The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced WhatsApp-based services that allow subscribers to check their provident fund (PF) balance and access their passbook without needing to visit an EPFO office. This new initiative was launched by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday, during the organisation’s 74th Foundation Day celebrations.

Through this verified WhatsApp service, users can conveniently check their PF balance, view their latest five transactions, and access their passbook details. The service aims to provide personalised guidance and assistance for employees fulfilling requirements related to the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).

This move is designed to enhance accessibility for millions of users who already utilise WhatsApp, thereby reducing the necessity for physical visits to EPFO offices. Subscribers can initiate the service by using EPFO’s verified WhatsApp number or by scanning a QR code provided by the organisation.

Enhanced User Experience and Functionality

In a post on X, EPFO confirmed the launch of the new service, stating that subscribers can easily check their PF balance, view their last five transactions, and access their passbook by sending a simple WhatsApp message. This initiative is expected to streamline the process for employees, allowing them to monitor their provident fund savings without logging into multiple platforms or visiting an EPFO office for routine inquiries.

In addition to account-related services, the WhatsApp platform will also provide subscribers with personalised assistance regarding the PMVBRY scheme. This enhancement is part of EPFO’s ongoing efforts to modernise its services and improve user experience.

The introduction of WhatsApp services aligns with the organisation’s goal of making essential information more readily available, thus facilitating better financial management for subscribers. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce the workload on EPFO offices, allowing them to focus on more complex inquiries and services.

Automatic Settlement for Inactive Accounts

Alongside the WhatsApp services, Mandaviya also announced an automatic settlement facility for certain inoperative EPF accounts. Under this new arrangement, subscribers with Aadhaar-verified inoperative accounts that hold balances of up to Rs 1,000 will no longer need to file individual claims to receive their funds.

EPFO will automatically initiate the settlement process after verifying the necessary identity and bank account details. Approximately one lakh accounts, involving nearly Rs 5 crore, are expected to benefit from this new facility. This initiative aims to assist eligible account holders in receiving their pending provident fund dues without the cumbersome process of filing individual claims.

This automatic settlement feature is a significant step towards simplifying the claims process and ensuring that subscribers can access their funds with minimal hassle. The initiative reflects EPFO’s commitment to improving the efficiency of its services and enhancing user satisfaction.

Improvements in Claims Settlement Time

The foundation day celebrations also highlighted EPFO’s technological advancements, particularly through its CITES 2.01 platform. EPFO reported that the average claim settlement time has significantly decreased to 2.57 days as of October 2026. This improvement underscores the organisation’s efforts to expedite access to provident fund savings for its subscribers.

With the introduction of WhatsApp services and the automatic settlement of eligible inactive accounts, EPFO aims to simplify routine processes and enhance the accessibility of its services for members. These developments are expected to contribute to a more efficient and user-friendly experience for all subscribers.

Overall, these initiatives reflect EPFO’s ongoing commitment to leveraging technology to improve service delivery and ensure that subscribers can manage their provident fund accounts with greater ease and convenience.

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