EPFO to automatically settle eligible inoperative accounts with balances up to Rs 1,000
Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the initiatives on Sunday at the 74th Foundation Day celebrations of EPFO at Dr Ambedkar International Centre here.
Under the automatic settlement facility, subscribers with Aadhaar-verified inoperative accounts will not have to submit individual claims.
The settlement will be initiated after prescribed identity and bank account verification.
Around one lakh accounts involving nearly Rs 5 crore are expected to benefit.
The WhatsApp service will enable EPF members to access their PF balance, latest five transactions and passbook details through EPFO’s verified WhatsApp channel. It will also provide personalised guidance and assistance relating to the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
Addressing the gathering, Mandaviya said EPFO had emerged as a trusted social security institution over its 74-year journey, serving more than eight crore members and managing a corpus of around Rs 32 lakh crore.
Stressing the need for worker-centric services, he called upon officials to address members’ grievances with compassion and ensure that technological improvements reached beneficiaries at the last mile.
He urged the organisation to focus on innovations as it prepares to enter its 75th year.
Labour Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar said EPFO had played a significant role in strengthening India’s social security framework and stressed the need to extend social protection to workers in the unorganised sector.
He called for continuous reforms to improve accessibility and ease of living for beneficiaries.
Central Provident Fund Commissioner Ramesh Krishnamurthi said EPFO served around eight crore contributing members and 85 lakh pensioners, safeguarding a retirement corpus of nearly Rs 32 lakh crore.
He said the organisation’s success should be measured by the confidence and security it provided to members and pensioners.
The organisation also highlighted improvements in claim settlement through its CITES 2.01 technology platform, with the average settlement time declining to 2.57 days in October 2026.
Seven publications covering EPFO’s state-wise profile, judicial decisions, institutional governance, social security research and employee contributions were released at the function.
The Bhavishya Nidhi Awards 2026 were presented to Regional and Zonal Offices and employees for their performance in grievance redressal, pension services, death claim settlement, PMVBRY implementation, technological innovation and other areas.
The celebrations were presided over by Mandaviya, who is also Chairman of the Central Board of Trustees.
Labour Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Central Provident Fund Commissioner Ramesh Krishnamurthi, members of the Central Board of Trustees, workers, employers and other stakeholders attended.
TNT KM
