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EPFO puts PF balance and passbook on WhatsApp and starts settling small dormant accounts on its own
Launched on EPFO's 74th Foundation Day, the WhatsApp channel shows balances and the last five transactions, while Aadhaar-verified inoperative accounts holding up to Rs 1,000 will be paid out without a claim.
Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on November 1 launched EPFO services through WhatsApp at the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's 74th Foundation Day in New Delhi, according to a Press Information Bureau release. Subscribers can use EPFO's verified WhatsApp service to see their PF balance, their latest five transactions and passbook information, and get personalised help with requirements under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY). The ministry said the aim is to make routine services available on a familiar mobile platform and cut the need to visit EPFO offices.
BusinessLine reported that EPFO has been carrying out data transformation and other backend upgrades since mid September to prepare the WhatsApp channel. Mint noted that the launch announcement did not give the official WhatsApp number or an activation process, and advised members to rely only on contact details published on EPFO's website and never to share their UAN password, OTP, Aadhaar or bank details with unverified numbers.
The second launch is automatic settlement of eligible inoperative EPF accounts. Members whose dormant accounts are Aadhaar verified and hold up to Rs 1,000 will no longer have to file individual claims. EPFO will start the settlement itself after the prescribed identity and bank account checks. About one lakh accounts holding around Rs 5 crore are expected to benefit, the ministry said.
The PIB release also highlighted results from EPFO's CITES 2.01 technology upgrade, saying the average claim settlement time fell to 2.57 days in October 2026. Mandaviya said EPFO's corpus stands at Rs 32 lakh crore, built from contributions by more than 8 crore members, PTI reported in The Economic Times. Seven publications were released at the event.
For India's digital public services, the move puts one of the country's largest social security bodies on the same messaging channel that many citizens already use for banking alerts and government notices, and it uses Aadhaar verification to clear small balances that members rarely chase. The scam risk Mint flagged is the obvious one to watch as members start looking for the new service.
