The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has brought major relief to its crores of members. By July 15, the EPFO ​​will credit interest at a rate of 8.25% for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26) into the accounts of approximately 34 crore members. A total amount exceeding ₹1.44 lakh crore will be transferred to members' accounts under this initiative. This time, the interest crediting process will be auto-processed via the new CITES 2.01 system, making the operation faster and more transparent than before.

Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya stated that EPFO ​​field offices are verifying records before the interest transfer. Once the verification is complete, the funds will be credited directly to the members' accounts.

**New portal to offer multiple facilities**
According to Mandaviya, the EPFO's new CITES 2.01 member portal will provide a range of facilities. Members will be able to access information regarding their PF balance, claim status, pension records, and other essential services in one place. This eliminates the need to rely on multiple portals or procedures. Members will now spend less time accessing account details and claim-related information compared to the past.

**No more waiting months for interest**
Previously, EPFO ​​members had to wait until October or November to see the interest amount reflected in their accounts. However, the implementation of the new system has significantly accelerated the entire interest-crediting process. This will enable lakhs of employees to receive timely updates on their PF accounts.

**Rules for advance claims also simplified**
The EPFO ​​has also raised the auto-settlement limit for advance claims. Previously, eligible members who had completed their KYC could claim an advance of up to ₹1 lakh through auto-settlement; this limit has now been increased to ₹5 lakh.

Under the new system, the platform will automatically verify documents and information before the claim is even submitted. If there are any discrepancies, the member will be notified immediately. Additionally, members will be able to see the amount they are eligible to withdraw across different categories. This will reduce the likelihood of claim rejections and make the entire process easier and faster than before.