EPFO to Roll Out Licensed Service Agents to Ease PF Withdrawals and Transfers

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is preparing to introduce licensed service agents to simplify provident fund withdrawals, transfers and account-related services for millions of subscribers across India, according to officials familiar with the plan.

The move, cleared in principle by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, will be placed before the EPFO’s central board of trustees for approval at its next meeting. Once implemented, trained and licensed agents will assist members with PF withdrawals, account transfers between jobs and service-related claims, reducing delays and procedural hurdles.

Officials said the proposal is part of the broader EPFO 2.0 reform programme, aimed at modernising service delivery and improving member experience. The model mirrors facilitation systems already used for income tax and GST services, where authorised agents help users navigate digital and documentation processes.

The EPFO manages retirement savings for more than 27 crore members and processes crores of claims annually. While online systems have expanded in recent years, officials acknowledge that many subscribers continue to face difficulties completing procedures independently.

Licensed agents to assist with core PF services

Under the proposed framework, EPFO will empanel service providers who will undergo structured training before receiving official licences. These agents will operate across EPFO offices nationwide, assisting members with withdrawal claims, fund transfers and service history adjustments.

Unlike regular employees, the agents will not be on EPFO’s payroll. Instead, members will pay a government-notified service fee for specific services, officials said.

Multi-channel support under EPFO 2.0

Labour ministry sources said the initiative complements existing digital upgrades rolled out under EPFO 2.0, including faster claim settlements and expanded online access. The next phase includes plans to enable instant PF withdrawals through UPI, followed by ATM-based access.

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has earlier indicated that linking EPF accounts with UPI platforms is targeted for rollout by March 2026, subject to technical readiness.

Operational impact and scale

According to official data, EPFO processed more than 4.6 crore claims and enabled the seamless transfer of over 65 lakh PF accounts by December 2025. Monthly pension payments to more than 70 lakh pensioners have also continued without disruption.

Officials believe the introduction of licensed agents will further reduce grievance volumes and improve turnaround times, particularly for members unfamiliar with digital processes.

If approved by the trustees, the licensing framework will be notified later this year, followed by training and phased deployment. EPFO officials said operational guidelines, fee structures and compliance safeguards will be published to prevent misuse and ensure transparency.

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