Does this check the final file accepted by the EPFO portal?

No. It checks a payroll source spreadsheet for UAN and wage data issues. EPFO says its revised ECR is UAN-based, but the current field order and upload rules are in the ECR Help File on the employer portal. Use that file to prepare and verify the final upload.

What columns does the source sheet need?

Include a column headed UAN and a column for EPF Wages. The checker also reads an EPS Wages column if present. Header labels can use common variants such as Universal Account Number, PF Wage or Pension Wages.

Which problems does this preflight flag?

It reports a missing or malformed 12-digit UAN, repeated UANs, and blank, non-numeric or negative EPF wage values. It does not decide whether a wage figure or contribution is legally correct.

Is the spreadsheet uploaded to GHR?

No. The browser reads the CSV or Excel file locally, and the checker does not send the contents to the site's server. The downloadable issue report contains row numbers and messages, not the UAN values.

Can a repeated UAN be correct?

A UAN can relate to multiple employments over time, but a repeated UAN in one monthly source sheet needs review. Check whether the rows are duplicate entries, separate wage lines or a legitimate payroll structure before preparing the ECR.

Does a clean result mean EPFO will accept the return?

No. A clean result means only that the source sheet passed these limited checks. It does not test EPFO's live format, member eligibility, contribution arithmetic, portal rules or establishment-specific instructions.

EPF ECR UAN payroll preflight

Check a payroll source sheet for UAN and PF wage issues before preparing a return. The file is read in your browser and is not sent to GHR.

Rules last verified 2026-11-10

This is an information tool, not advice. It performs the arithmetic and the screening you see below on the information you give it. It does not decide whether a position is lawful, compliant or correct, it is not a substitute for professional advice, and GHR assumes no duty of care to you in respect of it.

Your file stays in this browser. The checker reads a CSV or Excel source sheet locally and does not send it to GHR.

Choose a payroll source sheet

Required headers: UAN and EPF Wages. An EPS Wages column is optional. Up to 10 MB and 5,000 employee rows.

Choose a CSV or .xlsx fileNo UAN values are shown in the results

What this preflight checks

It checks a payroll source spreadsheet for a UAN column, a PF wage column, missing or malformed 12-digit UANs, repeated UANs, and invalid wage entries. It shows row numbers and can export a findings report without including UAN values.

A clean result only means these selected checks passed. It does not calculate dues, inspect every employee rule or predict whether EPFO will accept a return.

Use the live ECR Help File for the actual upload

EPFO's employer portal says the revised ECR uses UAN without the former Member ID. The exact current upload field order and validations are provided in the portal's ECR Help File. This preflight reads a source payroll spreadsheet and does not parse the official upload file.

The archived error decoder on this site covers documents from 2012 to 2013. Read it only as a historical reference and follow the live portal instructions when preparing a current return.

Payroll data stays in your browser

The selected file is parsed locally in this browser. The results retain only row numbers, counts and issue messages; they do not display UANs or employee names. The issue report contains row numbers and messages only.

Questions people actually ask

Does this check the final file accepted by the EPFO portal?: No. It checks a payroll source spreadsheet for UAN and wage data issues. EPFO says its revised ECR is UAN-based, but the current field order and upload rules are in the ECR Help File on the employer portal. Use that file to prepare and verify the final upload.
What columns does the source sheet need?: Include a column headed UAN and a column for EPF Wages. The checker also reads an EPS Wages column if present. Header labels can use common variants such as Universal Account Number, PF Wage or Pension Wages.
Which problems does this preflight flag?: It reports a missing or malformed 12-digit UAN, repeated UANs, and blank, non-numeric or negative EPF wage values. It does not decide whether a wage figure or contribution is legally correct.
Is the spreadsheet uploaded to GHR?: No. The browser reads the CSV or Excel file locally, and the checker does not send the contents to the site's server. The downloadable issue report contains row numbers and messages, not the UAN values.
Can a repeated UAN be correct?: A UAN can relate to multiple employments over time, but a repeated UAN in one monthly source sheet needs review. Check whether the rows are duplicate entries, separate wage lines or a legitimate payroll structure before preparing the ECR.
Does a clean result mean EPFO will accept the return?: No. A clean result means only that the source sheet passed these limited checks. It does not test EPFO's live format, member eligibility, contribution arithmetic, portal rules or establishment-specific instructions.

Sources

EPFO Unified Employer Portal: EPFO states that the revised ECR is UAN-based and no longer uses the erstwhile Member ID. Its current ECR Help File on the portal governs the final upload format. https://unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in/epfo/
EPFO ECR 2.0 process flow: Process overview. It directs employers to the portal's ECR Help File for the current file format. https://unifiedportal.epfindia.gov.in/site_docs/PDFs/EPFOUnifiedPortal/ProcessFlow_ECR2.0.pdf

Where an official source could not be retrieved or read, this page says so instead of citing a substitute. A figure whose citation cannot be produced is a figure this site will not publish.

Ask GHR about an ECR discrepancy

GHR can review source payroll records against EPFO return data for Kerala establishments after a secure document-sharing route is agreed.

Ask GHR about an ECR discrepancy All GHR tools

Important: please read before relying on this

This tool is a self-help information tool. It is not legal, tax, accounting, payroll or other professional advice, and it is not an opinion of any kind. GHR Consultancy is not acting for you, and no adviser, client, fiduciary or other professional relationship is created by using it.

The tool and everything it produces are provided as is and as available, without any representation, warranty or guarantee of any kind, express or implied, including as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, reliability, fitness for a particular purpose or freedom from error. GHR does not represent that the statutory position stated is current, complete, or applicable to your establishment.

The output is not a compliance certificate, clearance, approval, verification, audit or determination of any kind. It must not be relied upon and must not be used as a substitute for advice from a qualified professional. GHR assumes no duty of care to you or to any other person in respect of it. Any reliance you place on it is entirely at your own risk.

In particular, it does not:

validate the current EPFO upload file's complete field order, format or acceptance rules;
decide whether an employee is covered or whether the wages or contribution amounts are legally correct;
upload, transmit or store a payroll file; or
replace the employer portal's current ECR Help File or the establishment's own payroll review.

The position stated on this page is stated as at 2026-11-10. Statutory positions change, sometimes with retrospective effect, and GHR does not undertake to update this page. Do not assume it reflects the law at any later date.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, GHR Consultancy and its partners, employees and agents exclude all liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense of any kind, including indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, and any regulatory, statutory or contractual consequence, arising out of or in connection with the use of, or reliance on, this tool or anything it produces, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), statute or otherwise.

If you need a determination for your establishment, that is a separate professional engagement and the only basis on which GHR can advise you. Obtain professional advice before acting on anything shown here.

These terms are governed by the laws of India, and the courts at Kerala have exclusive jurisdiction.

Page last reviewed 2026-11-10. Sources, assumptions and scope are listed on this page. Core statutory rules are also held with dated effective windows and notification references. See how the rules engine works.