Quick take: EPFO has moved new UAN generation and UAN activation to the UMANG app using Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology (FAT). EPFO's current member portal says the older direct UAN-allotment and activation options on the web portal have been discontinued for these services. Members are directed to UMANG, where the relevant “UAN Services Through Face Auth” options are available. (Unified Portal - EPF India)
For a new UAN, you'll generally need your Aadhaar number, Aadhaar-linked mobile number and the Aadhaar Face RD app for face authentication. (EPFO India)
This is about getting your UAN ready. It is not a Form 31 partial-withdrawal guide.
Why EPFO Uses UMANG + Face Authentication
EPFO introduced Aadhaar Face Authentication Technology to let employees generate or activate their UAN themselves instead of depending entirely on an employer or intermediary.
EPFO says the self-service process was introduced in 2025 and made mandatory for UAN generation through this route from 1 August 2025. (EPFO India)
The idea is simple:
Your Aadhaar → OTP verification → live face authentication → UAN
That reduces dependence on cybercafés and helps the member control the initial identity-verification process.
What You Need Before StartingKeep these ready:
- Aadhaar number
- Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
- Smartphone with camera
- UMANG app
- Aadhaar Face RD app
- Stable internet connection
EPFO's UAN service manual lists a valid Aadhaar, Aadhaar-linked mobile number and Aadhaar Face RD app as common requirements. (EPFO India)
One important check
If Aadhaar is already linked to an existing UAN, don't create another UAN.
EPFO's process checks whether the Aadhaar is already associated with a UAN and can stop the new-allotment process if one already exists. (EPFO India)
How to Generate a New UANIf you do not already have a UAN, use the UMANG route.
Step 1 — Open UMANG
Open the official UMANG app.
Go to:
EPFO Services → UAN Services Through Face Auth → UAN Allotment and Activation
EPFO's current member portal directs members to this exact UMANG workflow. (Unified Portal - EPF India)
Step 2 — Enter Aadhaar and mobile number
Enter:
- Aadhaar number
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number
Give the required consent for Aadhaar validation.
Step 3 — Verify OTP
An OTP is sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Enter the OTP when prompted.
Step 4 — Complete Face Authentication
UMANG will use the Aadhaar Face RD component to perform the live face authentication.
Follow the on-screen instructions and allow the required camera permission.
Step 5 — UAN generation
If the Aadhaar isn't already associated with a UAN and authentication succeeds, the system generates the UAN.
EPFO says the UAN is sent to the member by SMS, and the UAN card can be downloaded through UMANG or the member portal. The newly generated UAN is automatically activated. (EPFO India)
Already Have a UAN but It Isn't Activated?Don't generate another UAN.
EPFO now provides a separate UMANG option:
EPFO Services → UAN Services Through Face Auth → UAN Activation
The current EPFO member portal explicitly says activation of an existing UAN through the web portal has been discontinued and directs members to the UMANG Face Authentication route. (Unified Portal - EPF India)
The basic process is:
Existing UAN → Aadhaar details → OTP → Face Authentication → activation
After Activation: Don't Stop at the SMSGetting the activation confirmation doesn't mean every EPFO service is automatically ready.
Log in to the EPFO member portal and check your profile.
Verify:
- UAN
- Name
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Aadhaar status
- Mobile number
- Bank account
- KYC status
- Employer/member details
EPFO says UAN activation unlocks services including passbook viewing, KYC updates and claim submission. (EPFO India)
Remember
UAN activation ≠ claim approval.
A future PF claim can still depend on the required KYC, eligibility and claim-specific conditions.
Seed Your KYC CorrectlyOnce you're inside your account, pay attention to the KYC section.
The important items generally include:
- Aadhaar
- PAN, where applicable
- Bank account
- IFSC
- Other profile information required by EPFO
EPFO introduced changes in 2025 allowing members to seed Aadhaar for the first time or correct Aadhaar information through the Member Portal's Joint Declaration functionality in applicable cases. (EPFO India)
For bank details, EPFO also issued a 2025 circular removing the requirement for employer approval for seeding bank-account details with UAN. (EPFO India)
So don't assume:
"My UAN is active, therefore my KYC is perfect."
Check it.
What If Face Authentication Fails?EPFO's service manual identifies several possible failure points, including:
- Face-authentication failure
- Aadhaar-UAN mismatch
- EPFO validation failure
- Invalid UAN/Aadhaar details
The official manual recommends checking the information, retrying where appropriate and contacting support if the problem persists. (EPFO India)
Try these basics first
1. Check Aadhaar details
Make sure you're entering the correct Aadhaar number.
2. Check mobile number
The OTP route depends on access to the Aadhaar-linked mobile.
3. Install/update Aadhaar Face RD
The face-authentication workflow requires the appropriate Face RD component. (EPFO India)
4. Use good lighting
Face authentication needs a clear live image.
5. Remove obstructions
Follow the application's instructions regarding glasses, face position and camera visibility.
6. Retry later if the service is temporarily unavailable
Don't repeatedly create new UAN requests.
What If Aadhaar Is Already Linked to Another UAN?This is one of the most important warnings.
If you already had an EPF account from an earlier employer, you may already have a UAN.
Changing jobs doesn't normally mean you should create a brand-new UAN.
If UMANG tells you that your Aadhaar is already linked to a UAN:
Stop the new-UAN process.
Use the existing UAN.
EPFO's UAN-generation workflow specifically checks for an existing Aadhaar-UAN association. (EPFO India)
Already-Activated UAN: Face Authentication Can Still AppearThere is a separate service in the EPFO/UMANG workflow called:
Face Authentication of Already Activated UANs
EPFO's manual describes this as a way to use Aadhaar face authentication to update/verify EPFO records for an already activated UAN. (EPFO India)
So if you see a face-authentication option even though your UAN is already active, read the purpose of the specific UMANG service.
Don't interpret every face-authentication screen as an instruction to create another UAN.
Employer vs Employee: Who Does What?Your employer may need your UAN for EPFO onboarding.
But the identity-verification process is increasingly designed around the employee's own UMANG/Aadhaar authentication.
EPFO says employees can generate their UAN themselves and provide the resulting e-UAN card/UAN to the employer when joining employment. (EPFO India)
Practical rule
HR can tell you:
"Please provide your UAN."
You should not hand over control of your Aadhaar OTP or face-authentication process to someone else.
If HR offers to complete the Aadhaar authentication on its own device, you can simply say:
"I'll complete the UAN activation myself and share the UAN with HR."Lost Your UAN?
Don't create another one simply because you can't find the old number.
The EPFO member portal currently provides a Know Your UAN service, and the UMANG ecosystem also supports UAN-related services. (Unified Portal - EPF India)
Use the official EPFO/UMANG route to retrieve the existing UAN.
Then activate that UAN if necessary.
A Simple UAN Troubleshooting TableProblemWhat to doDon't have a UANUse UAN Allotment and Activation in UMANGHave UAN but inactiveUse UAN Activation in UMANGAadhaar already linked to UANDon't create another UANFace authentication failsCheck Face RD, lighting, camera and retryAadhaar/UAN mismatchCheck the underlying details and follow EPFO correction processCan't find old UANUse Know Your UANUAN active but KYC incompleteLog in and check/update KYCClaim later failsCheck claim-specific eligibility and KYC rather than redoing UAN activationThe Cyber-Safety Part MattersEPFO itself warns members to be vigilant about credential theft and says it does not ask members for Aadhaar, PAN or bank details over phone calls, nor does it ask members to make monetary deposits. (Unified Portal - EPF India)
Never give a caller:
- Aadhaar OTP
- UAN password
- Bank OTP
- UPI PIN
- ATM PIN
- Card CVV
- Net-banking password
And don't install a remote-access app because someone claims to be from EPFO.
The safest rule
Open UMANG yourself.
Open the EPFO portal yourself.
Use only official support channels.
What Happens After UAN Activation?Think of the process as four separate stages:
Stage 1 — Identity
Aadhaar + OTP + Face Authentication
↓
Stage 2 — UAN
UAN generated or activated
↓
Stage 3 — KYC
Aadhaar + bank + other applicable KYC
↓
Stage 4 — EPFO services
Passbook → contributions → claims → other member services
Don't jump from Stage 1 straight to:
"Why can't I withdraw my PF?"
First make sure the underlying account is properly set up.
A 15-Minute New-Employee ChecklistIf you've just joined a company:
Before leaving the HR desk
☐ Ask whether you already have a UAN
☐ Don't create a second UAN
☐ If new, generate it through UMANG
☐ Complete Aadhaar face authentication
☐ Save the UAN
☐ Download/save the e-UAN card
Later that day
☐ Log into the EPFO member portal
☐ Confirm your name and basic details
☐ Check Aadhaar status
☐ Check bank KYC
☐ Set a strong password
☐ Check whether the employer contribution record appears when applicable
Keep safely
UAN + registered mobile + EPFO login credentials
Do not store the password in an unsecured WhatsApp chat.
Official EPFO RouteFor current UAN services, start with:
The current portal itself directs members to UMANG for new UAN generation and existing-UAN activation through Aadhaar Face Authentication and lists 14470 as the EPFO helpdesk. (Unified Portal - EPF India)
For the official instructions, EPFO's published manual covers:
EPFO UAN/UMANG Face Authentication Manual
How NetaSampark Helps
Your PF account is managed through a central system, but the practical problems often start with something simple: wrong details, an inactive UAN, incomplete KYC or someone offering to "help" for a fee.
The safest sequence is:
UMANG → Aadhaar verification → Face Authentication → UAN → KYC → EPFO services
Do the identity step yourself, keep control of your OTPs, and don't create a second UAN just because the first one is difficult to access.
Be Informed. Be Heard.
Checked against current EPFO member-portal notices and EPFO's published 2025–26 UAN/UMANG Face Authentication instructions. UMANG screen names can change as the app is updated; follow the current official on-screen instructions if they differ.