Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday announced a significant enhancement to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s (EPFO) service framework by raising the auto-settlement limit for advance claims from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
The upgraded facility is aimed at enabling members to access funds more swiftly, particularly during times of financial need.
With this decision, EPFO members can now get their advance claims of up to ₹5 lakh settled within three working days under the automated mode.
Previously, the auto-settlement cap stood at ₹1 lakh.
Minister Mandaviya stated that the change will facilitate faster fund access, especially in emergencies, and will benefit lakhs of account holders.
Wider coverage of advanced claim categories
The EPFO originally introduced the auto-settlement mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure quick disbursal of funds to those facing urgent financial distress.
Since then, the scope of the facility has expanded to include claims related to medical needs, education, marriage, and housing.
The automated system processes claims without human intervention, ensuring speed, accuracy, and transparency.
The impact of this digital transformation is evident in EPFO’s recent performance.
In FY25, the organisation processed a record 2.34 crore advance claims through auto-settlement, marking a 161 per cent rise from the 89.52 lakh claims settled in FY24.
Auto-mode settlements accounted for 59 per cent of all claims in FY25, up from 31 per cent the previous year.
In the first 2.5 months of FY26 alone, EPFO has already processed 76.52 lakh claims through the auto-settlement route, constituting 70 per cent of all advance withdrawals handled so far this fiscal.
This significant uptake reflects the growing trust in and effectiveness of automated claim processing.
Towards a more efficient EPFO
Minister Mandaviya emphasised that the increase in auto-settlement limits underlines EPFO’s commitment to enhancing member services.
He added that automation not only reduces processing time but also builds confidence among users.
The organisation, which currently serves over 7 crore members, is increasingly leveraging technology to provide faster, more responsive support to its contributors.
The move is seen as a progressive step in digitising public service delivery and aligns with the broader Digital India mission.
By making fund access simpler and quicker, the EPFO aims to provide timely financial relief to millions of workers, strengthening India’s social security framework and fostering trust in digital governance.
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