Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Gen Z Drives Most New EPFO UANs in FY26
A new report says many young people are starting formal jobs in India.
These workers receive Universal Account Numbers, or UANs, linked to their provident-fund accounts.
People aged 18 to 30 made up 79% of more than 57,000 new UANs in FY26.
Workers aged 21 to 25 were the largest age group.
Women made up nearly 28% of the new UANs.
Companies are using apprenticeships to help young people learn job skills.
Nearly 64,000 apprenticeships were arranged under a national scheme.
Most of the workforce worked in smaller tier II and III cities.
The report says employers should focus not only on hiring young people but also on helping them become job-ready.
Gen Z employees aged 18–30 accounted for 79% of more than 57,000 new UANs generated in FY26.
Workers aged 21–25 formed the largest cohort, representing more than 35% of new UANs.
Women accounted for nearly 28% of new UANs and 26% of apprenticeship contracts.
Nearly 64,000 apprenticeships were facilitated under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, with automotive accounting for over 51%.
About 69% of the workforce was deployed in tier II and III cities, while 96% had completed at least Class 10.
- Who
- Gen Z employees, young workers, women, employers, and apprentices in India; the findings were reported by Quess Corp using Employees' Provident Fund Organisation and other data.
- What
- A report found that 79% of more than 57,000 new Universal Account Numbers generated in FY26 belonged to employees aged 18–30.
- When
- Financial year 2025–26, with some comparisons to FY25.
- Where
- India, including tier II and III cities.
- Why
- The figures indicate that young workers are increasingly entering India's formal workforce, increasing the need for apprenticeships, employability skills, and technology-enabled hiring.
- New UANs in FY26
- More than 57,000
- Share aged 18–30
- 79% of new UANs
- Largest age cohort
- Workers aged 21–25, at more than 35% of new UANs
- Women among new UANs
- Nearly 28%
- Apprenticeships facilitated
- Close to 64,000 under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme
- Automotive share of apprenticeships
- More than 51%
- Workforce in tier II and III cities
- Nearly 69%