UAN Password Reset

Forgot your EPFO password? Reset it online in minutes with Aadhaar OTP — plus fixes for a changed mobile number and a locked account.

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Resetting is a two-minute job when your Aadhaar mobile is current — and a longer story when it isn't. This covers both, plus the "account locked" case that sends people in circles.

The short version: Go to the EPFO member portal, click Forgot Password, enter your UAN, and verify with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile. Set a new password and you're back in. Everything below is detail and troubleshooting for when it isn't that simple.

A forgotten password is the most common reason people get locked out of their PF account — usually at the worst moment, when they're mid-way through a withdrawal or trying to check a balance. The good news is that EPFO's reset flow is self-service and doesn't involve your employer. The one dependency is your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, because that's where the verification OTP lands.

Reset Your UAN Password: Step by Step

  1. Open the login pageGo to the EPFO Member e-Sewa portal and find the login box on the right.
  2. Click "Forgot Password?"It's the link just below the sign-in fields.
  3. Enter your UANType your 12-digit UAN and the captcha, then continue. The captcha is case-sensitive and expires quickly, so enter it promptly.
  4. Confirm your mobile / AadhaarThe portal shows the mobile number on file. If prompted, enter your Aadhaar number so it can send the OTP to the linked mobile.
  5. Enter the OTPType the one-time code sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
  6. Set a new passwordCreate a strong password (details below), confirm it, and submit. You can log in immediately with the new one.
Password rules that trip people up: EPFO requires 7–20 characters with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one special character. Something like Pf@2026x passes. Reusing an old password or missing the special character is the usual reason the form rejects you.

What If Your Registered Mobile Number Has Changed?

This is where most resets stall. The OTP goes to the number linked with Aadhaar, not whatever number your employer originally entered. If you've switched SIMs and lost that number, the portal can't reach you.

The fix is off-portal: update your mobile number in Aadhaar at a UIDAI enrolment/update centre, wait for it to propagate, then run the reset again. There's no way around Aadhaar verification here — it's the same security layer that now governs activation and withdrawals.

"My Account Is Locked"

Two things commonly cause this, and they need different fixes:

CauseWhat to do
Too many failed login or OTP attemptsWait a while, then reset the password with Aadhaar OTP rather than guessing again
e-Nomination not filedEPFO can restrict claim access if you've logged in repeatedly without filing a nominee. Unlock, then go to Manage → e-Nomination and complete it
Never share this: Your OTP and password are yours alone. EPFO never calls to ask for them, and no genuine "helpdesk" will request remote access to your phone. If someone does, it's a scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not directly — the OTP goes to your Aadhaar-linked number. If it's changed, update your mobile with UIDAI first, then reset.
7–20 characters with an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a number and a special character.
No. Password reset is fully self-service through Aadhaar OTP.
Yes — you can manage login and reset through UMANG using the same Aadhaar-linked OTP verification.
As often as you like. It's good practice to change the temporary password you receive right after activation.

Related guides

Haven't activated your UAN yet? Start here → Link Aadhaar with UAN & fix mismatches → Withdraw your EPF online, step by step → Claim rejected? How to fix each reason →
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Om Prakash
EPFO finance expert with extensive experience in provident fund rules, pension schemes, and government-backed savings programs. Specialises in making EPFO processes clear for everyday employees.
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