The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has declared that no extensions will be granted for linking Aadhaar with Universal Account Number (UAN) after the deadline of 31 October 2025.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced that there will be no further extensions for the mandatory Aadhaar seeding with Universal Account Number (UAN) for filing the Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) beyond 31 October 2025. This decision follows a circular issued on 1 December 2025, stating that the deadline will remain strictly enforced, said a Mint report.
Background on the Requirement
The mandatory requirement for Aadhaar–UAN seeding was first introduced on 1 June 2021. This requirement is essential for members to manage their provident funds effectively, allowing for seamless online transfers of PF accounts when changing jobs. A UAN is a unique 12-digit identification number assigned to salaried individuals for this purpose.
Previous Extensions and Current Status
While the EPFO has previously granted extensions, including a recent one until 31 October 2025 for specific categories, such as individuals from the North East Region and certain industries like beedi-making and construction, the organisation has decided to enforce the deadline without further delay. The EPFO noted that ample opportunities have been provided over the past four years, resulting in a marginal backlog that continues to decline.
According to the EPFO’s circular, “Current pendency is marginal and continues to decline steadily. In view of the above, and to prevent further dependency on recurring extensions, it has been decided not to grant any further extension.” Employers are now required to ensure that their employees’ Aadhaar numbers are duly seeded and verified with their UAN.