EPF withdrawals set for ATM and UPI revolution | Fusion - WeRIndia

India’s social security framework is moving toward faster, simpler, and more accessible provident fund services for workers.

The Labour Ministry plans to introduce EPF withdrawals through ATM and UPI services by March 2026.

This major reform will directly benefit millions of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation subscribers nationwide.

Notably, the initiative aims to make EPF money as accessible as regular bank savings.

Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed the proposal during an interview. He stated that subscribers can already withdraw up to 75% of their EPF balance.

However, the upcoming system will allow instant access through ATMs and UPI platforms.

Currently, EPF withdrawals involve multiple forms and procedural steps. As a result, many subscribers face delays and unnecessary confusion.

Moreover, members often depend on employers or online portals to complete claims.

According to the Minister, EPF money belongs to the worker, not the system. Therefore, the withdrawal process should be smooth, fast, and user-friendly.

Keeping this in mind, the ministry designed the ATM and UPI-linked withdrawal model.

Additionally, linking EPF with the existing digital payment infrastructure will reduce paperwork significantly.

Subscribers will no longer wait weeks for claim settlements. Instead, they can access their savings using familiar banking channels.

Meanwhile, UPI integration will support instant fund transfers directly to linked bank accounts. This aligns EPF services with India’s growing digital payment ecosystem.

Consequently, time constraints and manual verification delays should be reduced sharply.

Furthermore, this move builds on EPFO reforms introduced in October 2025. Those reforms focused on transparency, faster processing, and fewer claim rejections.

Importantly, they addressed long-standing issues related to eligibility misunderstandings.

Earlier, EPF withdrawals were divided into 13 separate categories. Each category had different conditions, limits, and documentation requirements. As a result, many claims were rejected due to minor errors.

Now, the EPFO has merged these categories into a simplified structure. This change has already reduced confusion among members. Therefore, the upcoming ATM and UPI facility will become even more effective.

Overall, the reform reflects a shift toward member-centric governance. It treats EPF as accessible personal savings rather than locked-in funds.

Ultimately, the initiative promises convenience, speed, and dignity for India’s workforce.

Image Credit: Moulalisaheb.g, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EPFO,Kadapa.jpg