For the first time in its history, EPFO has credited 8.25% interest for the financial year 2025-26 to 34 crore member accounts by July 15, a significant departure from past practice. In previous years, the process stretched well into September or even November.
The early credit confirms Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's announcement that interest, amounting to roughly Rs 1.44 lakh crore, would reach accounts by mid-July through the organisation's new automated system.
The shift comes down to a significant technology overhaul. EPFO migrated 123 regional databases into a single centralised national database under its revamped IT system, known as the Centralised IT Enabled Services or CITES platform. Previously, each regional office maintained its own records, making verification and interest credit a lengthy, multi-stage process.
The interest rate for FY26 stays at 8.25%, unchanged from the previous two financial years. EPFO currently manages around Rs 32 lakh crore in assets across nearly 35 crore member accounts, of which roughly 8 crore are active contributing accounts.
For salaried employees, knowing how to check the update matters. The EPFO Member Passbook portal is the most direct option: log in with your UAN, password and captcha, verify the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile, and click "View Passbook" to see whether FY26 interest has been credited.
The UMANG app offers the same access on mobile: download the app, link your UAN, and view your passbook, contributions and transactions directly. For a quick check by SMS, send a message in the prescribed EPFO format to 7738299899; EPFO will send back your latest contribution details, available balance and KYC status, and the service is available in multiple Indian languages.
Alternatively, members can use EPFO's missed call facility; a call from the registered mobile number linked to your account returns the latest PF balance.
