₹5 Lakh Auto-Settlement: Faster Withdrawals, No Forms Needed
In a major upgrade to the Provident Fund system, the government has increased the auto-settlement limit for PF advances from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh. This means any partial withdrawal up to ₹5 lakh will now be processed automatically within three days—no manual approval or HR verification needed. The change aims to ease access to funds during emergencies.
The announcement came from Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who highlighted this move as a critical milestone in modernising the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) services.
ATM Access to PF Money: Coming Soon
The government is working on a new feature that will let salaried employees withdraw their PF money directly from nearby ATMs. The integration will allow users to choose their PF account while transacting at an ATM, just like selecting a savings or current account. This move removes the need to fill up forms or wait for processing.
The facility will rely on Aadhaar-linked authentication and the Universal Account Number (UAN) system. Though no launch date has been confirmed, backend software integration is in progress.
A portion of the PF balance will be made accessible for ATM withdrawals or UPI transfers, offering subscribers quicker, more flexible access to their savings.
End of Manual Claims: Full Digital Shift
EPFO has already removed the need for physical clearance from employers and HR departments. All claim submissions are now done online, further reducing delays and paperwork. This shift toward digital operations is part of a larger overhaul to simplify the system and make it more user-friendly.
The EPFO website and internal systems are also being redesigned and upgraded to support these new features.
Boost to India’s Social Security Framework
With nearly 70 million salaried Indians depending on PF as a safety net, these changes promise timely support during financial crises. The International Labour Organisation has also acknowledged India’s expanded social protection coverage—growing from 19 percent in 2015 to 64.3 percent today—marking this as a progressive step toward inclusive financial access.
