Mandaviya Launches EPFO WhatsApp Services and Automatic Account Settlements

Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya launched two new digital initiatives during the 74th Foundation Day celebrations of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in New Delhi on November 1, 2026. The initiatives aim to streamline access to retirement funds and modernize member services.

The first initiative introduces the automatic settlement of eligible inoperative EPF accounts with balances of 1,000 rupees or less. This process, which requires Aadhaar verification and confirmed bank details, removes the need for individual claims. The Ministry of Labour and Employment estimates this will benefit approximately 100,000 accounts, totaling 5 crore rupees.

Additionally, the EPFO introduced a verified WhatsApp service. This tool allows subscribers to check balances, view passbook details, and access their five most recent transactions without visiting regional offices. The service also provides personalized guidance for members completing requirements under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, particularly those with pending documentation or Aadhaar authentication issues.

During the event, Mandaviya presented the Bhavishya Nidhi Awards 2026 to recognize outstanding contributions from EPFO offices and employees. The celebration highlighted the expansion of social protection in India, with coverage rising from 19 percent in 2015 to 68.4 percent in 2026. As of late 2026, the EPFO manages a retirement corpus of nearly 32 lakh crore rupees for approximately 8 crore contributing members and 85 lakh pensioners.