Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has officially announced the launch of E-PRAAPTI, a dedicated digital platform designed by the EPFO to help millions of subscribers recover “lost” or inoperative provident fund accounts.
The portal, whose name stands for EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts, specifically targets the common problem where older PF accounts (often from before the 2014 UAN era) remain dormant because they aren’t linked to a member’s current Universal Account Number.
Key Features of E-PRAAPTI
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Aadhaar-Based Discovery: You can use your Aadhaar details to search for and verify identity across old accounts, even if you don’t have the UAN for those specific previous jobs.
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Member ID Focus: In its first phase, the portal allows users who still have their Old Member IDs (found on old payslips) to initiate a search and link them to their current UAN.
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No Employer Intervention: The platform aims to allow users to update their profiles and link accounts seamlessly, reducing the need to chase down former employers for approvals.
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Future Scope: The Ministry plans to expand the portal later to help users who cannot recall their old Member IDs at all.
Why Is This Launch Happening Now?
The government is pushing for total digitization of the PF system. Recent data shared alongside this announcement reveals a massive increase in efficiency:
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Record Settlements: The EPFO settled 83.1 million claims in FY26, up from 60.1 million in FY25.
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Auto-Mode Processing: Over 71% of partial withdrawal (advance) claims are now processed automatically within just three days.
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Unclaimed Funds: There are thousands of crores currently sitting in inoperative accounts; E-PRAAPTI is the primary tool intended to return this money to subscribers.
Quick Checklist for Inoperative Accounts
| Status | Definition |
| Inoperative Account | An account where no contributions have been made for 36 consecutive months after retirement or leaving a job. |
| Interest Rule | Currently, accounts continue to earn interest until the member reaches 58 years of age, even if inoperative. |
| The Fix | Use E-PRAAPTI (once live) to link the old account to your current UAN and then apply for a Transfer Claim to bring the balance into your active account. |
New Form 121 Replacing 15G/15H
In a related update effective April 1, 2026, the EPFO has introduced Form 121, which replaces the old Forms 15G and 15H. This single form simplifies the process for all age groups to claim TDS exemptions on withdrawals, provided your total income is below the taxable limit.
A quick tip for your current PF account: Before using the new portal, ensure your current UAN has a verified Aadhaar and bank account (KYC), as this will make the final “linking” of your old accounts much faster.
