Complete step-by-step guide for freshers joining after August 1, 2025
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has revolutionized the UAN (Universal Account Number) generation process with a groundbreaking update effective from August 1, 2025. This digital transformation allows freshers and new employees to generate their UAN independently using advanced face authentication technology. Here's everything you need to know about this game-changing update.
Starting August 1, 2025, EPFO has introduced mandatory Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology (FAT) for UAN generation through the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app. This means new employees joining companies after this date can generate their UAN without any employer intervention.
This mandate isn't just a UMANG feature update, it's tied to enforcement. EPFO is actively pushing Aadhaar-based Face Authentication as a requirement for employees to access benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY). If your UAN isn't generated and activated through this process, you risk delays in accessing scheme benefits, not just standard EPF services. If you haven't completed this yet, it's worth doing sooner rather than later.
Before starting the process, ensure you have:
If you already have a UAN but need to activate it, follow these steps:
Don't have your UAN handy? See our guide on how to find your UAN using three different methods before starting activation.
| Generate New UAN | Activate Existing UAN | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | First-time employees with no UAN yet | Employees who already have a UAN but never activated it |
| What you need | Aadhaar number, linked mobile number | UAN, Aadhaar number, linked mobile number |
| UMANG path | EPFO Services → UAN Allotment and Activation | EPFO Services → UAN Activation |
| End result | New UAN generated and activated instantly | Existing UAN activated, temporary password sent via SMS |
Employers can still generate UANs directly for:
Everyone else joining after August 1, 2025 goes through self-generation.
Note: This guide was written before EPFO's June-July 2026 portal migration. The UMANG steps above remain accurate, but if you notice a different screen layout, check our EPFO 3.0 portal update for what's changed.
This digital transformation represents EPFO's commitment to providing citizen-centric services. The organization continues to leverage technology to make EPF services more accessible, secure, and efficient. Future developments may include:
The new EPFO UAN self-generation process marks a significant milestone in India's digital governance journey. By empowering employees to generate their UAN independently, EPFO has eliminated traditional barriers and created a more efficient, secure, and user-friendly system.
This transformation benefits all stakeholders - employees enjoy instant, secure UAN generation; employers experience reduced administrative burden; and EPFO achieves better service delivery. The face authentication technology ensures maximum security while the digital process promotes transparency and efficiency.
For freshers entering the workforce after August 1, 2025, this new system offers an excellent opportunity to take control of their EPF journey right from day one. The process is simple, secure, and available 24/7, making it convenient for everyone.
Ready to generate your UAN? Download the UMANG app today. Once your UAN is active, check your PF withdrawal eligibility or reset your UAN password if you already have an account.
Stuck generating your UAN, or getting a face authentication failure you can't resolve?Talk to a FinRight PF expert for free, step-by-step help. FinRight is a private EPF assistance platform and is not affiliated with EPFO or the Government of India.
"},"category":"PF Expert Consultation","author":"Finright","is_published":true,"is_draft":false,"published_at":"2026-02-16T14:01:56.486Z","is_deleted":false,"summary_id":{"_id":"699323546bd959d84ebbf268","summary":"No. Your mobile number must be linked to Aadhaar for face authentication to work. Link it at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra first, then retry.
","_id":"699323546bd959d84ebbf264"},{"question":"What happens if face authentication fails? ","answer":"You can retry. Most failures are due to poor lighting, incorrect face positioning, or a mismatch between your Aadhaar and EPFO records. If retries keep failing, check that your Aadhaar and EPFO details match exactly.
","_id":"699323546bd959d84ebbf265"},{"question":"Is there any fee for UAN generation?","answer":"No, UAN generation through UMANG app is completely free of charge.
","_id":"699323546bd959d84ebbf266"},{"question":"How long does the whole process take?","answer":"Typically 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your internet connection and verification speed.
","_id":"6a62747dd28e7d83a1724b05"},{"question":"What if I don't have my UAN number to activate it?","answer":"Use our guide on how to find your UAN, which covers three working methods, before starting activation.
","_id":"6a62747dd28e7d83a1724b06"},{"question":"Can international workers use self-generation?","answer":"No. Employers can still generate UANs directly for international workers, and for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan.
","_id":"6a62747dd28e7d83a1724b07"}],"is_deleted":false},"createdAt":"2026-02-16T14:01:56.486Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-23T20:44:23.634Z","__v":0,"slug":"epfo-latest-update-2025-generate-uan-online-with-aadhaar-face-authentication","author_id":{"_id":"6a54c5c14f0272ba4dfa4c28","name":"Shumayl Shaik","profilePicture":"https://finright-cms-media.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/92a30742-26b4-4a54-b440-0debb29ab4d8.webp","about":"EPF Case Specialist | ECR Corrections & Offline PF Cases\n\nShuymal has successfully resolved 900+ EPF cases since November 2024, with a primary focus on ECR corrections and PF transfer cases. He specializes in coordinating with employers, preparing accurate documentation, and ensuring correction requests are submitted correctly to avoid unnecessary delays.\n\nHis expertise also includes handling offline EPF cases that require manual documentation, employer coordination, and continuous follow-up with the EPFO when issues cannot be resolved through the online portal.","id":"6a54c5c14f0272ba4dfa4c28"},"expert_id":{"_id":"6a3f6673d3d5b776bee49afe","name":"Ketan Das","profilePicture":"https://finright-cms-media.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/3980c03e-3139-4f2e-b902-d2195b438bfe.webp","designation":"Business Head at Finright Technologies","about":"Leading business strategy and growth initiatives while driving customer-centric financial solutions. He is passionate about simplifying personal finance and helping individuals make informed decisions through practical, research-backed financial insights.","id":"6a3f6673d3d5b776bee49afe"},"expert_quote":"","expert_quote_attribution":"","id":"699323546bd959d84ebbf26a","totalLikes":0,"totalViews":901,"totalShares":0,"ctas":{"checkmypf-1":{"_id":"69e364082c6fa767919261a7","unique_key":"checkmypf-1","button_text":"Check YOUR PF Now!","description":"Unsure about your PF balance? Use FinRight's CheckMyPF tool to analyze your EPF records for potential discrepancies or missed transfers.","heading":"Check My PF – Get Your Detailed Report!","navigation_url":"https://finright.in/check-pf-withdrawability"},"bookexpertcall_1":{"_id":"69e3643e2c6fa767919261a8","unique_key":"bookexpertcall_1","button_text":"Book a Call","description":"Book a consultation call with our EPF experts to get personalized assistance for withdrawal or transfer of your Provident Fund.","heading":"Need Help with PF Withdrawal or Transfer?","navigation_url":"https://finright.in/"},"transfer-1":{"_id":"69e364862c6fa767919261a9","unique_key":"transfer-1","button_text":"Start Your Transfer Journey!","description":"Let us assist you with the smooth transfer of your Provident Fund balance from previous employers. Ensure your funds are consolidated.","heading":"Transfer Your PF Without Hassles","navigation_url":"https://finright.in/"},"withdrawal-1":{"_id":"69e364b82c6fa767919261aa","unique_key":"withdrawal-1","button_text":"Start Your PF Withdrawal Journey!","description":"If you're ready to withdraw your PF, let us guide you through the process, ensuring all documents and conditions are met.","heading":"Simplified PF Withdrawal Process","navigation_url":"https://finright.in/"}}},"nextBlog":{"_id":"699325276bd959d84ebbf283","title":"EPFO Pension Payout Now Allowed for Under-6-Month Service","primary_image_url":"https://finright-cms-media.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/f76c1f3b-5668-498f-a663-b6edbbceae6a.webp","id":"699325276bd959d84ebbf283"},"previousBlog":{"_id":"6993223e6bd959d84ebbf252","title":"How to Activate Your UAN for Easy PF Withdrawal","primary_image_url":"https://finright-cms-media.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/ae21156f-b19f-4060-b2e8-dccf8d759a23.webp","id":"6993223e6bd959d84ebbf252"}}