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Many employees assume that the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) decides which bank account will receive their monthly salary. In reality, this is not the case. Your salary is credited to the bank account chosen by your employer at the time of joining. EPFO has no role in determining the salary account.

EPFO only manages the bank account that is linked with your Universal Account Number (UAN). This is the account where your PF-related transactions are processed—such as PF withdrawals, advances, final settlements, and pension payments.

Therefore, if you have recently switched jobs, opened a new bank account, or changed your active salary account, it is extremely important to update your bank details in EPFO. Failing to do so may result in delays or problems when you try to withdraw PF money in the future. Updating this information ensures that PF payouts are credited smoothly without any complications.

What You Need Before Updating Bank Details in EPFO

Before you begin the process of updating your bank account on the EPFO portal, make sure the following conditions are met:

• Your new bank account must be fully active.

• Your bank account should be KYC-compliant.

• The name in your bank records must match the name in your Aadhaar and EPFO profile exactly. Even minor spelling errors or variations in initials often cause rejection.

• SMS alerts or mobile banking services should be active, as you may receive one-time passwords (OTPs) during the verification process.

Once these details are accurate, updating the bank account in EPFO becomes easy and hassle-free.

How to Update Bank Account Details on the EPFO Member Portal

You can update your bank information online through the EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal by following these steps:

1. Visit the EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal and log in using your UAN, password, and captcha.

2. Go to the ‘Manage’ menu and select ‘KYC’.

3. Under the KYC section, choose the Bank option.

4. Enter your new bank account number, the correct name as registered with the bank, and the IFSC code.

5. Click Save.

Once saved, the status will appear as Pending until verification is completed.

Earlier, after submission, the employer had to approve the request, and only then EPFO verified the bank details. Many organizations still follow this process, but newer methods have made updates much faster.

Aadhaar-Linked System Makes the Process Faster

In the past year, EPFO has simplified Aadhaar-based verification for KYC updates.
If your Aadhaar is linked with your UAN and your mobile number is up to date, bank details can be verified without needing your employer’s approval. This system is especially useful for:

• Bank account updates

• Aadhaar correction

• Other KYC modifications

This makes the entire process significantly quicker and more user-friendly.

Updating EPFO Bank Details Using the UMANG App

For users who prefer updating their information via mobile, the government’s UMANG app is a convenient solution.

• Open UMANG and log in using UAN and OTP.

• You can view and update several KYC details, including bank information.

• You can also track claims, view passbooks, and monitor EPFO activity from the same app.

If you have requested a bank change, the UMANG app also shows whether the update has been approved.

What If Your Previous Employer Is Unresponsive or the Company Has Closed?

Many employees face difficulties when their former employer does not approve KYC requests, especially if:

• They have left the job

• The company has shut down

• HR departments are non-responsive

For such cases, EPFO allows an offline solution.

Offline Process for KYC and Bank Updates

You can visit your EPFO regional office and submit:

• Aadhaar

• A cancelled cheque of the new bank account

• A valid ID proof

EPFO officials manually verify the documents and update your bank details in the system. Though this method takes longer, it ensures your PF money does not get credited to the wrong account and helps avoid payment delays.