Your Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is one of the most important savings for your future, so it’s smart to check PF balance regularly. The good news is that you no longer need to visit an EPFO office or wait for a yearly statement. Today you can check PF balance in less than a minute using a missed call, an SMS, the EPFO passbook portal or the UMANG app.

In this simple guide, we explain five easy methods to check PF balance in 2026, what you need before you start, how to read your EPF passbook, and how to fix the most common problems.

What Is PF Balance?

PF balance is the total amount saved in your Employees’ Provident Fund account. Every month, 12% of your basic salary plus dearness allowance is deducted as your contribution. Your employer also contributes, with part of that amount going to the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) and the rest to your EPF account.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) adds interest to this balance every year. For FY 2024–25, the EPF interest rate was 8.25%. Your PF balance therefore includes:

• Employee contribution
• Employer contribution (EPF share)
• Interest earned over the years
• Transfers from previous employers, if any

When you check PF balance, you can see all these parts, especially in the detailed EPF passbook.

Things You Need Before You Check PF Balance

Before trying any method, make sure the following basics are in place. Most errors happen because one of these is missing.

• UAN (Universal Account Number): a 12-digit number given by EPFO. You can find it on your salary slip or ask your employer’s HR team.
• Activated UAN: your UAN must be activated on the EPFO member portal.
• Registered mobile number: your mobile number should be linked with your UAN.
• KYC seeded: at least one of Aadhaar, PAN or bank account should be linked and approved by your employer. For missed call and SMS services, KYC seeding is required.

If you are not sure whether your UAN is active, visit the EPFO Member Portal and use the “Activate UAN” option.

Quick Comparison of All Methods

Method	Internet needed?	UAN needed?	What you get
Missed call	No	No (mobile must be linked)	Last contribution and balance by SMS
SMS	No	Yes	Last contribution and balance by SMS
EPFO passbook portal	Yes	Yes	Full passbook with monthly entries
UMANG app	Yes	Yes	Passbook, claims and other services
Employer / HR	No	No	Balance details as per company records

Method 1: Check PF Balance by Missed Call

This is the fastest way to check PF balance, and it works even on a basic phone without internet.

1. Use the mobile number that is registered with your UAN.
2. Give a missed call to 9966044425.
3. The call disconnects automatically after two rings. The service is free.
4. Within a few seconds, you receive an SMS from EPFO with your PF balance and last contribution details.

If you don’t receive an SMS, check that your UAN is activated and that your Aadhaar, PAN or bank account is seeded with KYC.

Method 2: Check PF Balance by SMS

You can also check PF balance by sending a simple SMS from your registered mobile number.

1. Open the messaging app on your phone.
2. Type EPFOHO UAN ENG (replace “ENG” with your preferred language code).
3. Send the message to 7738299899.
4. You will receive an SMS reply with your latest PF balance and contribution details.

The SMS service is available in several languages. Use these codes instead of ENG:

Language	Code
English	ENG
Hindi	HIN
Malayalam	MAL
Tamil	TAM
Telugu	TEL
Kannada	KAN
Marathi	MAR
Gujarati	GUJ
Punjabi	PUN
Bengali	BEN

For example, to get the reply in Malayalam, send EPFOHO UAN MAL to 7738299899.

Method 3: Check PF Balance Online Using the EPFO Passbook

The EPFO passbook shows the most complete picture, with month-by-month entries from you and your employer.

1. Visit the official EPFO Member Passbook portal.
2. Enter your UAN, password and the captcha code.
3. Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number, if asked.
4. Select the Member ID linked to your current or previous employer.
5. View or download your EPF passbook as a PDF.

The passbook usually becomes available a few hours after UAN activation. If you have worked with more than one employer, each employment may appear with a separate Member ID.

Method 4: Check PF Balance on the UMANG App

UMANG is the Government of India’s official app for many public services, including EPFO.

1. Download the UMANG app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Register or log in using your mobile number.
3. Search for EPFO or go to Services and select EPFO.
4. Tap View Passbook under Employee Centric Services.
5. Enter your UAN and tap “Get OTP”.
6. Enter the OTP and select the Member ID to see your PF balance.

Along with checking your balance, UMANG lets you raise claims, track claim status and view other EPFO services from the same app.

Method 5: Check PF Balance Without UAN

If you don’t remember your UAN, don’t worry. You still have a few options:

• Missed call method: it works with your registered mobile number, so you don’t need to type your UAN. Your KYC must be seeded.
• Find your UAN first: on the EPFO member portal, use “Know your UAN” with your mobile number, name, date of birth and Aadhaar or PAN.
• Ask your employer: your HR or payroll team can share your UAN and PF details.

Once you get your UAN, activate it and you can use all the methods above.

How to Read Your EPF Passbook

Many people check PF balance but find the passbook confusing. Here’s what the main columns mean:

• Employee Share: the amount deducted from your salary.
• Employer Share: your employer’s contribution to EPF.
• Pension Contribution: the part of your employer’s contribution that goes to EPS. This amount is not shown in your EPF balance for withdrawal in the same way.
• Interest: the interest credited for the financial year, usually shown as a separate entry.
• Transfer In: money transferred from a previous employer’s PF account.

Remember that interest is credited once a year, so your balance may look lower until the yearly interest entry appears.

Common Problems When You Try to Check PF Balance

No SMS after missed call

Your mobile number may not be linked to your UAN, or KYC may not be seeded. Log in to the member portal and check the “Manage” section for KYC status.

Passbook shows “no records”

If you recently joined a new company, your employer may not have filed contributions yet. Contributions usually appear after the employer files the monthly ECR return.

Wrong name or date of birth

Mismatched details can block services. Use the “Modify Basic Details” option on the member portal, with Aadhaar-based verification, and ask your employer to approve if needed.

Old PF not visible

If you changed jobs, your previous PF account may not be transferred. Use the “One Member – One EPF Account (Transfer Request)” option on the member portal.

Forgot your login details

Use the “Forgot Password” link on the member portal. You will need your UAN and registered mobile number to reset your login.

Tips to Keep Your PF Account Healthy

• Check PF balance at least once every three months to make sure your employer is depositing contributions on time.
• Keep your mobile number, Aadhaar, PAN and bank account updated with EPFO.
• Transfer your old PF account whenever you change jobs so your money stays in one place.
• Add or update your nominee details online through the member portal.
• Avoid unnecessary early withdrawals so your savings can grow with compound interest.
• Keep your login details private. EPFO officials will never ask for them on a call.

Why You Should Check PF Balance Regularly

Checking your balance is not just about knowing how much money you have. It also protects you. Regular checks help you:

• Confirm that your employer is depositing both shares every month.
• Spot missing months or wrong amounts early, when they are easier to fix.
• Plan big goals like buying a house or children’s education.
• Make sure interest is credited correctly every year.
• Avoid problems at the time of withdrawal or retirement.

If you notice that contributions are missing for several months, first speak to your employer. If the issue is not resolved, you can file a complaint on the EPFiGMS grievance portal.

Safety Tips: Avoid PF Frauds

Fraudsters often call people pretending to be EPFO officials. Follow these rules to stay safe:

• EPFO does not ask for your login details, one-time codes or bank details over phone calls, SMS or social media.
• Use only official websites ending in epfindia.gov.in or the UMANG app.
• Don’t pay anyone who promises to “speed up” your claim.
• Report cyber fraud at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930.

For more money-saving guides, read how to check CIBIL score for free and how to use UPI Lite for small payments. You can find more finance articles in our Finance section.

How to Link Aadhaar and Bank Account With Your UAN

KYC seeding is required for most services, including the missed call and SMS options. If KYC is not complete, follow these steps on the EPFO member portal:

1. Log in to the EPFO Member Portal with your UAN.
2. Click Manage and select KYC.
3. Choose the document you want to add, such as Aadhaar, PAN or bank account.
4. Enter the document number and your name exactly as printed on the document.
5. Click Save. The request goes to your employer for approval.
6. Once your employer approves, the status changes to “Digitally Approved by Employer”.

For bank accounts, make sure the IFSC code and account number are correct. Wrong bank details are one of the main reasons for rejected claims later.

How to Transfer Your Old PF Account Online

When you change jobs, your UAN stays the same, but a new Member ID is created with the new employer. To combine your old and new balances, transfer the old account online:

1. Log in to the member portal and go to Online Services.
2. Select One Member – One EPF Account (Transfer Request).
3. Check your personal details and the details of your present employer.
4. Choose whether your current or previous employer will attest the claim.
5. Select the old Member ID from the list.
6. Verify with the OTP sent to your mobile number and submit.

After your employer approves the request, EPFO processes the transfer. You can check the status under “Track Claim Status”. Once completed, the transferred amount appears in your new passbook as a “Transfer In” entry.

EPF, EPS and VPF: What Is the Difference?

When you check PF balance, you may see references to EPF, EPS and sometimes VPF. Here is a simple comparison:

Scheme	Who contributes	Main purpose	Shown in PF balance?
EPF	Employee and employer	Retirement savings with interest	Yes
EPS	Employer only (part of share)	Monthly pension after retirement	Shown separately
VPF	Employee only (voluntary)	Extra savings at EPF interest rate	Yes, with EPF

The Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF) lets you contribute more than 12% of your basic salary. It earns the same interest as EPF, which makes it a popular low-risk savings option for salaried people. You can start VPF by asking your employer’s payroll team.

When Can You Withdraw Your PF Balance?

EPF is meant for retirement, but partial withdrawals are allowed for specific needs. Common reasons include:

• Medical treatment for yourself or family members
• Marriage or higher education of yourself, children or siblings
• Buying or constructing a house, or repaying a home loan
• Unemployment for more than one month after leaving a job

Rules, limits and minimum service periods vary by reason, and EPFO updates them from time to time. Always check the latest rules on the official EPFO website before applying. Online claims can be filed through the member portal or the UMANG app once your KYC is complete.

Tax Rules on PF Balance in Brief

In most cases, EPF withdrawals after five years of continuous service are tax-free. If you withdraw before completing five years, the amount may be taxable and TDS may apply. Interest earned on employee contributions above ₹2.5 lakh a year (₹5 lakh where there is no employer contribution) is also taxable. For personal tax advice, speak to a qualified tax professional.

Best Method to Check PF Balance: Our Recommendation

If you just want a quick number, the missed call service is the easiest option because it works on any phone and needs no internet. If you want to verify every monthly deposit, the EPFO passbook portal is the best choice because it shows full entry-wise details. The UMANG app is ideal if you prefer to manage everything from your smartphone, including claims and transfers. For most salaried employees, we suggest a simple routine: use the missed call service every month for a quick check, and download the full passbook every three to six months to review contributions, interest and transfers in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the missed call number to check PF balance?

Give a missed call to 9966044425 from your registered mobile number. You will get your PF balance by SMS.

What is the SMS number to check PF balance?

Send EPFOHO UAN ENG to 7738299899. Replace ENG with your language code, such as MAL for Malayalam or HIN for Hindi.

Can I check PF balance without UAN?

Yes. The missed call service works with your registered mobile number, provided your UAN is active and KYC is seeded.

Why is my PF balance not updated?

Your employer may not have filed the latest contribution, or yearly interest may not be credited yet. Check your passbook after a few days.

Is it free to check PF balance?

Yes. All official methods, including missed call, SMS, the EPFO passbook portal and UMANG app, are free.

How often is interest added to my PF account?

Interest is calculated monthly but credited to your account once a year after the rate is notified.

Conclusion

It’s now very easy to check PF balance from anywhere. For a quick update, use the missed call number 9966044425 or send an SMS to 7738299899. For full details, log in to the EPFO passbook portal or use the UMANG app. Keep your UAN active and KYC updated, check your balance every few months, and your retirement savings will stay safe and on track.