Step by Step Process for ECR Filing

Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) is a monthly return that needs to be uploaded by employers every month through the Unified Portal. It is a part of the CTC of the employees.

The returns that are filed will have the details of the wages as well as a contribution for both new and existing members. When the uploaded ECR gets approved, it will generate the challan, and the employer can submit the dues to the designated SBI branch using this challan. By this process, the uploaded ECR will be linked to the remitted challan. If the ECR is uploaded but not remitted, it is considered a lapse after 15 days of challan generation. If you upload the monthly ECR, there will be no need for the employer to file the return manually.

EPF (Employee Provident Fund) is an intrinsic part of the CTC. A small part of employees’ pay is saved in the form of Provident fund contributions for social security. This money can be withdrawn by the employee at the time of retirement. Though withdrawing the EPF amount would not be ideal, the government of India now allows the employee to withdraw the amount saved under FP after six months on the job. This amount can be used in emergency situations.

Also Read: All You Need to Know About ESI Contribution

Why use Electronic Challan cum Return

Although it is mandatory, there are other reasons to use Electronic Challan cum Return:

• You don’t need to prepare a hard copy and submit it to EPFO
• The employee gets instant confirmation of payment through SMS
• There is no need to submit other returns such as Form 5/10/12A,3A, and 6A
• The member’s account will get credited the contribution every month
• The employers can view their accounts slip, and they can also request account slips for earlier years through the portal

Also Read: How to claim PF Online? Step by Step Guide

How to Generate ECR Challan?

The EPFO introduced the revamped ECR system in September 2025. Here is the step-by-step revamped ECR filing process:

Step 1:

Log in to the employer portal.

Step 2:

Click on the ‘Payments’ menu, and select ‘Return Filing (Quick Links)’

Step 3:

On the new page, select the option ‘Return Filing Home Page’

Step 4:

On the next page, select the option ‘Return Monthly Dashboard’

Step 5:

Select the ‘Wage Month’, and click on the ‘Search’ button.

Step 6:

You can view the selected month’s return summary below. Click on the ‘View/Upload’ button.

Step 7:

Enter the relevant details on the next page, and select the return file in .txt format.

Step 8:

Once you have entered all details and verified the auto-filled data, click on the ‘Upload’ button, and select ‘OK’ on the pop-up to confirm your dialog.

Step 9:

If the file is uploaded successfully, you will see that it is in process, while also sharing the statement with the option to ‘Approve’ or ‘Reject’ the return.

Step 10:

Once you verify the return statement, you can click on the ‘Approve’ button and the confirmation.

Step 11:

Once the file is approved, the system generates a ‘Due Deposit Balance Summary’. You can view the Contribution Summary on this page.

Step 12:

Click on the ‘Pay Admin/Insp Charges’, ‘Full Payment’, or ‘Part Payment’ button according to your options, select the ‘Prepare Challan’ button, and click on ‘Ok’ on the confirmation pop-up.

Step 13:

You will again be navigated to the ‘In-process challans’ list.

Step 14:

Click on the ‘Pay’ button against the challan, and the system takes you to the Challan Payment page, where you can select the bank and click on the ‘Make Payment’ button.

Step 15:

Once the payment is done, the system again takes you back to the ‘Returns Summary’ page, where you need to click on the ‘Pay 7Q/14B Charges’ button.

Step 16:

Click on the ‘Prepare Challan’ option, and confirm the pop-up.

Step 17:

Once the pop-up is confirmed, the ECR challan will be generated successfully with a unique TRRN, and it will be visible under the ‘In-process Challans’ list.

Step 18:

Once again, click on the ‘Pay’ button, select the bank details, and click on the ‘Make Payment’ button to complete the process.