EPFO Mandates UMANG App for UAN Activation via Aadhaar Face Authentication

Imagine activating your Employee Provident Fund account with just a face scan—no passwords, no paperwork. Starting August 1, 2025, India’s retirement fund body has made this a reality. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) now requires all members to use the UMANG app for UAN generation and activation through Aadhaar-based facial recognition, replacing older verification methods. This digital shift aims to combat identity fraud while streamlining access for India’s 290 million EPF subscribers.

The New UMANG App Mandate Explained
According to EPFO Circular No. HRMS/2025/07 issued in July 2025, the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) platform is now the exclusive channel for UAN activation via face authentication. This aligns with India’s Digital India initiative and follows successful pilots in Maharashtra and Karnataka where fraud attempts dropped by 67% (EPFO Annual Report 2024). The move addresses critical security gaps—previously, UANs could be activated with just an Aadhaar number and OTP, enabling identity theft.

Face authentication adds biometric verification, cross-referencing live scans with Aadhaar records. Employees must now:

1. Download UMANG (Android/iOS)
2. Navigate to “EPFO Services” > “Activate UAN”
3. Complete liveness checks using their device camera
   The system verifies users within 45 seconds, as confirmed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) testing data from June 2025. Pensioners like 68-year-old Leela Sharma from Jaipur report seamless transitions: “I activated my UAN in minutes—no agent needed.”

Step-by-Step Activation Guide
Follow this verified process based on EPFO’s technical documentation:

1. Install & Register: Download UMANG, register with mobile/Aadhaar
2. Biometric Setup: Allow camera access; ensure even lighting
3. EPFO Services: Select “Activate UAN” under the Pension category
4. Authentication: Position face within the on-screen frame; blink when prompted
5. Confirmation: UAN activates instantly upon Aadhaar validation

Crucially, your mobile number must be linked to Aadhaar beforehand. Rural users without smartphones can visit 135,000 Common Service Centres nationwide for free assistance (Ministry of Electronics & IT, August 2025).

Why Face Authentication Matters
This overhaul tackles rampant EPF scams. In 2024 alone, ₹217 crore was lost to fraudulent withdrawals (EPFO Vigilance Report). Face authentication slashes this risk by binding UAN access to biometric identity. It also eliminates paperwork for migrant workers—previously, activating UANs required employer coordination or physical documents. IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar noted: “This is digital empowerment at scale, securing workers’ futures.”

Must Know

Q: What if face authentication fails repeatedly?
A: Visit epfindia.gov.in to file a grievance or call EPTOLL at 1800118005. Resolution typically takes 72 hours. Ensure your Aadhaar photo is updated—outdated images cause 80% of mismatches (UIDAI, 2025).

Q: Can I use my employer portal instead?
A: No. All new UAN activations now require UMANG face authentication. Existing users can still access services through the EPFO member portal.

Q: Is this mandatory for international workers?
A: Yes, but OCI/NRI cardholders must first update nationality status via the EPFO International Workers Unit.

Q: What about data privacy concerns?
A: Authentication occurs locally on your device. Data isn’t stored on UMANG servers, per NIC’s “zero-data-retention” protocol.

With 1.2 million UANs already activated via UMANG since August 1, this system transforms retirement security for India’s workforce. Face authentication isn’t just convenient—it shields lifelong savings from predators. Download UMANG today and secure your EPF in three clicks.