Good News For EPFO Subscribers: Deadline For UAN Activation & Aadhaar Linking Extended To Jan 15

New Delhi: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the deadline for employees to activate their Universal Account Number (UAN) and link their Aadhaar with their bank accounts. The new deadline is now January 15, 2024, allowing more time for employees to complete the process to claim benefits under the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme. Previous DeadlineInitially, the deadline was set for November 30, 2024, before being extended to December 15, 2024. With the latest extension, employees have another month to comply with these requirements. The UAN activation and Aadhaar-bank account linking are mandatory steps to access monetary benefits under the ELI scheme, which operates via direct benefit transfers (DBT). Sub-SchemesThe ELI scheme, announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Union Budget 2024 in July, aims to provide financial support to employees and promote job creation. It includes three sub-schemes: Scheme A, targeting first-time employees joining the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). Scheme B, focusing on job creation in manufacturing sectors. Scheme C, providing support to employers. What EPFO Said In A Circular?In a circular dated December 20, 2024, EPFO stated, “The deadline for UAN activation and Aadhaar seeding in bank accounts of employees has been extended from December 15, 2024, to January 15, 2024.” The Ministry of Labour and Employment emphasized that Aadhaar linking is essential for DBT. It urged employers to ensure that all new employees, particularly those who joined in the current financial year, complete UAN activation and Aadhaar seeding promptly. Benefits Of Linking UAN To Aadhaar CardFor employees, having an activated UAN linked to Aadhaar provides access to several EPFO services through a single portal. These include viewing and downloading provident fund passbooks, making online claims for withdrawals or transfers, updating personal details, and tracking claims in real time. The activation process can be completed using an Aadhaar-based OTP. Benefits Of ELI SchemeThe ELI scheme offers significant monetary benefits, although the specific amounts vary depending on the sub-scheme. While Scheme A supports new EPF members, Scheme B encourages employment in manufacturing, and Scheme C helps employers create more job opportunities. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Personal Finance, Business Economy and around the world.