Aadhaar–UAN seeding: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has announced the discontinuation of the extension of the timeline for mandatory Aadhaar seeding with UAN for submission of EKR to October 31, as per circular dated December 1, 2025. The mandatory requirement for submission of the Electronic Challan-cum. only applicable to members whose Aadhaar number has been seeded and verified with their Universal Account Number (UAN). For those who are not aware, a UAN is a 12-digit unique identification number issued to salaried individuals to manage their provident fund. This ID enables simplified online transfer of PF accounts across employers during post changes of subscribers. The latest extension, which was granted vide MoL&E communication dated October 28, allowed certain categories an extra time till October 31, 2025. These categories include the following: I. North East Region (NER): States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. II. Specific industries: Beedi manufacturing, building and construction and plantation industries (including tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper, jute, rubber, Cinchona, cashew nuts). Multiple extensions in the past EPFO has admitted that multiple extensions have been given in the past for Aadhaar-UAN seeding. “Over the last four years, sufficient opportunities have been provided to complete Aadhaar-UAN seeding and verification. Current reliance is marginal and is continuously declining. In view of the above, and to avoid further reliance on repetitive extensions, it has been decided not to grant any further extension,” the circular said. Accordingly, it is clarified that the timeline for Aadhaar seeding and verification with UAN will not be extended beyond October 31. The circular also instructed all zonal offices and regional offices to immediately start intensive sensitization and awareness campaigns targeting the concerned employers. Through the circular, EPFO has clearly informed the employers that ECR filing for the month of November 2025 onwards will be allowed only for the members whose Aadhaar is properly seeded and verified with UAN. And it would be done without exception. For all personal finance updates, visit here
