The EPFO has announced that no further extensions will be granted for mandatory Aadhaar seeding and verification with the Universal Account Number (UAN) for filing Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR). This requirement, introduced on 1 June 2021, had received multiple extensions due to challenges faced by employers and employees, particularly in the North East Region and specific labour-intensive industries such as beedi-making, construction, and plantations including tea, coffee, rubber, jute, and others. The last relaxation permitted compliance until 31 October 2025. The EPFO observed that sufficient time—over four years—has been provided and that the remaining pendency is now minimal and steadily reducing. To avoid recurring dependency, the organisation has decided to discontinue any further relaxations. From the wage month of November 2025, ECR filing will be allowed only for members whose Aadhaar is properly seeded and verified with their UAN. All zonal and regional offices must intensify employer outreach immediately.
Employees Provident Fund Organisation
MINISTRY OF LABOUR EMPLOWENT GOVERNMENT OF INOIA
Head Office
Plate A Ground Block II East Kidwar Nagar New Delhi-110023
Website: www.epfindia.gov.in, www.epfindia.nic.in
No. Compliance/BKG-27/5/2021-BKG/e-38791 )/14066 Dated: 01 DEC 2025
To
All Additional Central P.F. Commissioners (Zones)
All Regional P.F. Commissioners / Officers-in-Charge of Regional Offices
Subject: Discontinuation of Extension of Timeline for Mandatory Aadhaar Seeding with UAN for Filing of ECR in respect of Establishments in the North East Region and Certain Classes of Establishments beyond 31.10.2025 — Reg.
References:
1. H.O. Circular No. BKG-27/7/2020-G/pt. V dated 01.06.2021
2. H.O. Circular No. WSU/15(1)2019/ATR/529 dated 15.06.2021
3. H.O. Circular No. BKG-27/5/2021-BKG dated 11.09.2021
4. H.O. Circular No. BKG-27/5/2021-BKG/E-38791/1 dated 01.04.2022
5. H.O. Circular No. BKG-27/5/2021-BKG-38791 dated 18.04.2023
6. H.O. Circular No. BKG-27/5/2021-BKG-38791 dated 05.06.2024
7. MoL&E Communications dated 07.01.2025 and 28.10.2025
Madam/Sir,
The mandatory requirement for filing Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) only for those members whose Aadhaar number is seeded and verified with their Universal Account Number (UAN) was introduced w.e.f. 01.06.2021.
Considering the implementation challenges initially faced by employers and employees, several extensions were provided through the cited circulars and Ministry of Labour & Employment communications. These relaxations specifically covered:
1. North East Region (NER): States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.
2. Specific Industries: Beedi-making, Building & Construction, and Plantation industries (including Tea, Coffee, Cardamom, Pepper, Jute, Rubber, Cinchona, Cashewnuts, etc.).
The most recent extension, granted vide MoL&E communication dated 28.10.2025, allowed the above categories time until 31.10.2025.
Over the past four years, adequate opportunities have been provided to complete Aadhaar-UAN seeding and verification. Current pendency is marginal and continues to decline steadily.
In view of the above, and to prevent further dependency on recurring extensions, it has been decided not to grant any further extension.
Therefore, it is hereby conveyed that the timeline for Aadhaar seeding and verification with UAN will not be extended beyond 31.10.2025.
All Zonal Offices (ZOs) and Regional Offices (ROs) are instructed to immediately commence intensive sensitisation and awareness drives targeting the concerned employers. Employers must be clearly informed that ECR filing for the wage month of November 2025 onwards will be permitted only for members whose Aadhaar is duly seeded and verified with UAN, without exception.
This issues with the approval of the Central Provident Fund Commissioner.
[P. B. Verma]
Addl. CPFC (Compliance)
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