Despite the digitization of the provident fund scheme, 2026, an RTI has revealed that more than Rs. 9,330 crore remains locked in 30.91 lakh inoperative EPF accounts across the country.
The EPF Scheme 2026, which came into effect on June 29 after being notified in the Gazette, replaces the 1952 EPF Scheme. It aims at simplifying provident fund rules and making the system more digital for the 8 crore active EPF subscribers.
The RTI response offers a glimpse into the volume of workers’ retirement savings that continue to remain unclaimed. According to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), as of March 31 this year, there were 30,91,862 inoperative EPF accounts holding an unclaimed balance of approximately Rs. 9,330 crore.
The latest RTI data shows a modest improvement over the previous financial year. The number of inoperative accounts declined by around 92,000, from 31.83 lakh on March 31 last year to 30.91 lakh this year. Despite this decline, the data underscores the scale of the problem, with nearly 31 lakh dormant accounts and thousands of crores of workers’ retirement savings still awaiting claims.
Reportedly, the RTI application also sought details of inactive accounts linked with Aadhaar, the amounts lying in such accounts, and the status of auto-settlement for these accounts. However, the EPFO declined to disclose the information, invoking Section 8(1)(e) of the RTI Act, which exempts information available to a public authority in a fiduciary relationship from disclosure.