The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) introduced major reforms in 2025 to facilitate members in withdrawing their PFs for pressing needs like marriage, education, and medical circumstances. Presently with over 320 million accounts, better processes and digital systems by the EPFO allow faster Making-withdrawals-without-document clause, thus reducing claim-processing time to three days. In this article, we look at the new rules, criteria that allow withdrawal, and the process of applying.
Manual Flexibility
The EPFO permits partial withdrawals from PF for crucial life events with fewer document requirements, provided that KYC details (Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details) have been linked to the UAN. Eligible withdrawals are listed below:
- Marriage: Withdraw 50% of your contribution (plus interest) for your own, your child’s, or a sibling’s marriage provided that the withdrawal is after 7 years membership, and there is at least ₹1000 balance in the PF Account. Withdrawals can be made thrice.
- Education: Withdrawal of 50% for their kids’ higher education after Class 10, with at least 7 years’ membership.
- Medical Emergencies: Withdrawal of up to six months’ basic salary plus DA or accumulated contribution, whichever is lower, for treatment of self or dependents; no service duration is specified. An amount up to ₹1 lakh can be auto-approved without requiring hospital estimates.
Enhanced Digital Infrastructure
Through data conversions and linkage of over 120 databases, the EPFO has revolutionized the entire processing of claims with nearly 95% being disposed of automatically. The auto-settlement for advances has now been enhanced to a level of ₹5 lakhs from the erstwhile ₹1 lakh for quick disbursal of funds to members, who can also apply online through the EPFO Unified Member Portal with Form 31 (Composite Claim Form). It does not require any employer attestation if all KYC requirements are fulfilled. Funds get credited into the members’ bank accounts within 3 to 7 working days.
How To Apply
Withdrawals through online mode:
- Log in at epfindia.gov.in using your UAN and password.
- Navigate to “Online Services” and then select “Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C).”
- Verify bank details, select the withdrawal type as partial, and submit without uploading documents for eligible claims.
- Track status by SMS or via the portal. Offline applications require submitting Form 31 at the EPFO office with nominal documentation.
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