EPFO UAN generation: How to generate UAN via UMANG app using Aadhaar-Based Face Verification

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has mandated that Universal Account Number (UANs) be generated and activated only by Aadhaar-based facial identification through the UMANG App from August 1, 2025. Employees can now generate their UAN entirely online without the help of their employers.

UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) provides a single platform for all Indian Citizens to access pan India e-Gov services ranging from central to local government bodies. It has been developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National e-Governance Division (NeGD) to drive mobile governance in India.

The existing process of generation of UAN through the employer will continue in respect of exceptional cases like international workers and citizens of Nepal and Bhutan.

The 3 new facilities for EPF members have been introduced in the UMANG APP leveraging the Face Authentication Technology (FAT).
1. Direct UAN allotment and activation
2. UAN activation for existing UANs
3. Face authentication service for existing activated UANs

For users who don’t have a UAN and wish to generate and activate it
Step 1: Open the UMANG app and navigate to "UAN Allotment and Activation."
Step 2: Enter the following details
Aadhaar number
Mobile number
Tick the consent checkbox for Aadhaar validation
Step 3: Tap "Send OTP" and verify using the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked number.
Step 4: If prompted, install the Aadhaar Face RD App.
Step 5: If no existing UAN is found, proceed with Face Authentication:
Provide consent and tap "Face Authentication"
A face scan will be performed
Step 6: Once verified, the system generates a UAN and sends it to your mobile via SMS.

For users who already have a UAN but haven’t activated it yet.
Step1 : Open UMANG and go to "UAN Activation".
Step 2: Enter the following details UAN
Aadhaar number
Mobile number
Consent for Aadhaar validation
Step 3: Tap "Send OTP" and verify using your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
Step 4: Proceed with Face Authentication using the UIDAI API.
Step 5: After successful verification:
Your UAN gets activated
You receive the UAN and a temporary password via SMS. Your EPFO database is updated with photo and address.

For users with an already activated UAN who need to update EPFO records via biometric verification.
Step 1: Open UMANG and tap "Face Authentication of Already Activated UANs".
Step 2: Provide consent and proceed with Face Authentication.
Step 3: The system uses UIDAI API to verify identity and fetches:
UAN
Aadhaar details
Registered mobile number
Step 4: EPFO records are automatically updated with the verified information.