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🇮🇳 Trending in India · 2 November 2026

What is EPFO? Its new WhatsApp service and ₹1,000 PF settlement

On 1 November 2026, during EPFO's 74th Foundation Day event, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched WhatsApp-based services and an automatic settlement facility for small inactive PF accounts. People are searching to understand what changed for PF account holders.
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What is EPFO?

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation is a government body under the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment. It manages provident fund savings for salaried workers, so every month a part of their salary goes into a retirement account. The organisation has existed since 1952, which is why its 74th Foundation Day fell in 2026.

The EPF scheme in brief

The Employees' Provident Fund scheme began through an ordinance in 1951, and Parliament later turned it into the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Under this scheme, the employee and the employer each contribute a share of the basic pay every month. The money earns interest and is paid out mainly at retirement.

What was launched on 1 November 2026

At the Foundation Day event, the minister introduced EPFO services on WhatsApp through which members can check their PF balance, their latest five transactions and their passbook. The same event launched automatic settlement for eligible inoperative accounts with balances up to ₹1,000. Accounts with Aadhaar-verified identities are covered, and EPFO still completes identity and bank checks before paying out.

What is an inoperative account?

EPFO's help desk explains that if a member leaves a job and does not apply for withdrawal or transfer within 36 months, the money moves to an 'inoperative account' and stops earning interest. Small balances left in such accounts are the group the new automatic settlement targets. Members who want to check their own account should keep their UAN and bank details updated and apply before the 36-month limit where possible.

Quick points

  1. EPFO manages workers' retirement savings

    The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation is a government body under the Labour Ministry that looks after provident fund accounts of salaried employees.

  2. EPF is a monthly retirement savings scheme

    Employee and employer each contribute a share of basic pay every month, and the accumulated amount with interest is mainly paid at retirement.

  3. PF details now on WhatsApp

    Launched on 1 November 2026, the EPFO WhatsApp service lets members check their PF balance, latest five transactions and passbook.

  4. Automatic settlement up to ₹1,000

    Eligible inoperative accounts with balances up to ₹1,000 will be settled automatically for Aadhaar-verified members, after identity and bank checks.

  5. Why the 36-month rule matters

    If a member does not apply for withdrawal or transfer within 36 months after leaving a job, the account becomes inoperative and stops earning interest.

Quick quiz

1. What is the upper balance limit for the new automatic settlement of inoperative EPF accounts?

2. Which Union Ministry manages the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation?

3. According to EPFO's help desk, after how many months from becoming payable does an unclaimed amount move to an inoperative account?

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