2 Factor Authentication made mandatory for EPFO employees email login

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has issued a circular making it mandatory for the EPFO employees to use 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) for login into the email under the domain @epfoindia.gov.in. The email service for the EPFO is provided by the National Informatics Centre under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

What is 2 Factor Authentication or 2FA for email?

2 Factor Authentication or the 2FA is an extra layer of security used to make sure that people trying to log in to an online account in addition to a password that is commonly used. The idea is to prevent unauthorised access to your email or account even if someone gets to know your password. One of the commonly used methods is the use of OTPs through SMS as we use it for banking transactions. Here the access is restricted to the person who knows the password and who has the access to SMS sent to the registered number.

How is 2 Factor Authentication or 2FA implemented for NIC email?

The 2 Factor Authentication for the email service provided by the NIC is done via Kavach App. The app is available to Windows OS and Android devices. The app has to be authenticated during installation with the OTP received on the registered device. During the login with the password, the user will receive a notification on his registered device which has to be tapped or clicked to accept the login.

ईपीएफओ, मुख्‍य कार्यालय
श्रम एवं रोजगार मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार
भविष्‍य निधि भवन, 14, भीकाजी कामा प्‍लेस, नई दिल्‍ली 110066
EPFO, HEAD OFFICE
MINISTY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYEMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAWAN
14, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI 110066
www.epfindia.gov.in

HO No.: NDC/IS/SW/72/email/chargeable/2020/873

Date: 17.12.2021

To,

OICs,
All Divisions Head Office/NOC/
All ZOs/ROs/ NATRSS /ms/DOS/Vigilance Directorate/Audit Wings.

Sub:- Mandatory activation of Multi-Factor Authentication-Reg.

Sir/Madam,

It is informed that, with immediate effect, installation of 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) has been made mandatory by NIC for using the email id on “@epfindia.gov.in” domain.

All users availing the email services from NIC (i.e. @epfindia.gov.in) need to use 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) to access their email account. Users will not be able to access their email through the Web Interface w.e.f. Thursday, 23rd Dec 2021 unless “Kavach App” is installed.

Therefore, all users are requested to install “Kavach App” on their access devices (phone/laptop/desktop) immediately.

Please ensure that the device in which the “Kavach Application” is installed should always be available with the user, as the user has to accept the notification received on the “Kavach Application” for enabling access to the email account.

Steps to download and install 2FA application “Kavach” is attached. The attached document gives the detailed step wise process for installing the “Kavach Application” on mobile/laptop and desktop.

This makes it very important that correct mobile number is linked with your email d. For changing the mobile number, you have to send an email from official email Id to web admin­ epfo@nic.in intimating your email Id, name, designation, date of retirement, and new mobile number. This mobile number should not be already linked with 2 email Ids.

A process for allowing your PA/PS to access your email is also given in the attached document. However, the PA/PS should be having email ID on @epfindia.gov.in domain which means that he/she should be an employee of the organizations.

Important points:-

1. Link correct mobile number with your email d.
2. You can allow maximum two employee to access your email.
3. With one mobile number maximum two email IDs are permitted.
4. With one email ds maximum three devices may be added.

Yours’ Faithfully,

(SANJAY KESARI)
REGIONAL PF COMMISSIONER (IS)