EPFO Members Alert: Know Your PF Account Balance in Simple Steps

by Jobuza Team | Jun 30, 2026 | BLOG, Trending News

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) manages India’s provident fund and pension schemes, helping millions of salaried employees save for their retirement. Under the EPF scheme, both employees and employers contribute a fixed amount every month, and the accumulated amount is provided to employees after retirement or as per applicable withdrawal rules.

Employees can easily check their EPF account balance, contribution details, and claim status through multiple methods, including the EPFO website, UMANG app, and SMS service.

What is EPF and Who Can Open an EPF Account?

The EPF scheme is available for eligible salaried employees. Employees with a basic salary and dearness allowance (DA) of up to ₹15,000 per month are generally covered under the mandatory EPF scheme.

Employees whose basic salary and DA exceed ₹15,000 can also choose the Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF) option to increase their retirement savings.

Currently, EPF and VPF contributions provide an interest rate of 8.25%, helping employees grow their retirement corpus over time.

EPF Tax Benefits for Employees

EPF also provides tax benefits under certain conditions.

Under the old tax regime, employee contributions of up to ₹1.5 lakh per financial year are eligible for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Employer contributions up to 12% of salary (within the applicable limit) are eligible for tax benefits under both old and new tax regimes.

The interest earned on employee contributions is also tax-free up to the specified limit of ₹2.5 lakh per year. These benefits make EPF one of the most popular retirement savings options among salaried employees.

How to Check EPF Balance Online

EPFO members can check their provident fund balance and other account details through different methods. Users can access their EPF information using the official EPFO portal, UMANG application, or SMS facility.

Check EPF Balance Through SMS

EPFO members can check their PF balance instantly through SMS.

To check your balance, send:

EPFOHO UAN

from your registered mobile number to:

7738299899

After sending the SMS, you will receive your latest PF contribution details and available balance information.

The SMS service is available in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu.

Check EPF Balance Through UMANG App

The UMANG app allows users to access various government services, including EPFO services.

Follow these steps:

1. Download the UMANG app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Log in using your registered mobile number.
3. Search for EPFO services.
4. Select the Employee Centric Services option.
5. Choose the required service and enter your UAN details.
6. Verify your account using OTP.
7. After successful login, you can view your EPF account details and claim-related information.

Check EPF Balance Through EPFO Website

Employees can also check their PF details through the official EPFO website.

Steps to check EPF details:

1. Visit the official EPFO portal.
2. Click on the Services section.
3. Select For Employees from the available options.
4. Choose the option related to PF account services.
5. Enter your UAN, password, and captcha details.
6. After login, you can view your PF balance, contribution history, and other account details.

EPFO’s New E-PRAAPTI Portal: What Members Need to Know

EPFO is also planning to introduce a new digital platform called E-PRAAPTI to help members recover details related to old and inactive EPF accounts.

The portal aims to simplify the process of accessing accounts that have become inactive or where members may have difficulty locating their previous EPF details.

E-PRAAPTI stands for Employee Provident Fund Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts.

The platform is expected to reduce paperwork, improve transparency, and make it easier for EPF members to track and recover funds from old accounts.

In the initial phase, the portal will work through member ID-based access. Later, EPFO plans to expand its features to help members who may not remember their old account details.

How E-PRAAPTI Portal Will Help EPF Members

The new portal can provide several benefits to EPFO members, including:

• Easier access to old and inactive EPF accounts.
• Reduced paperwork and manual processes.
• Faster tracking of account-related information.
• Better transparency in EPF services.
• Improved access to retirement savings.

With these digital initiatives, EPFO aims to make provident fund services more convenient, secure, and accessible for employees across India.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. EPF rules, interest rates, and tax benefits may change according to government notifications. Users should verify the latest information from official sources or consult financial experts before making any financial decisions.

RBI’s New Rules Bring Relief, Customers Won’t Have to Pay Unnecessary Charges

by Jobuza Team | Jun 30, 2026 | BLOG, Trending News

RBI’s New Rules: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regularly introduces new guidelines to ensure better safety, transparency, and convenience for bank customers. In a recent move, the central bank has directed banks to stop practices that may mislead customers or force unwanted products and services on them.

The RBI has made it clear that banks and their representatives must follow transparent practices while interacting with customers. Any bank found violating these rules may face strict action.

RBI Issues New Guidelines for Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the “Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks) Second Amendment Directions, 2026” to improve customer protection and maintain transparency in banking services.

These new guidelines will apply to all commercial banks, including small finance banks, payment banks, regional rural banks, and local area banks.

The RBI guidelines will come into effect from January 1, 2027. Banks will get sufficient time to update their internal systems and ensure compliance with the new rules.

Key Changes Introduced by RBI for Banks

Under the new RBI guidelines, banks will have to follow several important rules to protect customers:

Banks must publish an updated list of all authorised Direct Selling Agents (DSAs) and Direct Marketing Agents (DMAs) on their official websites. Any changes in the list must be updated within seven days.

Bank employees, agents, and third-party representatives must have proper identification so customers can easily understand who they are dealing with.

Banks will need to take a written commitment from DSAs and DMAs confirming that they and their sub-agents will follow the bank’s Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct must also be displayed clearly on the bank’s website so customers can access and understand their rights.

Agents or representatives can contact customers only between 9 AM and 7 PM. They cannot approach customers at their home or workplace without permission.

Third-party representatives cannot pretend to be bank employees or make false promises on behalf of the bank.

Why Did RBI Introduce These Rules?

The RBI took this step after observing several cases where customers were offered products or services without proper information or consent.

Many times, customers visit banks for basic queries but are later encouraged to purchase additional products such as insurance policies, investment schemes, or other financial services without fully understanding the terms.

Similar issues have also been reported in digital banking services, where unclear information or misleading options may result in customers signing up for unwanted products.

Through these new guidelines, the RBI aims to increase transparency and ensure that customers have complete control over their financial decisions.

How These RBI Rules Will Benefit Customers

The new RBI guidelines will help customers in several ways. They will be able to identify authorised bank representatives more easily and avoid falling victim to misleading offers.

Banks will also become more accountable for the actions of their agents and third-party representatives. This will reduce unwanted calls, false claims, and pressure-selling practices.

With stricter monitoring and clearer rules, customers can expect a safer and more transparent banking experience in the future.

Child Investment Plans 2026: Best Schemes to Secure Your Child’s Future, From PPF to SIP and SSY

by Jobuza Team | Jun 16, 2026 | BLOG, Trending News

Every parent wants to build a strong financial foundation for their child’s future. Whether it is higher education, studying abroad, marriage expenses, or other important goals, having a proper investment plan can help manage future financial requirements.

However, with rising inflation, simply saving money may not be enough. The cost of education and other major expenses increases significantly over time. For example, an education expense of ₹10 lakh today could increase to ₹25-30 lakh after 15-20 years.

This is why financial experts suggest starting investments early. Starting at a young age allows parents to benefit from the power of compounding and build a larger corpus over a long period.

Many parents often get confused while choosing the right investment option.

Should you choose PPF for safety?

Can SIP provide better long-term returns?

Is NPS Vatsalya suitable for children?

Is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana the best option for daughters?

The answer depends on your financial goals, investment period, and risk-taking ability.

Best Investment Options for Your Child’s Future

There is no single investment scheme that suits every family. Some schemes provide guaranteed returns and safety, while others focus on higher growth through market-linked investments.

For parents looking for safe investment options, schemes like Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) are popular choices.

For higher returns and long-term wealth creation, equity mutual fund SIPs and ELSS can be considered.

Let’s understand the top child investment schemes in detail.

1. Public Provident Fund (PPF): Best Option for Safe Long-Term Savings

The Public Provident Fund (PPF) has been one of the most trusted investment schemes among Indian families for decades.

It is a government-backed savings scheme that provides guaranteed returns with very low risk. PPF is suitable for parents who want a secure investment option for their child’s future.

Key Benefits of PPF

Why Choose PPF?

• Safe and reliable investment option
• Benefit of long-term compounding
• Suitable for education and future financial needs
• Government-supported scheme

PPF is ideal for parents who prefer stability over high returns.

2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): Best Investment Plan for Daughter’s Future

For parents with a daughter, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is one of the most attractive government savings schemes.

The scheme is designed specifically for the financial security of a girl child and can help create a fund for higher education or marriage expenses.

Benefits of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Why Invest in SSY?

• Higher interest rate compared to many traditional schemes
• Safe government-backed investment
• Helps create a dedicated fund for daughters
• Suitable for long-term financial planning

3. National Savings Certificate (NSC): Suitable for Medium-Term Goals

National Savings Certificate (NSC) is another safe investment option offered through post offices.

It is useful for parents who need funds for medium-term goals such as school expenses, coaching fees, or other financial requirements within five years.

Features of NSC

When Can NSC Be Useful?

If your child is currently 10-12 years old and you need money after a few years for education-related expenses, NSC can be a practical option.

4. Equity Mutual Fund SIP: For Higher Long-Term Growth

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in equity mutual funds is considered one of the best options for long-term wealth creation.

Unlike fixed-return schemes, SIP investments are linked to market performance. They carry higher risk but can provide better returns over long periods.

For example:

If a parent invests ₹10,000 every month through SIP for 18 years and earns an average return of 15% annually, the investment could potentially grow to around ₹1 crore.

However, market-linked returns are not guaranteed.

Benefits of SIP

• Higher growth potential
• Helps beat inflation in the long term
• Flexible investment amount
• Suitable for education and wealth creation goals

5. ELSS Mutual Fund: Investment With Tax Benefits

Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) is a tax-saving mutual fund option that provides equity market exposure.

It is suitable for parents who want investment growth along with tax benefits under Section 80C in the old tax regime.

Benefits of ELSS

• Short lock-in period of 3 years
• Equity-based growth opportunity
• Tax-saving option

However, returns depend on market performance.

6. NPS Vatsalya: Long-Term Investment for Children

NPS Vatsalya is a government-backed pension-style investment scheme designed specifically for children.

It allows parents or guardians to invest regularly and build a long-term financial corpus.

Benefits of NPS Vatsalya

• Long-term wealth creation
• Disciplined investment habit
• Benefit of compounding
• Suitable for 15-20 year investment periods

It can be considered by parents who want a structured long-term investment approach.

7. Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB): Gold Investment for Diversification

Sovereign Gold Bond is a government-backed way to invest in gold without purchasing physical gold.

It can be used as a diversification option in a child’s investment portfolio.

Advantages of SGB

• No need to store physical gold
• Additional interest benefit
• Protection against inflation
• Maturity benefits

However, gold should generally not be the only investment option for your child’s future.

8. Child ULIP: Investment Along With Insurance Cover

Child ULIP plans combine insurance protection with market-linked investment.

A part of the premium provides life insurance coverage, while the remaining amount is invested in equity or debt funds.

Benefits of Child ULIP

Advantages of Child ULIP

• Provides insurance protection
• Helps create long-term savings
• Offers fund switching options
• Future premiums may continue through waiver benefits in some plans

Disadvantages of Child ULIP

• Different charges may apply
• Returns are not guaranteed
• Lower liquidity due to lock-in period

Comparison of Best Child Investment Plans

Which Child Investment Plan Should Parents Choose?

The right investment option depends on your financial goals.

For parents who want complete safety:

PPF, SSY, and NSC are suitable choices.

For parents looking for higher wealth creation:

SIP and ELSS can provide better growth potential over the long term.

For parents wanting a combination of insurance and investment:

Child ULIP can be considered after understanding charges and benefits.

A balanced approach of combining safe investments with growth-oriented options can help build a stronger financial future.

Final Words

Planning for your child’s future requires starting early and investing consistently. The biggest advantage parents have is time, as long-term investments benefit from compounding.

Whether you invest ₹500 per month or ₹5,000 per month, starting early can make a significant difference.

Schemes like PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, SIP, ELSS, NPS Vatsalya, and other investment options serve different purposes. The best choice depends on your child’s goals, investment duration, and your risk preference.