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Form 10C

What Is Form 10C?

Form 10C is an official document used by employees in India to state benefits under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995, which is part of the broader Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) framework. The form allows employees to withdraw the pension amount or apply for a scheme certificate after leaving their job, based on their eligibility and service duration.

It’s most commonly used by individuals who have less than 10 years of continuous service and are not eligible for full pension benefits under EPS.

Purpose of Form 10C

Form 10C allows employees

• Withdraw EPS contributions if their service is less than 10 years
• Apply for a Scheme Certificate if they have completed more than 9.5 years but are not yet eligible to receive a pension (before the age of 58)
• Maintain pension continuity in case of future employment by presenting the Scheme Certificate

This ensures that employees do not lose out on pension benefits if they change jobs or leave the workforce temporarily.

Who Should Fill Form 10C?

You should submit Form 10C if:

• You’ve left your job and have completed more than 6 months but less than 10 years of service
• You are not eligible for a monthly pension (which requires a minimum of 10 years of service)
• You’re opting for a Scheme Certificate to carry forward your pensionable service to your next employer
• You are a nominee or legal heir claiming the EPS benefits of a deceased member

If you’ve completed 10 or more years of eligible service, you cannot withdraw EPS funds through Form 10C but can apply for a monthly pension via Form 10D instead.

Key Sections of Form 10C

Form 10C collects details such as

• Personal information such as name, date of birth, marital status, etc.
• EPF account number and UAN
• Date of joining and leaving the job
• Reason for leaving service
• Previous employment details
• Bank account details for fund transfer
• Declaration and signature of the member

You can fill out the form online or offline, but the EPFO site is the fastest and most popular way to do so these days.

Documents Required

• UAN (Universal Account Number)
• Aadhaar card
• Bank passbook or cancelled cheque
• PAN card (if applicable for tax purposes)
• Date of exit updated by the employer in the EPF system
• Scheme Certificate (only for rejoining employees or nominees, if claiming)

How to Submit Form 10C

Online Method

1. Log in to the EPFO member portal using your UAN and password
2. Ensure Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details are verified
3. Go to ‘Online Services’ > ‘Claim (Form-31, 19, 10C & 10D)’
4. Choose Form 10C
5. Verify details and submit the claim online

Offline Method

• Download Form 10C from the official EPFO website
• You need to fill in the form manually
• Submit it at the regional EPFO office along with required documents

Timeline for Processing

• Claims are usually settled within 15 to 30 days from the date of submission
• You can track claim status online using your UAN