The Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has made significant progress in crediting the annual 8.25% interest for financial year 2024-25, with 96.51% of member accounts already receiving their payments. This marks a notably faster timeline compared to previous years, bringing welcome news to millions of working professionals across India.
Interest Crediting Process Nearly Complete
According to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the EPFO will complete crediting interest to all remaining accounts by the end of this week. The organization has successfully updated 32.39 crore member accounts across 13.86 lakh establishments as of July 8, 2025.
“This year, the annual account updation had to be done for 13.88 lakh establishments having 33.56 crore member accounts,” Mandaviya stated. The completion rate stands at 99.9% for establishments and 96.51% for member accounts.
The government approved the 8.25% interest rate on May 22, 2025, maintaining the same rate as the previous financial year. The EPFO began its preparatory work immediately and started the annual account updation process on June 6, 2025.
Significant Timeline Improvement
This year’s process represents a major acceleration compared to previous years. In 2023-24, the interest crediting process began in August and continued through December. The optimized system has allowed the EPFO to complete most of the work within June itself.
The decision to retain the 8.25% interest rate was made during the 237th meeting of EPFO’s Central Board of Trustees on February 28, 2025, chaired by Minister Mandaviya. The proposal was subsequently approved by the Ministry of Finance.
How EPF Interest Rates Have Evolved
The current 8.25% rate represents a slight increase from recent years:
- 2024-25: 8.25% (current year)
- 2023-24: 8.25%
- 2022-23: 8.15%
- 2021-22: 8.1% (lowest in over four decades)
- 2020-21: 8.5%
The 8.1% rate in 2021-22 marked the lowest interest rate since 1977-78, when it stood at 8%. The EPF continues to offer relatively stable returns compared to other fixed-income instruments, helping ensure steady growth for retirement savings.
Five Ways to Check Your EPF Balance
With interest credits rolling out this week, here are five simple methods to verify your updated balance:
1. EPFO Portal
Visit the official EPFO website and navigate to “Our Services” → “For Employees” → “Member Passbook.” Log in using your Universal Account Number (UAN) and password, then select your Member ID to view your account balance.
2. UMANG App
Download the UMANG mobile application and select “EPFO” from “All Services.” Under “Employee Centric Services,” click “View Passbook” to check your balance instantly.
3. Missed Call Service
This convenient service requires your mobile number to be registered with your UAN and KYC to be completed. Simply dial 9966044425 from your registered mobile number. The call will disconnect after two rings, and you’ll receive an SMS with your latest balance and contribution details.
4. SMS Service
Send a text message to 7738299899 in the format: EPFOHO UAN LAN. Replace “UAN” with your 12-digit Universal Account Number and “LAN” with your preferred language code (ENG for English, HIN for Hindi, etc.).
5. DigiLocker
Link your UAN with DigiLocker to access your PF balance and statements directly through the app or website.
What This Means for Your Retirement Planning
The EPF remains one of the most reliable retirement savings instruments for Indian employees. The 8.25% interest rate provides competitive returns compared to traditional fixed deposits and other conservative investment options.
For most employees, both the employee and employer contribute 12% of the basic salary to the EPF account. The interest is calculated on the monthly balance and credited annually, providing tax-free growth on your retirement corpus.
Checking Your Interest Credit
If you haven’t received your interest credit yet, don’t worry. The EPFO expects to complete all remaining accounts within this week. However, ensure your KYC details are updated and your mobile number is linked to your UAN for smooth processing.
To verify successful credit, look for the interest entry in your EPF passbook, which will show the 8.25% interest calculated on your balance as of March 31, 2025.
Taking Action This Week
The accelerated timeline for interest crediting demonstrates the EPFO’s commitment to improving member services. If you notice any discrepancies in your interest credit or face issues accessing your account, contact your employer’s HR department or reach out to the EPFO directly through their grievance portal.
With over 33 crore EPF accounts benefiting from this streamlined process, the early completion of interest crediting provides financial relief to millions of working professionals across India.
FAQs About EPFO Interest
1. How can I check my EPF balance?
A. You can check your EPF balance through the EPFO portal, UMANG app, SMS, or by giving a missed call to the designated EPFO number. Ensure your UAN is activated and linked with your Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account for seamless access.
2. What is the interest rate for FY25?
A. The EPFO has declared an interest rate of 8.25% for the financial year 2024-2025, which has now been credited to 96% of active EPF accounts.
3. Can I raise a grievance if my interest is not credited?
A. Yes, if your interest has not been credited, you can raise a grievance directly on the EPFO grievance portal. Make sure to provide all necessary details for prompt resolution.
4. By when will all accounts receive their interest?
A. EPFO stated that the majority of accounts, i.e., 96%, have already been credited, and the remaining accounts are expected to be completed shortly.
5. What should I do if there is a discrepancy in my EPF account?
A. If you notice any discrepancies in your EPF account, you should immediately contact EPFO via their portal, UMANG app, or helpline. Additionally, raising a formal grievance can help in resolving the issue efficiently.
For More Information Click HERE