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EPFO Pilots UPI Withdrawals App, Targets April 2026 Launch

The overhaul aims to pair UPI‑PIN‑authorised access to a defined share of savings with safeguards that keep the remainder locked for retirement.

Overview

  • EPFO is developing a dedicated mobile app to let members transfer an eligible portion of EPF balances directly to their bank accounts via UPI, with a rollout targeted for April 2026.
  • Pilot testing on about 100 dummy accounts is underway to resolve technical issues before a public launch, according to sources cited in multiple reports.
  • The app will show the withdrawable balance and complete transfers to seeded bank accounts using a member’s linked UPI ID and PIN to authorise transactions.
  • A structured model is proposed in which part of each account remains frozen to protect long‑term savings, while the remaining share can be accessed quickly through UPI.
  • Existing channels such as the UAN portal and UMANG will continue, and EPFO says the move is intended to cut the heavy claim load—over five crore annually—building on an auto‑settlement system now capped at Rs 5 lakh per claim.