EPFO: From withdrawals to transfers and claims, these EPFO rules have changed so far in 2025..
In India, the Provident Fund (PF) is considered a reliable and secure way for salaried employees to save. In 2025, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) implemented several changes that have made withdrawing, transferring, and settling PF claims much easier. These new rules will directly impact millions of employees. With EPFO 3.0, digital services have also been significantly upgraded, leading to reduced waiting times and faster processing.
Simplified Withdrawal Rules
Previously, there were 13 different categories for PF advance withdrawals, which often confused members and led to claim rejections. Now, EPFO has reduced these to just three categories: essential needs (including illness, education, and marriage), housing-related needs, and special circumstances, where members no longer need to provide a specific reason.
The biggest relief is that members can now withdraw 100% of their PF balance, including both employee and employer contributions. Withdrawals for education are permitted up to 10 times, and for marriage up to 5 times. A minimum of 12 months of service is now required for any partial withdrawal, making the process much clearer and simpler.
Automatic PF Transfer Upon Changing Jobs
Previously, transferring PF upon changing jobs required filling out Form 13, and sometimes the previous employer would delay the approval. Now, this entire process is completely automated. As soon as an employee joins a new job and the employer updates the joining date, the PF will automatically be transferred to the new account. This is possible thanks to the Universal Account Number (UAN). If the UAN is active, KYC is complete, and the bank account is linked, there will be no further obstacles to the transfer.
EPFO 3.0: A New Era of Digital Services
From 2025, EPFO has started implementing its new digital platform, EPFO 3.0. Several changes have been introduced, including an improved online portal, a new mobile interface, and faster and more secure claim processing. The online correction system will now include OTP verification, allowing members to correct their name, date of birth, and other information themselves. Additionally, the facility to withdraw PF money through both ATMs and UPI will soon be introduced, which is considered a major step.
Easier Final PF Settlement
Previously, even a minor discrepancy or a missing contribution for a single month could lead to the rejection of the entire claim. Now, EPFO has introduced a part-payment system. This means that payment will be released immediately for the correct portions of the record, and the remaining amount will be disbursed later without requiring a new application.
Auto-Claim Limit Increased from 1 Lakh to 5 Lakh
The auto-settlement limit for PF advances has been increased to ₹5 lakh. Claims within this limit will be settled within 72 hours without any manual verification. This is considered a significant relief for millions of employees.
More New Changes for Members
The EPFO passbook has been made lighter and easier to understand. All services will be available in one place through a single login portal. Access to the Annexure K certificate has also been simplified. Furthermore, the Employees Enrolment Campaign 2025 has been launched to include employees who were left out between 2017 and 2025 into the PF scheme.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
