Provident Fund (PF) as a scheme was another initiative after NPS, taken by the government to ensure a financially secure retirement life. It involves a regular contribution by both the employee and employer in a PF account, which accumulates and assists the employee after he/she stops working.
This involves 2 accounts. One is the PF account that changes each time you get employed at a new organisation and the 2nd one is the consolidated EPF account. The EPF account is identified by the Universal Account Number (UAN). If you want to know the balance in this particular account at any point of time, you have multiple options.
You can log in to the EPFO e-SEWA portal, mobile app or even receive details via SMS using your UAN. People often end up taking loans due to the myth that PF money is only for retirement. But if you learn more about withdrawing from your PF fund online, you’d realise there’s so much more to it.
You can in fact withdraw in case of any emergencies like hospitalization, education, marriage or any large expenditures like house repairs. The main requirements include:
- Activated UAN
- Verified and UAN Linked Aadhar number
- Bank account for PF must be same as that linked with Aadhar
If there is a change with respect to the 3rd point, you can always complete the eKYC process and update the details in accordance with your requirements.
Main steps involved in withdrawing from PF Online
1. Login: You need to log into the EPFO e-SEWA portal using your UAN, password and entering the captcha code. In case you forget the password, just like any other platform, you can reset it via OTP sent on your registered mobile number.
2. Visit Online Claims section: Once logged in, you can look for Claim (Form 31, 19, 10C & 10D) in the ‘online services’ section.
3. Enter bank Account details: Once you go to this section, all you have to do is enter the correct Bank account number (linked with UAN) as a verification process
4. Confirm Terms & Conditions (T&C): After entering the details, you’re required to confirm the Terms and Conditions as stated by the EPFO. You can then click on the ‘Proceed for Online Claim’
5. Reason for withdrawal: Once you proceed, you’ll have to click on the dropdown menu as stated beside this option. There, you will select the option that is your reason. You will only be shown the options that you’re eligible for
6. Details and document upload: On choosing the reason you’ll be required to enter your complete address and upload your cheque/passbook details if you’ve chosen the option for ‘Advance claim.’ You will then need to accept further Terms and Conditions before requesting a One Time Password (OTP) for verification.
7. Aadhar OTP: Once you’ve finished OTP verification, your application will be accepted.
After finishing this application process, you can login to the portal again for re-checking the status of your claim under the Track Claim Status. After verifying the details submitted by you while applying, you’d be notified with the status until the funds are eventually credited. Now that you know how to withdraw the amounts from your PF online; you should also know how to further grow this corpus. You can do so by re-investing this corpus in a good investment instrument.
This could be a Fixed Deposit (FD) as it is one of the best traditional alternatives available. Bajaj Finance FD has some great rates and returns, thereby serving as a sound re-investment option.

Gaurav Khanna is an experienced financial advisor, digital marketer writer who is well known for his ability to predict market trends.