The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched a new facility ‘Passbook Lite’, through which members can access their provident fund details without visiting the passbook portal of the retirement fund body.
To access their PF details, EPFO members currently log in to the passbook portal of the EPFO and check their PF contributions and transactions.
The Ministry of Labour & Employment issued a statement saying that the facility is in alignment with the government’s efforts towards efficient, transparent and user-friendly services for its members.
EPFO services that can be availed by members on ‘Passbook Lite’
This new facility has been created within its member portal (https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/).
“This feature will enable members to easily check their passbook and related summarised view of the contributions, withdrawals and balance in a simple and convenient format through the member portal itself without having to go to the passbook portal,” the statement said.
Key features of ‘Passbook Lite’
-Improved user experience
-All key services, including passbook access through one login
-Comprehensive view of passbook details, including graphical display
Along with this new facility, EPFO members can continue to access the existing passbook portal as well.
This approach ensures greater ease of access for members while simultaneously enhancing operational efficiency by reducing the load on the existing passbook portal and simplifying the architecture through integration of existing APIs within the member portal.
Online access to Annexure K (Transfer Certificate) for PF transfer transparency
At present, when employees change jobs, their PF accounts are transferred to the new employer’s PF office through Form 13 online. After transfer, a Transfer Certificate (Annexure K) is generated by the previous PF office and sent to the new PF office. Until now, Annexure K was only shared between PF offices and was made available to members only on their request.
A reform has been introduced that now enables members to directly download Annexure K in PDF format from the Member Portal itself. This will bring the following benefits to members:
-Ability to track status of transfer applications online, ensuring full transparency and allowing members to easily verify their PF transfers,
-Confirmation that PF balance and service period are correctly updated in the new account,
-Maintenance of a permanent digital record for future reference, especially important for EPS benefit calculations,
-Promoting ease of living, transparency, and trust in EPFO processes.
Summing up…
‘Passbook Lite’ service of the EPFO is aimed at providing all key services through a single login for greater ease of access. The initiative is expected to reduce grievances, improve transparency, and enhance member satisfaction.