The Universal Account Number (UAN) is a unique 12-digit number allotted to every employee contributing to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in India. It serves as an umbrella for multiple Member IDs allotted by different employers. If you’ve forgotten or never received your UAN, you can retrieve it easily using your mobile phone via SMS.
This article will guide you step-by-step on how to know your UAN number by SMS, along with alternate methods to find it if SMS doesn’t work.
What is UAN and Why is It Important?
The UAN helps consolidate all your EPF accounts under one umbrella, simplifying management and tracking of your provident fund contributions. With UAN, employees can:
- Check EPF balance online
- Transfer PF from one account to another
- Withdraw PF online
- Receive SMS alerts for monthly contributions
Knowing your UAN is crucial for accessing these benefits.
How to Know UAN Number by SMS
To receive your UAN number by SMS, follow the official method set by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
Steps:
- Open the SMS app on your registered mobile number.
- Type the following message: nginxCopyEdit
EPFOHO UAN ENG- Here, “EPFOHO” is the keyword.
- “UAN” is the service code.
- “ENG” is the language code (you can replace “ENG” with your preferred language code like HIN for Hindi, TAM for Tamil, etc.)
- Send the SMS to 7738299899.
Important Notes:
- This service only works if your UAN is already activated and your mobile number is linked to your EPF account.
- You will receive an SMS response from EPFO containing your UAN and other account details.
Language Codes for EPFO SMS
You can choose to receive the message in various Indian languages. Here are the language codes:
| Language | Code |
|---|---|
| English | ENG |
| Hindi | HIN |
| Punjabi | PUN |
| Gujarati | GUJ |
| Marathi | MAR |
| Kannada | KAN |
| Telugu | TEL |
| Tamil | TAM |
| Malayalam | MAL |
| Bengali | BEN |
For example, to get your UAN in Hindi, send:
nginxCopyEditEPFOHO UAN HIN
to 7738299899.
Alternate Methods to Find UAN Number
If you’re unable to retrieve your UAN via SMS, try one of the following methods:
1. Check with Your Employer
- Your UAN is usually printed on your salary slip.
- HR or payroll departments maintain UANs of all employees.
2. Use the EPFO Member Portal
- Visit: https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface/
- Click on “Know your UAN” under the Important Links section.
- Enter your registered mobile number and captcha.
- Request OTP.
- After verification, you will receive your UAN on the screen or via SMS.
3. Using the UMANG App
- Download the UMANG App from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Go to EPFO services.
- Login using mobile number and OTP.
- Navigate to Employee-Centric Services → View UAN.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
1. No SMS Received
- Ensure you sent the SMS from your registered mobile number.
- Double-check the format:
EPFOHO UAN ENG. - Make sure your UAN is already generated and activated.
2. UAN Not Activated
- Visit the EPFO portal to activate your UAN using your Member ID or Aadhaar.
3. Wrong Language Code
- Use a valid language code (e.g., ENG, HIN, TAM). Invalid codes will cause the SMS to fail.
Tips for UAN and EPFO Management
- Link Aadhaar with UAN for seamless service access.
- Keep your mobile number and email updated on the EPFO portal.
- Download your UAN card from the member portal for future reference.
- Regularly check your EPF balance via missed call or SMS services.
Conclusion
Knowing your UAN number by SMS is a quick and reliable method as long as your mobile number is registered with EPFO. For those unable to access it via SMS, alternate options like the EPFO portal, UMANG app, or employer records offer easy access. Once retrieved, make sure to keep your UAN safe, link Aadhaar, and activate it online for complete control over your PF account.