The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued a circular outlining a simplified method for submitting Joint Declaration (JD) requests, which replaces the existing SOP Version 3.0 dated July 31, 2024.The EPFO intends to increase processing speed and accuracy by lowering paperwork and facilitating digital submissions using Digilocker. The revised process will ensure that even members in special circumstances such as deceased members or members of closed establishments can finish their declarations in paper form.
What is Joint Declaration?
According to the EPF circular July 31, 2024, “Joint Declaration is a joint request of Employees duly authenticated by the Employer for the modification/addition of the members` basic profile parameters.”
Here are changes according to the EPF circular issued on January 16, 2025.
Member Classification
Category A: UAN linked to Aadhaar (generated after 1-Oct-2017) – JD requests are filed online.
Category B: UAN linked to Aadhaar (generated before 1-Oct-2017, with validated Name, DOB, and Gender by UIDAI) – JD requests are filed online.
Category C: Members without Aadhaar validation, without UAN, or deceased members – JD requests are filed physically by the member/claimant.
Level at which change can be executed
In the context of EPF (Employees Provident Fund), “EE” stands for EE- Employee; ER- Employer, DA- Dealing Assistant, AO- Accounts Officer.
EE- Employee; ER -Employer/PRO; DA – Dealing Assistant; AO – Accounts Officer; APFC – Assistant PF Commissioner
In Category C, if the member ID is without a UAN, the system will check if there is any UAN associated with the given Aadhaar and link the Member ID with that UAN. If there is no UAN associated with the Aadhaar, a new UAN will be generated for the member ID.
How can members submit documents
- Members can use Digilocker (facility to be introduced soon) or upload documents as a single PDF
- Minimum of two documents are required unless using Digilocker (then only one document is needed).
- If employees are eligible and can execute the changes themselves, no documents are required.
Can employers file Joint Declaration requests?
If members cannot file JD requests online, employers may file them online, including cases of deceased members (physical JD must be uploaded).
How to submit JD in case of closed establishments?
Physical JD requests, attested by designated authorities along with relevant documents can be submitted to the PRO using the format specified.
How to submit JD in deceased members:
Physical JD requests can be signed by any eligible claimant. Note that details of Aadhaar matching is not required.
The EPF has recently made various changes in its rules to help members by simplifying the joint declaration process, implementing a Centralized Pension Payment System (CPPS), clarifying pension policies for higher wages, enabling online member profile updates, and easy PF transfers.
