New EPF Scheme 2026: Govt Revises Partial Withdrawal Rules, Introduces UPI & WhatsApp Services

New Delhi (IANS): The central government has notified the new Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 2026, introducing new provisions for partial withdrawals, which took effect on June 29.

Under the revised rules, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) now requires members to retain a minimum balance of 25% of their eligible member balance before making any partial withdrawal. The EPFO will calculate the final withdrawal amount only after setting this mandatory balance aside.

The 25% Minimum Balance Rule

This new minimum balance requirement applies to both employee and employer contributions.

Example: If an account holds an eligible balance of ₹1 lakh, the member must retain ₹25,000 in the account. This leaves a maximum of ₹75,000 available for withdrawal, subject to standard scheme rules.

The scheme strictly defines the “eligible member balance” as the total amount remaining after deducting this compulsory 25% minimum balance.

Expanded Reasons for Withdrawal

The new regulations expand the list of permissible reasons for partial withdrawals:

• Housing Needs: Members can withdraw funds to buy a house or flat, purchase a plot, construct a home, repay a housing loan, or fund home repairs and improvements.
• Life Events & Emergencies: The rules allow members to withdraw up to 100% of their eligible balance to cover expenses related to illness, education, and marriage.
• Relaxed Timelines: Subscribers can now make partial withdrawals after just 12 months of service. Furthermore, the EPFO no longer requires an additional explanation for withdrawals made under special circumstances.

Instant UPI Withdrawals and WhatsApp Services

In a major tech upgrade, the EPFO has completed testing for a new facility that allows subscribers to withdraw their provident fund savings directly into their bank accounts via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

This move aligns with the EPFO’s broader push to improve service delivery and simplify access to savings for over seven crore members.

Additionally, the EPFO plans to roll out member services through WhatsApp within the next month to boost outreach and fast-track grievance redressal.

• How it works: Subscribers can initiate a conversation by simply sending a “Hello” message to the EPFO’s verified WhatsApp number.
• Available features: Members can check PF balances, view their last five transactions, and track claim statuses.
• Language support: To improve accessibility and user comfort, the platform will offer communication in regional languages.