New Delhi, April 29 (IANS). Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has made the highest ever claim settlement in the financial year 2025-26, which has led to a major improvement in digital convenience and easy access.
According to official data, EPFO settled 8.31 crore claims in the financial year 2025-26, which is much higher than 6.01 crore in 2024-25.
Of these, 5.51 crore claims were for advance or partial withdrawal, which shows that people are now easily able to withdraw their PF money when needed.
The organization has also strengthened its automation systems. About 71.11 percent advance claims were processed through auto mode, in which money is received within 3 days. It was 59.19 percent last year.
This has reduced manual work and increased the speed of work.
There has also been a big improvement in digital facilities. 6.68 crore people claimed without uploading cheque, 1.59 crore people linked bank accounts without employer’s approval, 70.55 lakh transfer claims were automated, 24.84 lakh people initiated the transfer themselves and 29.34 lakh people corrected their profiles themselves and used PF services without visiting the office.
In April 2026 alone, EPFO settled 61.03 lakh claims, of which about 74 percent advance claims were made through auto mode and 98.70 percent claims were settled within 20 days.
Meanwhile, an official statement said that EPFO in March fixed the interest rate on PF deposits at 8.25 per cent for 2025-26, which has been kept the same for the second consecutive year.
The decision was taken in the 239th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), which was chaired by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, Labor and Employment Secretary Vandana Gurnani and EPFO chief Ramesh Krishnamurthy were also present in the meeting.
After the decision of CBT, this interest rate will be sent to the Finance Ministry for approval. After approval, this rate will be applicable to the accounts of more than 7 crore account holders.
Interest on EPF deposits is calculated every month, but it is added to the accounts at the end of the financial year. However, accounts that remain inactive for 36 months do not earn interest as they are considered inoperative.
–IANS
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