In a remarkable feat for India’s workforce, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has processed 8.31 crore claims in FY 2025-26, eclipsing the prior year’s 6.01 crore figure. This surge reflects cutting-edge digital tools making PF services more user-friendly than ever.
Advance and partial withdrawals dominated at 5.51 crore claims, allowing employees seamless access to funds for emergencies. Automation prowess shone through, with 71.11% of these claims—up from 59.19% last year—cleared automatically in under three days, slashing paperwork and delays.
EPFO’s digital ecosystem flourished: 6.68 crore cheque-less claims, 1.59 crore self-linked bank accounts without employer nod, 70.55 lakh automatic transfers, 24.84 lakh member-initiated transfers, and 29.34 lakh self-corrected profiles. No office visits required.
April 2026 stood out with 61.03 lakh claims settled, 74% advances auto-approved, and 98.70% within 20 days. Complementing this, the CBT, under Mansukh Mandaviya’s leadership, fixed PF interest at 8.25% for the year, matching last year’s rate. Key attendees included Shobha Karandlaje, Vandana Gurnani, and Ramesh Krishnamurthy.
Post-Finance Ministry nod, this rate will credit over 7 crore accounts at FY-end. Monthly calculations apply, but 36-month inactive accounts lose eligibility. EPFO’s strides signal a future where social security is instant, inclusive, and tech-driven, reshaping retirement planning for millions.
