There are 4 different easy ways to check your Provident Fund balance online and offline. These methods are hassle-free and save time, money and effort spent visiting his nearest EPFO office or checking with his employer.
Check PF Balance through SMS
You can check PF balance by simply sending an SMS to EPFO’s special mobile number: 7738299899. The SMS you send should read like this <EPFOHO UAN ENG>. All letters need to be uppercase, if you want to check PF balance in English.
Subsequently, I will explain the format of this message further.
- The first six letters, EPFOHO remain the same for everyone.
- After single space, fill in your Universal Account Number or UAN.
- You have to key in the language in which you want to check PF balance by SMS after single space following the UAN number.
- Use ENG if you want to inquire in English. For Hindi, use HIN, Marathi- MAR and so on.
- It is now possible check PF balance in English, Hindi, Kannada, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Bangla. EPF have added more languages.
You will receive an SMS message from EPFO indicating your latest PF balance.
To use this facility, there are some basic requirements.
- The PF account has to be linked with your Aadhaar card.
- Mobile number should be the same which you have given at the time of Aadhaar registration or updated later.
- Your mobile number should be recorded with EPFO and linked to your Provident Fund account.
- The facility to check PF balance by SMS cannot be used from any mobile number, even if you have the UAN. Hence, ensure you use the same number that is registered with EPFO.
- Repeated attempts to check PF balance by SMS using another mobile number will fail automatically.
- After several failed attempts, EPFO can temporarily block your SMS facility to check PF balance as a fraud prevention measure.
Remember, it can take several minutes or even a couple of hour for a response from EPFO indicating your PF balance. This depends upon traffic to the EPFO mobile number and PF balance check system. Sending repeated messages will only delay the response.
Check PF Balance through Missed Call
You can also check PF balance by giving a missed call to 011-22901406. Before utilizing the missed call facility to check PF balance, here are basic guidelines.
- The missed call should be made from the same mobile phone number that is recorded in your Provident Fund account by EPFO.
- Your Provident Fund account should be fully compliant with existing Know Your Customer regulations, meaning linked with your Aadhar card and PAN.
- The mobile number used to place the missed call should be same one registered with Unique Identification Development Authority of India (UIDAI) at the time of applying for Aadhar or updated and verified later.
- Missed call to 011-22901406 cannot be made from a landline telephone or any other mobile phone number.
- Never place repeated missed calls to this number: it can cause the facility to check PF balance being temporarily blocked as fraud prevention measure.
The call to 011-22901406 gets automatically disconnected. You will receive a SMS message after some time. At times, this SMS can take a few minutes or even a couple of hours to arrive on your mobile phone. This too depends upon traffic to EPFO’s balance enquiry systems.
Download UMANG App to Check PF Balance
UMANG means Unified Mobile Application for New Age Governance. It is a smartphone app that can be downloaded free.
This app is provided by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It is reliable and safe to use.
- Download UMANG app on your smartphone.
- Activate the app after providing necessary details.
- Go to the EPFO link provided on the app.
- Click on ‘Employee Centric Services’.
- You will find two options: “View Passbook” and “Raise Claim.”
- Opt for “View Passbook”.
- The app will ask for your UAN number
- Upon filling the UAN number, you will receive a One Time Password (OTP) through SMS on your mobile.
- Key in this OTP and view your e-passbook to check PF balance.
While using UMANG app too, you need to follow the same procedures. This means, your mobile number should be linked to the Provident Fund account.
It has to be the same number that reflects on your Aadhaar card and PAN details. This is vital to receive the OTP since EPFO system will send the SMS only on your registered mobile number.
Check PF Balance at EPFO Portal
If you do not have Aadhaar card, PAN or mobile number, it is still possible to check PF balance online. Access the EPFO portal from any computer.
- Visit the EPFO portal and click on ‘e-Passbook’ link that appears on right side of the page.
- Upon clicking this link, you have to submit your UAN.
- Next steps is to complete the Captcha code and submit.
The EPFO portal has the following instructions if you want to check PF balance.
- This facility is to view the e-passbook, PF subscribers have to be registered on the EPFO Unified Member Portal.
- E-Passbook will be available after six hours of registration at Unified Member Portal.
- Changes in the credentials at Unified Member Portal will be effective at this Portal after six hours.
- Passbook will have the entries which have been reuniting at the EPFO field offices.
- Passbook facility will not be available for exempted establishment members, settled members and inoperative members.
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.