EPFO Eases PF Transfers with Passbook Lite and Online Annexure K Access

For many employees, switching jobs has often meant navigating a frustrating and time-consuming process to transfer their provident fund (PF) balance. The biggest hurdle was Annexure K, a transfer certificate that employees had to secure from their previous PF office. Delays in issuing this document forced workers to chase HR departments or wait weeks before their funds could move.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has now rolled out two major reforms designed to make PF transfers faster and more transparent.

Passbook Lite for Easy Tracking

The first reform is the launch of Passbook Lite, a simplified feature within the EPFO Member Sewa portal. This tool allows employees to quickly check their PF contributions, withdrawals, and balance—without juggling multiple logins. For many, it removes a common pain point of verifying whether employers are depositing contributions on time.

Annexure K Goes Digital

The more significant reform is the decision to make Annexure K available online. Members can now directly log into the portal and download the certificate themselves, eliminating the traditional paperwork delays.

For example, an employee moving from Bengaluru to Gurugram can now initiate a transfer instantly without relying on their previous employer’s HR team.

Impact on Workers

Experts believe this reform will especially benefit India’s young and mobile workforce, where frequent job changes often lead to multiple inactive PF accounts. These dormant accounts complicate withdrawals and add to the growing pool of unclaimed PF funds.

By providing direct digital access, the EPFO has reduced bureaucratic hurdles and improved transparency. Employees can now:

• Track PF transfers in real time.

• Maintain a permanent digital service history record.

• Minimize disputes during pension calculations.

For those nearing retirement, this change ensures their service years are accurately credited, reducing last-minute complications.

A Step Toward Trust and Transparency

Together, Passbook Lite and online Annexure K mark a significant move toward making PF transfers a smooth, online process. Officials believe these reforms will boost user satisfaction and restore greater trust in the system.

For job changers, PF transfers may finally transform from a dreaded bureaucratic task into a simple digital transaction.