EPFO’s New IT System: One Aadhaar, One UAN for Easy PF Account Identification
New Delhi, Special Correspondent: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is working to eliminate the issue of issuing two or more Universal Account Numbers (UANs) to a single employee. For this, a new IT system is being developed, ensuring that only one UAN is issued per Aadhaar number. As soon as an employee’s Aadhaar number is entered on the EPFO portal for registration, their existing record will appear. If a UAN already exists, no new number will be issued, and the PF account will remain active under the existing UAN. If no UAN is linked to the Aadhaar, a new number will be generated. This process will be fully implemented under the EPFO 3.0 system.
Errors Due to Incorrect Information: It has been observed in many cases that when an employee moves from an old company to a new one, they do not provide their previous UAN, or the new company does not ask for it. Such employees are registered as new members on the EPFO portal, prompting the IT system to issue a new UAN. This results in employees being allotted two or more UANs.
Option to Merge UANs: If an employee has two or more UANs, they have the option to merge them. According to EPFO rules, a person should have only one UAN at a time. As soon as you become aware of this, inform your employer or EPFO. You can send a response to EPFO mentioning your current and previous UANs. EPFO will verify this and deactivate the old UAN, keeping the current one active. Don’t forget to claim the transfer of your old, blocked EPF account to the new one.
Forgot Your Old UAN?: First, visit the EPFO website. Go to “Important Links” on the right side and click on “Know Your UAN.” Enter your registered mobile number and captcha code, then click “Request OTP.” Fill in your full name, date of birth, Aadhaar or PAN number, and captcha code, then click “Show My UAN.” Your UAN will appear on the screen.
Methods to Merge:
- Online: Visit https://www.epfindia.gov.in/. Log in with the UAN and password provided by your current employer. Go to the “Services” section and click on “For Employees.” A new page will open. Under “Online Services,” click on “One Member – One EPF Account (Transfer Request).” Enter the Member ID (to be merged) and UAN. Click “Get OTP,” enter the OTP received on your mobile, and verify it. Accept the declaration and click “Submit.” The request will be sent to your current employer. Once the employer approves it online, EPFO will merge your old UAN with the new account.
- Offline: Download Form-13 from the EPFO website and fill it out. Include details of the previous PF account’s UAN, Member ID, bank account number, IFSC code, and full address. Provide details of the second PF account as well. Get Form-13 signed and stamped by your current employer, then submit it to the nearest EPFO office.
If No UAN Exists: If the previous employer did not provide a UAN, the employee must contact them. Additionally, inform EPFO, which may seek a response from the old employer. Applications can be made online or offline.
Annual Exams for Classes 1-8 in Government Schools Begin March 10
Correspondent: The annual evaluation exams for students of Classes 1 to 8 in all government and government-aided primary schools in the state will commence on Monday, March 10. The exams, scheduled in two shifts, will run from 10 AM to 12 PM for the first shift and from 1 PM to 3 PM for the second shift. Conducted from March 10 to 12, the exams will resume on March 17 after the Holi break. During the exams, a minimum distance of two feet between two examinees in the classroom has been mandated. Students are instructed to bring pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and cardboards, with seating arranged in the front row. On March 29, parent-teacher meetings will be held across all primary and middle schools in the district to distribute result cards for students of Classes 1 to 8.
Academically weaker students have been asked to bring evaluated question-cum-answer booklets, pens, and geometry boxes to the exam room. Students can take these home. Under the Samagra Shiksha initiative for the academic year 2024-25, the exam schedule has been provided to students of all government and aided primary schools in the district. Question papers and answer booklets for Classes 3 to 8 have been made available at designated locations by the District Education Officer’s (DEO) office. The Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training, Patna, has directed the DEO, DPO of Primary Education, and Samagra Shiksha to ensure a clean and malpractice-free examination process.
First Day: Math and English Oral Exams: On the first day, students of Classes 1 to 8 in government and aided primary schools will appear for Mathematics in the first shift and English in the second shift. For Classes 1 and 2, these will be oral exams in both subjects. On the second day, March 11 (Tuesday), exams will be held only in the first shift.
Patna: 51,389 New Teachers Receive Appointment Letters, CM Nitish Says Education Budget to Increase
Patna, webdesk: At a ceremony held on Sunday at Gandhi Maidan, newly appointed teachers raised their hands to pledge to educate children, responding to an appeal by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The Chief Minister handed over appointment letters to 51,389 newly recruited teachers at Gandhi Maidan, stating that there are now 32 students per teacher. The education budget will be further increased. Addressing the teachers after the distribution, he noted that the state now has one teacher for every 32 students. The state government currently spends 22 percent of its annual budget on education.
Without naming them, the Chief Minister fiercely criticized the previous RJD government, calling it anti-women. He said the earlier regime did nothing for women. Before 2005, people wouldn’t step out after 5 PM, even in Patna, let alone other cities. Today, people roam the streets late at night.
2.53 Lakh Contract Teachers Now Government Employees: The Chief Minister said that due to a severe shortage of teachers in the past, large-scale recruitment of contract teachers began in 2006-07 through panchayats and municipal bodies, totaling about 3.68 lakh. Of these, 28,000 contract teachers passed the BPSC exam to become government teachers. For the remaining 3 lakh contract teachers, it was decided they wouldn’t need to take the BPSC exam; instead, they’d be given five opportunities through a separate exam to become government teachers. So far, two rounds of exams have been held—1.87 lakh passed the first competency phase, and 66 passed the second phase to become government teachers.
3,11,466 Teachers Appointed via BPSC: The Chief Minister said the total number of teachers appointed through BPSC will reach 3,11,466. Next month, 918 headmasters will receive appointment letters.
Teachers’ Reactions:
- Sushant Saroj (Class 11-12, Economics): “I’m very happy to receive my appointment letter. I’m from Supaul.”
- Nikhat Sultana (Class 9-10, Science): “It feels great to get the appointment letter. I’ll work to provide my students with the best science education.”
- Kunal Kumar (Class 6-8, Math-Science): “I’m thrilled to receive my appointment letter. I’ll teach in an innovative way.”
- Pooja (Class 9-10, Hindi): “I was eagerly awaiting this day. Today, I’ve reaped the rewards of my hard work.”
Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary: “No other CM in the country has recruited so many. CM Nitish Kumar has done historic work. He has announced 50 lakh government jobs and employment opportunities.”
Deputy CM Vijay Sinha: “Bihar’s future lies in the hands of teachers. A mother gives birth, but teachers provide real life to children.”
Water Resources Minister Vijay Choudhary: “The responsibility to advance the state lies with teachers. Newly appointed teachers must help take Bihar forward.”
Education Minister Sunil Kumar: “Bihar now has over 6 lakh teachers. I appeal to newly appointed teachers to provide value-based education.”
Bihar: 51,389 Teachers Under TRE-3 Get Appointment Letters, Ushering in New Era for Education
Patna, web desk: On Sunday, 51,389 teachers who cleared TRE-3 across Bihar’s 38 districts received appointment letters. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said teachers should provide quality education and contribute to the holistic development of children. He also announced an increase in the education budget. Bihar’s government schools now have 5,65,427 teachers. Through BPSC’s TRE-1, TRE-2, and TRE-3, 2,68,548 teachers have been appointed, while 42,198 headmasters have been recruited for various schools. Additionally, 2,53,961 contract teachers have become regular government teachers.
The Chief Minister said the government is running schemes for women’s upliftment. A large number of schools have been opened, and new classrooms have been built. Girls receive Rs 25,000 upon passing Class 12 and Rs 50,000 upon graduation, resulting in an almost equal number of boys and girls in schools.
Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary: “With teachers selected through BPSC, quality education is now ensured in Bihar. This year, the education budget has crossed Rs 60,000 crore. No other CM has done as much as CM Nitish Kumar.”
Deputy CM Vijay Sinha: “The education service is more accountable than any other government service, making the role of teachers special.”
Water Resources Minister Vijay Choudhary: “Appointments happened when their (RJD) education minister stopped coming to the education department office.”
Education Minister Sunil Kumar: “The state now has over 6 lakh teachers. I urge teachers to help make children better citizens.”
