Subscribers can now check their Employees' Provident Fund balance, review recent transactions, and download their PF passbooks directly through a newly launched WhatsApp service. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation introduced the feature via a chatbot to provide easier access to basic services without requiring visits to an office or the main website.
The official WhatsApp service allows users to check their latest PF balance, view details of their five most recent transactions, and download their EPF passbook. Additionally, the platform is designed to offer personalized guidance and assistance for members fulfilling requirements under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana.
To use the service, subscribers can save the dedicated EPFO WhatsApp number, +91 87964 41800, or scan a QR code provided by the organization. Sending a greeting opens a welcome message that prompts the user to select a preferred language. After choosing a language, users can select available options such as checking their balance or accessing passbook-related services.
Despite its official rollout, the WhatsApp service is currently experiencing operational difficulties. Testing shows that while initial greetings and language selections function properly, subsequent requests to check balances often trigger error messages stating that the system encountered an issue.
Social media users have also highlighted sluggish response times, with some waiting nearly an hour only for their requests to ultimately fail. It remains uncertain whether these technical glitches stem from high user traffic following the recent launch or underlying system problems, and the EPFO has not yet issued an explanation for the delays.