Seeking Advice on Resolving ECR File Upload Error RFE-3 for Two Employees' PF Challan Submission for October 2025

We are experiencing an error while uploading the ECR file for October 2025, specifically for two employees. The error, RFE-3 (UAN), states "UAN is not linked to your establishment or the Date of Joining/Date of Exit is missing or incorrect," and is found on line numbers: [12, 68].

It's important to note that these employees have not resigned. On the PF portal, their exit dates are recorded as 2021 for one employee and 10th November 2017 for the other. They have since re-joined the company; one in 2023 and the other in 2017. We have successfully paid their PF challan through the portal until September 2025, but this month we are encountering the aforementioned error.

Could you please advise on how we can successfully submit their PF challan for October 2025 without incurring any penalties? Someone suggested that I add them again to the company with their original Date of Joining. However, I am concerned this might result in a penalty.

I appreciate a prompt response as the deadline for PF submission is approaching.

The error RFE-3 (UAN) you're encountering typically occurs when the UAN of an employee is not linked to your establishment or the Date of Joining/Date of Exit is missing or incorrect.

Here are the steps you can follow to resolve this issue:

1. Verify the UAN: Check if the UAN of these employees is correctly linked to your establishment. You can do this by logging into your employer account on the EPFO portal.

2. Check the Date of Joining and Date of Exit: Ensure that the Date of Joining and Date of Exit for these employees are correctly updated in your records and on the EPFO portal.

3. Update the Rejoining Information: If these employees have rejoined the company, their rejoining information should be updated correctly. If this is not done, it could lead to errors while uploading the ECR file.

4. Consult with EPFO: If the error persists, it would be advisable to consult with the EPFO helpdesk. They can provide specific guidance based on your situation.

Adding them again to the company with their original Date of Joining might not be the best solution as it could lead to complications and potential penalties. It's better to ensure that their employment history is accurately reflected in the EPFO records.

Remember, it's crucial to resolve these issues promptly to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with the EPF regulations.

Can any member please suggest a way forward for myquery