EPF or PF Withdrawal Rules 2025

Your Provident Fund (PF) isn't just a retirement corpus—it’s a financial safety net you can tap into during life’s bigger or tougher moments. Whether you're switching jobs, repaying a home loan, or dealing with a medical emergency, the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) allows for partial or full withdrawals under specific conditions.

But before you consider dipping into your savings, it’s crucial to understand the latest EPF withdrawal rules for 2025. This guide outlines when and how you can withdraw from your PF, the documents you need, tax implications, and smart ways to reinvest the withdrawn funds—like in a Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit with up to 7.30% p.a. returns. Open FD account. 

Key Changes in the EPF Withdrawal Rules Include

Key updates include:

• Members can now withdraw up to 100% of their EPF balance, covering both employee and employer contributions.
• Education-related withdrawals are now permitted up to 10 times, and marriage-related withdrawals up to five times — previously, the combined limit was three.
• The minimum service period required for any partial withdrawal has been reduced to 12 months.
• Under special circumstances, members are no longer required to specify reasons for withdrawal.
• The EPFO now mandates that at least 25% of the total balance must remain in the account. This ensures members continue earning the 8.25% annual interest and steadily grow their retirement corpus.

EPF: Employee Provident Fund

EPF is a government-mandated savings scheme for salaried employees in India. Both employers and employees contribute a percentage of the employee’s salary (12% each) to the EPF account every month. The accumulated corpus earns interest and can be withdrawn under specific conditions.

PF: Provident Fund

PF is a broader term encompassing various provident fund schemes, including EPF, Public Provident Fund (PPF), and Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF). These schemes aim to encourage individuals to save systematically for retirement or other financial needs.

By parking your withdrawn EPF or PF corpus in a Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit, you can ensure consistent growth with flexible tenures ranging from 12 to 60 months. Open FD and earn up to 7.30% p.a. returns.

Here are some key rules to remember when withdrawing from your Employee Provident Fund (EPF):

1. Employment Status

Under the new EPFO rules, members can now withdraw up to 100% of their eligible EPF balance, including both employee and employer contributions. This marks a significant change from the earlier rules, where full withdrawal was not allowed while still employed.

Partial withdrawals are also more flexible and liberalised for specific purposes such as medical treatment, higher education, marriage, housing, and other special circumstances. The changes, approved by the EPFO’s Central Board of Trustees on October 13, 2025, aim to simplify the withdrawal process and enhance ease of access for over seven crore subscribers.

2. Unemployment

If you’ve been unemployed for at least one month, you can withdraw up to 75% of your EPF balance.
If your unemployment continues for two months or more, you become eligible to withdraw the entire balance.

3. Tax Deduction (TDS)

TDS rules on EPF withdrawals depend on your service duration, withdrawal amount, and documentation:

• No TDS will be deducted if:
  • You have completed 5 years of continuous service
  • The withdrawal amount is less than Rs. 30,000
  • The withdrawal is due to ill health, business closure, project completion, or reasons beyond your control
  • You submit Form 15G or 15H along with PAN, even if withdrawing Rs. 30,000 or more (with less than 5 years of service)
• TDS will be deducted in the following cases:
  • Withdrawal is Rs. 30,000 or more, service is less than 5 years, and:
  • 10% TDS if PAN is submitted but Form 15G/15H is not
  • 34.608% TDS if PAN is not submitted

4. Premature Withdrawal

If you withdraw your EPF corpus before completing 5 years of service, it may be taxable, and TDS may apply as per the rules above. Submitting Form 15G/15H (if eligible) can help avoid TDS.

5. PF Advances (Not Loans)

You can request partial advances from your EPF for specific reasons. These are not loans and have no repayment requirement.
Eligibility depends on the purpose:

• Medical emergencies: No minimum service required
• Marriage/Education: Minimum 7 years of service
• Home purchase/construction: Minimum 5 years of service

6. Job Changes

When you switch jobs, it is mandatory to transfer your existing PF balance to your new employer’s PF account.
You can initiate the transfer online through the EPFO portal using your Universal Account Number (UAN).

7. Full Withdrawal

You are allowed to withdraw your full EPF balance if:

• You have been unemployed for 2 months or more, or
• Your new job starts after a 2-month gap following your last working day

Recently unemployed? 

Instead of letting your PF withdrawal sit idle, invest in a Bajaj Finance FD and earn up to 7.30% p.a.—your money keeps working for you. Open FD. 

Simplified EPF Partial Withdrawal Rules — Key Highlights

To promote ease of living for EPF members, the partial withdrawal provisions have been simplified by consolidating 13 complex rules into a single, streamlined framework. The withdrawals are now grouped under three categories — Essential Needs (illness, education, marriage), Housing Needs, and Special Circumstances.

• Members can now withdraw up to 100% of the eligible EPF balance, including both employee and employer contributions.
• Withdrawal limits have been relaxed — education-related withdrawals are now allowed up to 10 times, and marriage-related withdrawals up to five times (earlier, the combined limit was three).
• The minimum service requirement for all partial withdrawals has been uniformly reduced to 12 months.
• The period for premature final settlement of EPF accounts has been extended from 2 months to 12 months, while the timeline for final pension withdrawal has been increased from 2 months to 36 months.

The EPFO stated that this simplification and flexibility, combined with zero documentation requirements, will enable 100% automated claim settlements for partial withdrawals — ensuring greater convenience and efficiency for members.

To withdraw EPF or PF, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen or a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) with an EPF account.
• Employment Status: Withdrawal rules depend on whether you are employed, retired, or unemployed.
• Documents: Provide the necessary documents, such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, and bank account details.

While confirming your eligibility, consider investing your withdrawn corpus in a Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit. With flexible tenures and assured returns, Bajaj Finance FDs are an excellent option for secure growth. Check eligibility and invest now.

Forms Required for EPF Withdrawal

To initiate an EPF withdrawal, the following forms are used based on your withdrawal purpose:

• Form 19 – For final settlement of EPF corpus (i.e. full withdrawal after retirement, resignation, or unemployment).
• Form 10C – For withdrawal of pension benefits under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS).
• Form 31 – For partial withdrawals or non-refundable advances for purposes like marriage, education, medical treatment, home loan repayment, or house construction.

These forms are available online through the Unified Member Portal.

Step-by-Step Online Withdrawal Process

You can easily withdraw EPF online by following these steps:

1. Log in to the EPFO Unified Member Portal using your UAN and password.
2. Go to the ‘Online Services’ tab and select ‘Claim (Form-31, 19 & 10C)’.
3. Enter the last 4 digits of your bank account and verify.
4. Select the type of withdrawal (final, partial, or pension).
5. Upload Form 15G/15H (if applicable) to avoid TDS, and other supporting documents if prompted.
6. Submit the claim. You’ll receive an SMS on claim status. It typically gets settled within 7–15 days.

Documents Required for EPF Withdrawal

Ensure the following documents are ready before submitting your online claim:

• Aadhaar linked with your UAN
• PAN Card (mandatory for TDS compliance)
• Bank account details (must match the one seeded with UAN)
• Form 15G or 15H (if applicable and eligible to avoid TDS)
• Employer certification (only for offline/manual claims or specific circumstances)

No physical documents are required for online withdrawal, but KYC must be complete.

1. Medical Emergencies

Withdraw up to 6 months’ salary or the total employee contribution (whichever is less) for treatments involving yourself or immediate family—no waiting period or minimum service required.

2. Repayment of Home Loan

Withdraw up to 90% of your EPF corpus after 3 years of continuous service—provided the house is registered in your name or jointly with your spouse.

3. Wedding Expenses

After 7 years of service, you can withdraw 50% of your contribution with interest for your own wedding or that of a child or sibling.

4. House Renovation

Withdraw up to 12 months’ salary after 5 years of service for renovation of a house held by you or jointly with your spouse.

5. Buying or Constructing a New House

Post 5 years of service, EPF allows a one-time withdrawal to help purchase or construct property, registered in your or joint name with your spouse.

6. Retirement (Age 58+)

You can withdraw up to 90% of your accumulated corpus to ensure a financially secure retirement.

Planning your golden years?

Invest your PF withdrawal in Bajaj Finance FD and enjoy high, fixed returns of up to 7.30% p.a.—perfect for a stress-free retirement. Invest now.

Your PF isn’t just for retirement—it's a financial ally during job changes, medical needs, or life milestones. But withdrawing funds without understanding the rules or tax implications can cost you in the long run.
 

Once withdrawn, your money will continue to grow. A Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit is a smart way to park your funds securely and earn stable returns. Whether you're preparing for retirement or saving for future expenses, reinvest wisely. Check eligibility.