Millions of salaried employees who have been struggling to recover money lying in old Provident Fund (PF) accounts may soon get major relief as the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is preparing to launch a new Aadhaar-linked digital platform called E-PRAAPTI.

The proposed system is aimed at helping employees trace inactive PF accounts, link them with their Universal Account Number (UAN), complete pending Know Your Customer (KYC) formalities and reactivate dormant accounts without depending heavily on former employers or HR departments.

The initiative is expected to benefit workers who have changed jobs multiple times, failed to transfer old PF balances, or lost track of earlier PF accounts over the years.

E-PRAAPTI stands for Employees’ Provident Fund Aadhaar-based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts. The portal is being developed as part of EPFO’s broader push to modernise its digital infrastructure and improve access to retirement savings.

According to official estimates, more than 31.8 lakh PF accounts are currently classified as inoperative, with over Rs 10,900 crore lying unclaimed in these accounts as of early 2026.

Officials said many of these accounts became inactive after employees changed jobs but did not transfer their PF balances to a new account. In several cases, incomplete KYC details, missing Aadhaar linkage or closure of old companies made it difficult for employees to recover their savings.

Data shows that nearly 7 lakh accounts have remained inactive for more than 20 years, while around 1.8 lakh accounts are between 10 and 20 years old. Another 13 lakh accounts are estimated to be dormant for five to 10 years.

The Labour Ministry has already started a pilot project to automatically settle small inactive PF accounts. Under the initiative, balances of less than Rs 1,000 from Aadhaar-linked and KYC-compliant accounts are being directly credited to employees’ bank accounts.

Around 7.11 lakh such small accounts, containing a combined amount of Rs 30.52 crore, have been identified for automatic settlement.

Under the proposed E-PRAAPTI system, users will be able to log in using Aadhaar authentication and search for old PF accounts through previous member IDs.

Once the inactive account is located, it can be linked to the employee’s current UAN. Users will also be able to digitally update KYC information, including Aadhaar, PAN and bank account details.

After successful verification, the dormant account can be reactivated, enabling the employee to transfer the balance, withdraw funds or continue operating the account.

Market expert Anil Singhvi said the proposed platform could become a major solution for employees whose PF savings have remained stuck for years.

“Many employees are unable to access their old PF money because their accounts became inactive over time or were never linked properly with UAN. The new E-PRAAPTI system is being designed to make the process transparent, digital and much simpler,” he said.

Experts said the online system would reduce paperwork and eliminate the need for repeated visits to EPFO offices.

One of the key features of the new platform is expected to be reduced dependence on employers for resolving PF-related issues. At present, many employees are required to contact former companies or HR departments to obtain PF details, update records or complete transfer formalities.

Industry experts said the new Aadhaar-linked system could allow employees to independently manage old PF accounts without relying heavily on previous employers. The initiative is considered especially important for sectors such as information technology, consulting and services, where job changes are frequent.

Retirement planning experts said many salaried individuals are unaware that even PF accounts that are 10 to 20 years old may still contain recoverable balances.

“People often assume old PF money is lost if the company shuts down or records are incomplete. However, Aadhaar integration and digital account tracing may make recovery significantly easier,” a financial planner said.

Experts added that the portal could also help employees who never received a UAN or whose multiple PF accounts were not merged properly over time.

The launch of E-PRAAPTI is part of EPFO’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency, speed and accessibility in PF account management. Officials said the organisation has been focusing on faster claim settlements and wider digital access for subscribers across the country.

The proposed platform is expected to offer a single-window digital solution for locating inactive accounts, updating KYC details, linking UANs and processing withdrawals or transfers. Experts believe the initiative could particularly help younger professionals who frequently switch employers and face complications in consolidating PF accounts.

“With Aadhaar-based verification, employees who move from one city to another will still be able to manage and recover old PF accounts from anywhere in the country,” Singhvi said.

Industry observers said that if implemented effectively, the platform could significantly reduce the large volume of unclaimed PF money and improve overall user experience for EPFO subscribers.

The portal is expected to become operational after completion of technical integration and pilot testing by the EPFO and the Labour Ministry.