The Employees Provident Fund Organisation has begun crediting 8.25 percent interest for the financial year 2025-26 into members provident fund accounts. The move benefits nearly 80 million subscribers and follows a major technology upgrade aimed at accelerating the crediting process. Users accessing the EPFO portal will also see changes, such as a revised method for activating or creating the Universal Account Number. The central government has approved the 8.25 percent annual rate on EPF balances under the Employees Provident Fund Scheme 1952. Field offices have been instructed to complete crediting without delay in line with scheme rules. The approval followed review by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and received sanction from the Union Minister. Recent database consolidation and software improvements are expected to reduce processing time compared with prior years. UAN activation and generation have shifted exclusively to the UMANG app, where Aadhaar-based face authentication is now required. Employers have no obligation to match voluntary contributions above the statutory wage limit.
