How to Check Your EPF Balance: UAN, EPFO Portal, UMANG App, SMS and Missed Call, Plus Passbook Tips
Step-by-step ways to check your EPF balance in India: EPFO member passbook, UMANG app, SMS and missed call, UAN activation, KYC linking, common problems and how to transfer or withdraw.
Your Employees' Provident Fund is often the largest retirement asset you have, yet many people have no idea what their balance is or whether their employer is depositing on time. Checking it takes only minutes once you have activated your Universal Account Number (UAN). This guide shows each method and how to fix the most common problems.
Fees, forms and procedures change often. Treat the figures here as indicative and confirm them on the official government or bank website before you act.
What you need first
- UAN: a 12-digit number issued once and kept for life, regardless of how many employers you have. Your employer provides it, or you can find it on a payslip.
- Activated UAN: activate it on the EPFO Member portal with your UAN, Aadhaar-linked or registered mobile number and an OTP.
- KYC: link Aadhaar, PAN and bank account to the UAN. Many services need this.
Method 1: EPFO member passbook portal
- Go to the official EPFO Member Passbook portal and log in with your UAN, password and captcha.
- Select your member ID, which is linked to each employer.
- View or download the passbook showing employee and employer contributions, pension share and interest.
The passbook updates after your employer files the monthly return, so the latest month may take time to appear.
Method 2: UMANG app
Download the government's UMANG app, choose EPFO, and select "Employee Centric Services", then "View Passbook". Login with your UAN and OTP. It also allows claims and tracking.
Method 3: SMS or missed call
- A missed call from your registered mobile number to the EPFO's published number sends you balance details by SMS.
- An SMS in the format given by EPFO, with your UAN and language, returns a response.
These services need your UAN to be activated and linked to KYC. EPFO changes numbers and procedures, so use only the contact details on its official website, not those from search results or social media, which scammers abuse.
Understanding the passbook
| Entry | What it means |
|---|---|
| Employee share | 12% of basic pay plus dearness allowance, all of which goes into your EPF account |
| Employer share | 12% of basic, of which part (limited by wage ceiling) goes to the Employees' Pension Scheme, and the rest to EPF |
| Interest | Declared yearly by EPFO, credited annually, and tax-free within limits for contributions |
| EPS balance | Not withdrawable as cash in the same way. It qualifies you for a pension after 10 years of service and age 58 |
Example: with a basic pay of ₹30,000, your contribution is ₹3,600 a month. Over 20 years with an assumed average return of 8%, regular contributions of this size would grow to around ₹2,134,610 from your side alone. Test other figures in the EPF calculator.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Cannot log in | Reset the password, or check that your mobile is registered and UAN is activated |
| Employer contributions missing | Compare payslips with the passbook, ask HR or the employer to file returns, and raise a grievance on the EPFO portal if unresolved |
| Two UANs | Do not use two. Ask EPFO to merge them using the transfer or one member, one account facility |
| Old employer account not showing | Link previous member IDs under the same UAN, and file a transfer claim |
| Name or date of birth mismatch | Correct it with a joint declaration request through the portal |
Transfer, don't withdraw
When you change jobs, transfer your old PF account to the new employer instead of withdrawing it. Withdrawals break compounding and, if made before five years of continuous service, may attract tax. Online transfer claims are filed on the member portal with Aadhaar-based verification. Withdrawal rules and partial advances for medical, education, marriage and house purchase change from time to time, so check the current guidelines before applying. For a comparison with other retirement products, see PPF vs EPF vs NPS.
Nomination
Add a nominee through e-nomination on the portal, so that your family can claim the balance. Update it after marriage or the birth of a child.
Staying safe
- Never share OTPs or your UAN password.
- EPFO does not ask for money to process claims, and will not call asking for your bank PIN.
- Be careful with agents charging a fee for "faster" claims. See scam awareness.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UAN?
A 12-digit Universal Account Number given to each EPF member, which stays the same across jobs.
How can I check my PF balance by missed call?
Give a missed call from your registered mobile number to the EPFO number listed on its official website.
Why is my employer contribution not showing?
The employer may have filed late. Compare payslips and raise a grievance if it stays missing.
Should I withdraw my PF when I change jobs?
Preferably transfer it to keep compounding.
Is EPF interest taxable?
Generally tax-free within limits on contributions, but check current rules.
Where can I see the passbook?
On the EPFO Member Passbook portal or the UMANG app.
Last reviewed 8 November 2026. Rates, limits and rules change, so confirm figures with the official source before you act.
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Information on AMTools is for general guidance and is not professional financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Rules, rates and limits change, so check the latest official source before acting.