The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced updated rules for correcting and updating employee details in their Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) accounts. The new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guidelines, outlined in a circular issued on July 31, 2024, aim to streamline the process and enhance security measures for updating personal details.
Key Highlights of the New Guidelines
- Introduction of SOP Version 3.0: The new guidelines replace the earlier SOP and emphasize stronger due diligence by Field Offices to prevent impersonation and identity theft.
- Procedure for Joint Declarations: The guidelines specify the process for receiving Joint Declarations for updating, inserting, or correcting details in Universal Account Number (UAN) profiles by members and employers.
- Enhanced Security Measures: The automated system aims to address anomalies in member profiles that lead to rejections, failures, and frauds, ensuring genuine members can update details smoothly and efficiently.
Categories of Profile Changes
The EPFO circular categorizes profile changes into Major and Minor categories, each requiring specific documentation:
- Minor Changes: Require at least two documents from the list provided in Annexure-I.
- Major Changes: Require a minimum of three documents from the list in Annexure-I, except for changes related to Aadhaar, which require either an Aadhaar card or an E-Aadhaar card linked with an active mobile number.
Documents Required for Changes
Specific guidelines for documentary proof are detailed in Annexure-I of the circular. Here’s a summary of the requirements:
- For Minor Changes: At least two documents from the approved list in Annexure-I.
- For Major Changes: At least three documents from the approved list in Annexure-I, with exceptions for Aadhaar-related changes.
Common Issues Addressed
The updated guidelines address common issues that lead to difficulties in claim settlements due to data mismatches in parameters such as:
- Name
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Father’s Name
- Mother’s Name
- Spouse’s Name
- Marital Status
- Date of Joining
- Reason for Leaving
- Date of Leaving
- Nationality
- Aadhaar Number
Aims and Benefits of the Updated Guidelines
- Accurate and Efficient Updates: The new SOP ensures that employee details are updated accurately and efficiently, reducing the risk of errors and delays.
- Enhanced Security: By requiring multiple documents for changes, the guidelines help prevent identity theft and fraud.
- Smoother Claim Settlements: Correct and up-to-date member profiles facilitate smoother and faster claim settlements.
Conclusion
The EPFO’s updated guidelines for employee detail updates in EPF accounts aim to improve the accuracy and security of member profiles. By categorizing changes into Major and Minor categories and requiring multiple documents for verification, the new SOP ensures a more streamlined and secure process. These changes are expected to benefit both employees and employers by reducing the risk of identity theft and fraud while facilitating smoother claim settlements.
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