EPFO: What does EPFO's new circular say about updating EPF account details?

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued a new circular with intent to standardise the process of member profile updation through its new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). As per the circular issued on August 23, 2023, the SOP will aid in the processing of Joint Declarations for EPF members to update their details like name and date of birth, among others.

The new process has been adopted to enhance the updation process and also to provide more security in the wake of data mismatches.

EPF issues SOP for profile-related updation

As stated in the circular, the SOP for Joint Declaration has been initiated for the correction of members' data in EPFO's database for cases where there might be incomplete or mismatches on account of the long legacy of the paper process as well as the change of establishments by the member.

This has also resulted in a series of anomalies in profiles leading to rejections, failures and even frauds. Claim settlements have also faced difficulties due to reasons related to data mismatch in parameters of Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Father's Name/Mother's Name, Relationship status, Medical Status, Date of Joining, Reason of Leaving, Date of Leaving, Nationality and Aadhaar number.

EPF account details update and limits

Thus, EPF members can make changes to the profile in accordance with the aforementioned 11 parameters which have been classified as both minor and major changes.

EPFO has also set a limit on the number of times members can make corrections in the accounts for all the parameters. Following the request for updating, the process shall take T+7 days in case of minor requests and T+15 days in case of major requests. Members shall receive SMS and email updates at every stage of the process.

How to make updates to the EPF account?

1. Go to the Member Sewa portal and login with your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password.

2. Once logged in, select the 'Joint Declaration' tab and you will receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

3. Enter the OTP and the joint declaration form will appear on the screen.

4. Fill in with the required details, upload the necessary documents, and submit.

5. Once submitted, the employer will also need to verify it, following which it will be forwarded to the EPFO office for updation.

Besides the updation procedure, EPFO has listed the documents that will be required along with the application form. While the Aadhaar card is mandatory for updating name and gender, the death certificate is important in case the EPF member has died