21.55 lakh inoperative EPF accounts have average balance of around Rs 40,000: Check if your EPF money is also stuck; here's what you can do

Replying to a query in Rajya Sabha on Thursday (August 13, 2026), Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, shared some interesting data about inoperative Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) accounts from Financial Years 2020-21 to 2023-24. The figures showed a 84% jump in inoperative accounts, along with growing unsettled balance and a drop in settled amounts over the four years. Additionally, it was noted that the average amount per inoperative account has increased by 18% in four years, from Rs 33,513 in FY 20-21 to Rs 39,460 in FY 23-24. Let’s take a closer look at the data Karandlaje shared in the Parliament.

Inoperative EPF accounts increase