Last updated: 9 November 2026
- What you need before you apply
- Step-by-step: online claim on the EPFO portal and UMANG
- Form 19, 31, 10C and 10D: which one you need
- Partial withdrawal purposes and limits
- TDS on PF withdrawal before 5 years, with examples
- Rejection reasons and how to fix each
- How to track your claim status
- Full PF withdrawal is generally allowed after you have been out of work for 2 months; up to 75% after 1 month (older rule; see the 2025 reform note below).
- TDS applies if service is under 5 years and the amount is ₹50,000 or more: 10% with PAN, 20% without PAN.
- Form 15G (under 60) or 15H (60+) can stop TDS if your total income is below the taxable limit.
- EPFO raised the auto-settlement limit for advance claims to ₹5 lakh in 2025, so many advances settle within days.
- In October 2025, EPFO's Central Board approved merging partial-withdrawal rules into three categories. Check the portal for the rules in force on the day you apply.
Sources: EPFO member portal and circulars; Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952; Income Tax Act, Section 192A; EPFO CBT press release, October 2025.
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Most PF claims that fail, fail before anyone at EPFO reads them, because something in the member profile doesn't match. Fix these first and your claim usually goes through without a visit to any office.
| Requirement | How to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| UAN activated | You can log in to the member portal | Online claims need a login |
| Aadhaar seeded and verified | Manage → KYC shows Aadhaar as verified | The claim is signed with an Aadhaar OTP |
| Bank account + IFSC verified | Manage → KYC shows bank as approved | Money goes only to this account |
| PAN linked | Manage → KYC | Without PAN, TDS is higher (20% instead of 10%) |
| Name, DOB, gender match Aadhaar | View → Profile | Mismatch is a top rejection reason |
| Date of exit updated (for full withdrawal) | View → Service History | No exit date, no final settlement |
Don't know your UAN, or it isn't active yet? Start with our guide on how to find and activate your UAN.
Step-by-step: how to withdraw PF online (EPFO member portal)
- Go to the EPFO Member e-Sewa portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in) and log in with your UAN, password and captcha. You may be asked for an OTP.
- Click Online Services → Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D).
- Enter the last 4 digits of your bank account number and click Verify. Accept the undertaking.
- Click Proceed for Online Claim.
- Choose the member ID (employer) you are claiming from, then pick from I want to apply for: full PF settlement, pension withdrawal, or PF advance (Form 31).
- For an advance, choose the purpose, enter the amount and your address. Upload a scanned cheque or passbook page if asked.
- If TDS may apply and your income is below the taxable limit, upload Form 15G/15H.
- Tick the certificate box, click Get Aadhaar OTP, enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile and submit.
- Note the claim reference number shown on screen and in the SMS.
Doing it on the UMANG app
On the UMANG app, search for EPFO, then choose Raise Claim under employee-centric services. Enter your UAN, verify with OTP, pick the member ID and claim type, and submit. The checks are the same as on the portal: Aadhaar, bank and exit date must already be in order.
Pre-claim checklist (save this)
1. Exit date is in your service history (or the employer has updated it) 2. Aadhaar, PAN and bank show as verified under KYC 3. Name and DOB match Aadhaar exactly 4. Older PF accounts are transferred to your current member ID 5. Phone with Aadhaar-linked number is with you (for OTP) 6. Cheque leaf or passbook scan ready, under 1 MB 7. Form 15G/15H ready if TDS applies and your income is below the taxable limit
Which form do you need? Form 19, 31, 10C and 10D
| Form | Used for | When you can use it |
|---|---|---|
| Form 19 | Final settlement of PF (employee + employer share with interest) | After leaving the job and being out of work for the required period (usually 2 months), or at retirement |
| Form 10C | Withdrawal benefit from the pension fund (EPS), or a scheme certificate | When you leave with under 10 years of EPS service and want the pension part paid out |
| Form 31 | Partial withdrawal or advance while still a member | For allowed purposes such as illness, housing, education or marriage |
| Form 10D | Monthly pension | After 10+ years of EPS service, from age 58 (reduced early pension from 50) |
| Form 13 | Transfer of PF from an old employer to a new one | When you change jobs and want to keep the money invested |
| Form 20 | Claim by the family/nominee | On the death of the member |
Plain advice: if you are changing jobs, transfer (Form 13, often automatic now with an Aadhaar-linked UAN) instead of withdrawing. Your service stays continuous, which keeps future withdrawals tax-free after 5 years and protects your pension eligibility.
Partial withdrawal (PF advance): purposes and limits
Partial withdrawals are allowed only for specific purposes. The table shows the long-standing rules, which most guides still quote. In October 2025, EPFO's Central Board approved replacing them with three broad categories, described after the table. Which version applies depends on when EPFO put the change into effect, so read the purpose list on the claim screen before you choose.
| Purpose | Minimum service (older rules) | Usual limit (older rules) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical treatment (self or family) | None | 6 months' basic + DA, or your share with interest, whichever is less |
| Marriage (self, child, sibling) | 7 years | 50% of your share with interest |
| Higher education (self or child) | 7 years | 50% of your share with interest |
| Buying or building a house / buying a plot | 5 years | Up to 36 months' basic + DA (24 months for a plot) |
| Repaying a home loan | 3 years | Up to 36 months' basic + DA |
| Renovating a house | 5 years after the house is complete | Up to 12 months' basic + DA |
| One month of unemployment | None | Up to 75% of the balance |
| Within 1 year of retirement (age 54+) | None | Up to 90% of the balance |
The 2025 simplification, in brief
EPFO announced that the old list of 13 purposes would be merged into three groups: essential needs (illness, education, marriage), housing, and special circumstances (where you don't need to give a detailed reason). The announced design lets members withdraw up to the full eligible balance (employee and employer share) while keeping 25% of contributions as a minimum balance, with a common minimum service of 12 months, and more withdrawals allowed for education and marriage. Treat these as announced rules; check the EPFO portal or your HR team for exactly what is live when you apply.
TDS on PF withdrawal before 5 years
PF stays tax-free if you withdraw after 5 years of continuous service. Service with earlier employers counts only if you transferred the PF. Withdraw earlier and EPFO deducts tax at source under Section 192A of the Income Tax Act (carried into the new Income-tax Act, 2025 under a new section number) when the amount is ₹50,000 or more.
| Situation | TDS by EPFO |
|---|---|
| 5+ years continuous service (including transferred service) | No TDS |
| Under 5 years, amount below ₹50,000 | No TDS |
| Under 5 years, ₹50,000 or more, PAN linked | 10% |
| Under 5 years, ₹50,000 or more, no PAN | 20% |
| Under 5 years, valid Form 15G/15H submitted | No TDS (if you qualify to file it) |
| Job ended due to ill-health, business closure or reasons beyond your control | Usually not taxable; check with your CA |
Worked example: withdrawal at 3 years 4 months
Service: 3 years 4 months, one employer, PAN linked PF balance: ₹2,40,000 Employee share + interest: ₹1,30,000 Employer share + interest: ₹1,10,000 TDS at 10% on ₹2,40,000 = ₹24,000 Amount credited to bank = ₹2,16,000 When you file your ITR, the taxable part (broadly the employer share, interest, and any employee contributions you claimed under 80C) is added to your income. The ₹24,000 TDS is credited against your final tax, so you may get some of it back.
Worked example: why transfer matters
Service: 4 years with Company A + 2 years with Company B PF transferred from A to B? YES Continuous service = 6 years → no TDS, withdrawal tax-free PF transferred? NO (two separate member IDs) Service counted for each = 4 years and 2 years → TDS applies to each claim of ₹50,000+
The tax treatment of PF withdrawn early has a few edge cases (opted regime, 80C claims in past years, ill-health exits). If the amount is large, check with your CA before filing.
Rejection reasons and how to fix each
| Rejection reason | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Name / DOB mismatch | EPFO record differs from Aadhaar | Raise a correction (Joint Declaration or online profile update) and wait for approval |
| Bank details not verified | IFSC changed (bank merger) or account closed | Update bank under Manage → KYC; employer approves |
| Date of exit not available | Employer hasn't marked your exit | Ask HR to update, or mark it yourself (allowed 2 months after the last contribution) |
| Cheque / passbook not clear | Name or account number not readable | Upload a clear scan with your name printed |
| Service not eligible | Purpose needs more years of service | Choose an eligible purpose or wait |
| Multiple member IDs not linked | Old PF not transferred | Transfer old accounts (Form 13) first |
| Form 15G/15H issue | Uploaded when not eligible, or unsigned | Re-submit without it, or with a correct form |
| Claim already in process | Duplicate claim | Wait for the first claim to settle or be rejected |
Email to HR when your exit date is missing
Subject: Request to update date of exit – UAN 1009XXXXXX42 Dear HR team, My last working day at ABC Technologies was 31 August 2026. My EPF claim was rejected because the date of exit is not updated on the EPFO portal. Could you please update the date of exit as 31-08-2026 with reason 'Cessation (short service)' and let me know once done? UAN: 1009XXXXXX42 Member ID: KNBNG00XXXXX0000012345 Thank you, Rohan Mehta
How to check your PF claim status
- Member portal: Online Services → Track Claim Status.
- EPFO website: 'Know your claim status' under Services (needs UAN or member ID).
- UMANG app: EPFO → Track Claim.
- SMS: you get SMS updates at each stage on your registered mobile.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Under process | Received; being checked by EPFO |
| Pending at field office | A dealing assistant is reviewing it |
| Settled | Approved; money usually reaches your bank in 2–5 working days |
| Rejected | Reason is shown; fix it and file a fresh claim |
Auto-settled advance claims often finish in 3–4 working days. EPFO aims to settle claims within 20 days. If it is stuck longer, raise a grievance on the EPFiGMS portal with your claim ID. If you've just left a job, also chase your other dues through your full and final settlement.
FAQs
How can I withdraw my PF online?
Log in to the EPFO member portal, go to Online Services → Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D), verify your bank, choose the claim type and submit with an Aadhaar OTP.
When can I withdraw my full PF?
Usually after you leave your job and stay out of work for 2 months, or at retirement. Check the portal for the current rules, as EPFO approved changes in October 2025.
How long does PF withdrawal take?
Auto-settled claims often take 3–4 working days. Others can take up to about 20 days.
Is TDS deducted on PF withdrawal?
Yes, at 10% (20% without PAN) if you have under 5 years of continuous service and withdraw ₹50,000 or more. Form 15G/15H can avoid it if your income is below the taxable limit.
Do I need my employer's approval to withdraw PF?
Not for most online claims, if your Aadhaar, bank and PAN KYC are approved and your exit date is updated.
Which form is used for PF withdrawal?
Form 19 for final PF settlement, Form 10C for the pension withdrawal benefit, Form 31 for advances, and Form 10D for monthly pension.
Can I withdraw PF while working?
Only a partial withdrawal (advance) for allowed purposes such as illness, housing, education or marriage.
Why was my PF claim rejected?
Common reasons: name or DOB mismatch, bank not verified, exit date missing, unclear cheque image or old accounts not transferred. The rejection reason is shown in claim status.
Should I withdraw or transfer PF when changing jobs?
Usually transfer. It keeps your service continuous, which keeps later withdrawals tax-free after 5 years and protects pension eligibility.
