Form 31 — an advance while still working
The form for taking part of the PF without leaving the job. The account stays open and keeps earning.
Who files it: The member, while still in service.
Nothing on this page is a sample. Every line is taken from a real government order, and under each one sits the document, the clause inside it, and the date we read it. Open one and check us.
The situations it covers
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Essential needs: illness, education, marriage
The 2026 scheme folded thirteen old heads into three. This is the first. Education up to ten times, marriage up to five.
Source — consolidation into three categories
which had 13 separate categories of partial withdrawals with different eligibility conditions, has been consolidated into three broad categories
Livemint, EPFO eases partial withdrawal rules · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-18.
Named reporting or commentary
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Housing: buying, building, repairing, repaying a loan
The second head. Housing-loan repayment sits inside it.
Source — consolidation into three categories
which had 13 separate categories of partial withdrawals with different eligibility conditions, has been consolidated into three broad categories
Livemint, EPFO eases partial withdrawal rules · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-18.
Named reporting or commentary
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Special circumstances, including unemployment
The third head, and the most generous: up to twice in a financial year, with no reason assigned.
Source — advances under special circumstances
Such withdrawals are allowed up to two times in a financial year.
Economic Times, EPF withdrawal rules explained: how many times can you withdraw PF · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-18.
Named reporting or commentary
What you need
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Twelve months of membershipAlways
The 2026 scheme standardised almost every advance on this one condition.
Source — standardisation of the minimum membership requirement
the minimum membership requirement for most advance EPF withdrawals has been standardised at 12 months
Livemint, EPFO eases partial withdrawal rules · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-18.
Named reporting or commentary
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An activated UAN and a verified bank account on itAlways
A claim up to ₹5 lakh can settle automatically on the strength of this.
Source — answer (a) to (c), auto claim settlement enhancements
The auto claim limit was increased from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 Lakh in June 2025
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5827, Ministry of Labour and Employment · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-20.
A government document, read directly
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Your signature on the form, which is itself the declarationAlways
The EPFO order says a signed form is itself construed as self-certification. That is precisely why no separate papers are asked for.
Source — para 5, self-certification, 20.02.2017
duly signed by the EPF subscriber shall be construed as 'self-certification' for the above said partial withdrawals
EPFO order No. Manual/Amendment/2011, Central Provident Fund Commissioner · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-20.
A government document, read directly
What you do NOT need
These used to be demanded. They are not any more, and each one names the order that ended it.
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The housing declaration form and the utilisation certificate
Both discontinued in 2017. No document at all is required for a housing-related partial withdrawal.
Source — para 4(I), Para 68B, housing
No document would be required to be submitted by the subscriber in respect of these partial withdrawals
EPFO order No. Manual/Amendment/2011, Central Provident Fund Commissioner · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-20.
A government document, read directly
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The marriage card, or a fee receipt for education
Named in the order: no document, including the marriage card, is required.
Source — para 4(III), Para 68K, marriage and post-matriculation education
No document, including marriage card, would be required to be submitted by the subscribers
EPFO order No. Manual/Amendment/2011, Central Provident Fund Commissioner · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-20.
A government document, read directly
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Official proof of damage in a flood or other calamity
The member may self-certify that their property has been damaged.
Source — para 4(IV), Para 68L, abnormal conditions
Member may self-certify that his property has been damaged. No document would be required to be submitted
EPFO order No. Manual/Amendment/2011, Central Provident Fund Commissioner · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-20.
A government document, read directly
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Any proof that the factory has closed
No document is required for a lockout or closure of the factory either.
Source — para 4(II), Para 68H, lockout or closure of the factory
No document would be required to be submitted by the subscriber along with the Composite Claim Form
EPFO order No. Manual/Amendment/2011, Central Provident Fund Commissioner · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-20.
A government document, read directly
And these, only if something in your record turns out to be wrong 21 papers — open to see them
These come from the 37 rules that govern this form. A paper here is needed only if you actually have that particular defect, so there is nothing to collect in advance.
- Aadhaar card up to 9 rules can ask for this
- Bank passbook up to 8 rules can ask for this
- Cancelled cheque up to 6 rules can ask for this
- Passport up to 5 rules can ask for this
- Appointment letter up to 3 rules can ask for this
- Birth certificate up to 3 rules can ask for this
- Experience certificate up to 3 rules can ask for this
- Class 10 marksheet up to 3 rules can ask for this
- PAN card up to 3 rules can ask for this
- Form 16 up to 2 rules can ask for this
- Last month’s payslip up to 2 rules can ask for this
- Payslips for several months up to 2 rules can ask for this
- Relieving letter up to 2 rules can ask for this
- Bank statement one rule can ask for this
- Divorce decree one rule can ask for this
- Written undertaking from the employer one rule can ask for this
- First month’s payslip one rule can ask for this
- Form 15G one rule can ask for this
- Form 15H one rule can ask for this
- Marriage certificate one rule can ask for this
- UAN card one rule can ask for this
Worth knowing
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This speaks in superseded paragraph numbers
Everything in the "not needed" list above comes from EPFO's order of 20 February 2017. That order speaks in the paragraph numbers of the 1952 scheme, and the 2026 scheme replaced those numbers with three categories. We found no later order restating the document position under the new categories, so this is the last time it was set out plainly, and we are not hiding that.
Source — para 4(V), Paras 68J and 68N, certificates
Orders in respect of certificates under these paras will be issued separately
EPFO order No. Manual/Amendment/2011, Central Provident Fund Commissioner · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-20.
A government document, read directly
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In the current financial year 71.37% of advance claims settled in auto mode, with no officer approving them.
Source — answer (a) to (c), auto claim settlement enhancements
The auto claim limit was increased from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 Lakh in June 2025
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5827, Ministry of Labour and Employment · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-20.
A government document, read directly
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25% has to remain in the account afterwards, which is what puts the ceiling at 75%.
Source — EPF Scheme 2026, minimum balance
EPF subscribers must maintain 25% minimum balance in their EPF account at all times
Livemint, top reasons your EPF settlement claims could be rejected · Read the rule · We read this on 2026-08-18.
Named reporting or commentary