainstream digital payment systems. The move is expected to reduce the time taken to access funds and limit reliance on the existing claim process, which often involves multiple forms and employer verification.
Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has indicated that the initiative builds on recent policy changes that allow eligible members to withdraw up to 75 per cent of their EPF balance. Despite these reforms, withdrawals continue to face delays due to procedural requirements and documentation checks.
Officials said the planned digital access would bring EPF services closer to routine banking transactions. Linking EPF accounts with UPI and ATM networks could help cut processing timelines and reduce claim rejections caused by technical or clerical errors.
The proposal follows reforms approved by the EPFO in October 2025 to streamline provident fund rules. These included consolidating 13 withdrawal categories into a simpler structure to improve clarity and compliance.
While details on implementation and safeguards are yet to be disclosed, the initiative reflects a broader push to modernise EPF operations and align them with India’s digital financial infrastructure.
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