Last reviewed: 29 August 2026
PF loan or PF advance: what is the correct term?
The expression "PF loan" is commonly used, but EPFO generally describes Form 31 claims as an advance or withdrawal from the member's own Provident Fund account. Depending on the purpose and applicable conditions, a member may be permitted to withdraw part of the accumulated EPF balance.
Requirements for filing an EPF advance claim online
Before starting an online claim, make sure the details in the EPFO Member Portal are complete and correct. For Aadhaar-based online claim processing, EPFO uses UAN-linked identity, bank and OTP verification.
- Activated UANYour Universal Account Number should be active and accessible.
- Aadhaar linkageAadhaar should be linked with the UAN for Aadhaar-based online authentication.
- Registered mobileThe mobile number used for Aadhaar authentication should be available for OTP.
- Bank detailsYour bank account and IFSC recorded with EPFO should be correct.
- KYC detailsVerify that applicable KYC details in the member profile are accurate.
- Service detailsDate of joining, date of exit and other service information should be correct where relevant to the claim.
How to apply online for PF advance / partial withdrawal
- Visit the official EPFO Member e-Sewa Portal.
- Enter your UAN, password and the captcha shown on the screen, then sign in.
- Open Online Services and select the claim option. EPFO's online-claim guidance refers to Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D).
- Verify the bank-account information requested on the portal.
- Select Proceed for Online Claim.
- For a partial withdrawal, select PF Advance (Form 31) when that option is available for your account.
- Select the correct purpose of advance. Eligibility and the maximum admissible amount depend on the purpose selected.
- Enter the amount and other information requested by the portal. Upload the document or cheque image if the portal requires it for the selected claim.
- Request Aadhaar OTP and enter the OTP received on the Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Submit the claim and retain the claim reference for status tracking.
Common purposes for EPF advance / partial withdrawal
EPFO's current public guidance continues to recognise non-refundable advances for specified purposes. Examples include medical treatment, marriage, post-matriculation education, housing-related purposes, repayment of qualifying housing loans, certain unemployment situations and withdrawal shortly before retirement.
| Purpose | General EPFO position |
|---|---|
| Illness / medical treatment | Advance may be available for specified illness or medical circumstances, subject to the applicable scheme provision and conditions. |
| Marriage | EPFO lists marriage of the member and specified family members among recognised advance purposes. |
| Education | Post-matriculation education of son or daughter is among the purposes identified by EPFO. |
| House / flat / construction | Housing withdrawals are governed by specific provisions, including membership-period and amount limits. EPFO's Form 31 guidelines should be checked before filing. |
| Housing-loan repayment | A withdrawal may be allowed in eligible cases for repayment of qualifying housing loans under the relevant scheme provision. |
| Before retirement | EPFO states that up to 90% of the total PF balance may be withdrawn within one year before retirement, subject to applicable conditions. |
| Unemployment | EPFO's FAQ states that an advance of up to 75% of the total PF balance may be available on unemployment, subject to the applicable rules. |
Current legal position in 2026
The legal framework changed when the Code on Social Security, 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025. The Code consolidates social-security laws, including the earlier Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
Section 164 of the Code contains repeal-and-savings provisions. Among other things, it preserves actions already taken and provides transitional continuity for the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 and the Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 to the extent specified by the Code and until replaced or otherwise dealt with under the new framework.
As of this page's review date, EPFO continues to publish and operate member services with reference to the EPF Scheme, 1952, including Form 31 advances. Members should therefore follow the current EPFO portal, scheme provisions, notifications and claim instructions applicable on the date of filing.
Do all PF advance claims require five years of service?
No. The old page's broad statement that a member should have completed five years of continuous service for a home-loan-related withdrawal should not be treated as a universal rule for every PF advance. Different purposes have different conditions.
For example, EPFO's Form 31 guidelines prescribe purpose-specific membership periods and limits. Housing purchase or construction under certain provisions carries different conditions from medical, marriage, education, unemployment or pre-retirement withdrawals. Always check the rule corresponding to the purpose selected in your claim.
Official EPFO links
Frequently asked questions
Is PF advance a loan that I have to repay?
Form 31 is generally used for an advance or partial withdrawal from the member's provident fund accumulation for purposes permitted under the applicable scheme provisions. It should not be confused with an ordinary bank loan.
Which form is used for partial PF withdrawal?
EPFO identifies an advance / withdrawal through the Composite Claim Form, while the online Member Portal commonly presents partial withdrawal as PF Advance (Form 31).
Can every EPFO member withdraw PF for any reason?
No. Partial withdrawal is purpose-specific. The required membership period, maximum amount, supporting conditions and number of permitted withdrawals vary according to the relevant provision.
Can I file a claim through my mobile?
EPFO provides online and mobile-enabled member services. Availability can depend on the service and current portal or UMANG implementation. Use only official EPFO or UMANG services.
Which law applies to EPF withdrawals in 2026?
The Code on Social Security, 2020 is now in force. Its repeal-and-savings provisions preserve the existing EPF schemes during the statutory transition, and EPFO continues to administer Form 31 advances under the applicable scheme framework and current instructions.
Disclaimer: This page is an informational guide and is not an EPFO website. Eligibility and admissible amounts depend on current law, scheme provisions, member data and the purpose of withdrawal. Verify the current requirements on the official EPFO portal before submitting a claim.