Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 29: In a significant step toward improving accessibility and digital efficiency, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has recorded its highest-ever claim settlements in the financial year 2025–26.
Official data shows that EPFO settled 8.31 crore claims during the year, marking a sharp rise from 6.01 crore claims in 2024–25. Notably, 5.51 crore of these were advance or partial withdrawal claims, reflecting greater ease for members to access their savings during urgent financial needs.
Automation has played a key role in this growth. Around 71.11% of advance claims were processed through EPFO’s auto-settlement system—where claims are cleared within three days—compared to 59.19% in the previous year. This shift has reduced manual intervention and significantly improved processing speed.
Digital services have also expanded considerably. Members increasingly used online features, with 6.68 crore claims filed without uploading cheque leaf images and 1.59 crore users linking bank accounts without employer approval. Additionally, 70.55 lakh transfer claims were auto-processed without member or employer involvement, while 24.84 lakh transfer requests were initiated directly by members. About 29.34 lakh subscribers independently updated their profiles and accessed their provident fund accounts without visiting EPFO offices.
In April 2026 alone, EPFO processed 61.03 lakh claims, with nearly 74% of advance claims handled automatically. Overall efficiency improved, with 98.70% of claims settled within 20 days.
On the policy front, EPFO has retained an interest rate of 8.25% on Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) deposits for 2025–26. The decision was taken during the 239th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees in New Delhi, chaired by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in the presence of Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, Labour Secretary Vandana Gurnani, and EPFO Chief Ramesh Krishnamurthi.
The proposed interest rate will now be sent to the Ministry of Finance for final approval. Once ratified, it will be credited to the accounts of more than seven crore EPFO subscribers.
EPF interest is calculated monthly but credited annually at the end of the financial year. However, accounts that remain inactive for over 36 months are classified as dormant and do not earn further interest.