- By Prateek Levi
- Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation is preparing a major shift in how subscribers access their provident fund money. EPF withdrawals through ATMs and UPI are set to be introduced before March 2026, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed in an interview with ABP News.
According to the Minister, EPF subscribers will soon be able to withdraw their money instantly without navigating lengthy paperwork or approval processes. The move is aimed at making provident fund access as seamless as everyday digital payments.
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“You can still withdraw your 75% EPF immediately. I am telling you in advance that before March 2026, the Ministry is introducing a feature where a subscriber can withdraw their EPF through an ATM. The Ministry will also link EPF withdrawals with UPI,” Mandaviya said during the interview.
Why EPF Withdrawals Are Changing
Mandaviya pointed out that although the money in an EPF account belongs entirely to the subscriber, the existing withdrawal system often turns into a hassle. Members currently have to apply through multiple forms depending on the reason for withdrawal, which can delay approvals or lead to claim rejections.
The Ministry, he said, is working to make these transactions seamless and remove these roadblocks and make EPF withdrawals faster, simpler, and more accessible, especially during emergencies.
Recent Reforms in EPFO Regarding Withdrawal Procedures
Back in October 2025, the EPFO had approved reforms to make the withdrawal process easier. The reason for the reforms, according to the officials, was that the withdrawal process had become complicated. There were various categories for withdrawal, and each one has eligibility requirements.
This was often accompanied by confusion, delays, and rejected claims. To resolve this issue, the Labour Ministry streamlined 13 different kinds of withdrawments into one simple system.
Larger Withdrawals under the new rules
Earlier, EPF contributors were only able to withdraw their contribution to the fund, together with interest earned. However, even in this case, only an amount between 50% to 100%, depending on the purpose, was allowed to be withdrawn.
Under the rule changes, the withdrawable amount now includes the contribution of the employer as well as the interest. This increases the amount the members are able to withdraw by a significant margin. As a result, the 75% EPF corpus that can now be withdrawn is substantially higher than what was allowed under the earlier framework.
Eligibility Rules Made Uniform
Another major change is the standardisation of eligibility criteria. Previously, the required service period for withdrawals varied by purpose and could stretch up to seven years, making the rules difficult to track.
The new framework introduces a uniform eligibility period of 12 months across all withdrawal categories. This means EPF members can now access a larger portion of their savings after completing just one year of service.
What Happens In Case Of Unemployment?
In the event of unemployment, EPF members can immediately withdraw 75% of their total PF balance. This amount includes the employee’s contribution, the employer’s contribution, and the interest earned.
The remaining 25% can be withdrawn after one year. A full withdrawal of the entire EPF balance is also allowed in specific cases such as retirement after the age of 55, permanent disability, inability to work, retrenchment, voluntary retirement, or permanent relocation outside India.
What This Means For EPF Subscribers
With ATM-based withdrawals and UPI integration on the way, EPFO is clearly moving toward real-time, digital-first access to provident fund savings. If implemented as planned, these changes could transform EPF from a long-term savings account into a far more flexible financial safety net for millions of employees.