Exam guide · UPSC
UPSC EPFO
UPSC EPFO Recruitment Test (Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner / Enforcement Officer–Accounts Officer)
The Union Public Service Commission's recruitment of officers for the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (Ministry of Labour & Employment) through a pen-and-paper Recruitment Test followed by an interview.
Latest official notice: Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 — Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO (Vacancy No. 26085201722), published 22 August 2026 (online applications open).
Vacancies
80
Age limit
Not more than 35 years (UR/EWS), 38 years (OBC) or 40 years (SC/ST)
Application fee
₹25, by Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit card, UPI or internet banking; non-refundable
Notice published
22 August 2026 (online applications open)
UPSC EPFO notification: key dates and vacancies
| Online application opens | 22 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online application closes | 11 September 2026 (6 pm) |
| Recruitment Test (pen and paper) | 20 December 2026 (may be changed by notice on the website) |
| Interview | To be announced separately |
| Vacancies | 80 (UR 29, OBC 18, SC 15, ST 10, EWS 8; 3 reserved for PwBD) |
Posts filled through this exam
- Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Level-10 in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC; Central Board Group 'A', permanent
Source: Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 — Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO (Vacancy No. 26085201722) (published 22 August 2026 (online applications open)). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
UPSC EPFO recruitment is the Union Public Service Commission's selection of officers for the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation under the Ministry of Labour & Employment. The latest advertisement on upsc.gov.in, Special Advertisement No. 52/2026, recruits 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners (APFC), a permanent Central Board Group 'A' post in Level-10 of the 7th CPC pay matrix.
Selection runs in two stages: a two-hour, pen-and-paper objective Recruitment Test (RT) of 300 marks with one-third negative marking, scheduled for 20 December 2026, and an interview of 100 marks. The RT and interview are weighted in the ratio 75:25.
This guide sets out the vacancies, age and relaxation rules, qualification, fee, the RT pattern and the syllabus exactly as the official advertisement prints them. Enforcement Officer / Accounts Officer posts in EPFO are advertised separately by UPSC and are not covered by this advertisement.
UPSC EPFO APFC vacancies (Special Advertisement No. 52/2026)
The advertisement lists eighty vacancies of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (Vacancy No. 26085201722). Three of them are reserved for persons with benchmark disability: one each for blindness and low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, and locomotor disability.
Probation is one year. The headquarters is New Delhi, and the post carries All India Service liability: officers have to serve in any part of India.
Category-wise vacancies
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 29 |
| OBC | 18 |
| SC | 15 |
| ST | 10 |
| EWS | 8 |
| Total | 80 |
The category rows add up to the printed total of 80. PwBD: 3 (included, not additional).
Age limit, relaxation and qualification
The upper age limit is 35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC and 40 years for SC/ST. The date for determining the eligibility of all candidates in every respect is the closing date of the online application, 11 September 2026.
The essential qualification is a degree of a recognised university or equivalent. A diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws or Public Administration is desirable. You will need your degree/diploma certificate as proof of the qualification claimed, and your Matriculation/10th certificate as proof of date of birth.
Upper age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (at least 40% disability) | Up to 10 years (maximum age 56 on the closing date) |
| Ex-servicemen and commissioned officers | 5 years, subject to conditions |
| Central / UT government servants | Up to 5 years |
| Employees of EPFO | Up to 5 years |
Relaxations combine: SC/ST government employees up to 10 years and SC/ST PwBD up to 15 years; OBC government employees up to 8 years and OBC PwBD up to 13 years.
Recruitment Test pattern, negative marking and interview
The Recruitment Test is a pen-and-paper test of two hours with objective, multiple-choice questions. All questions carry equal marks, and the medium is both English and Hindi. Answers are marked on an OMR sheet with a black ball pen only.
Every wrong answer carries a deduction of one-third of the marks assigned to that question. If no answer is marked for a question, there is no penalty for it. The advertisement does not print the number of questions.
300 marks are given to the RT and 100 to the interview, and the two are weighted in the ratio 75:25. The RT minimum is decided by the Commission case by case; in the interview you need at least 50 (UR), 45 (OBC) or 40 (SC/ST/PwBD) out of 100.
Selection scheme
| Stage | Type | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruitment Test | Objective, pen and paper (English and Hindi) | 2 hours | 300 |
| Interview | Interview | — | 100 |
Weightage of RT and interview: 75:25. Negative marking: one-third of the marks of the question per wrong answer.
UPSC EPFO Recruitment Test syllabus
The Recruitment Test is a single two-hour objective paper of 300 marks (equal marks per question; one-third of a question's marks deducted for each wrong answer; no penalty for unanswered questions). The advertisement does not print the number of questions.
The syllabus in Appendix I, Part II of the advertisement lists nine areas, reproduced below in the order printed.
Syllabus areas (Appendix I, Part II)
| No. | Topic |
|---|---|
| i | General English — to evaluate a candidate's understanding of English language & workman-like use of words |
| ii | Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movements |
| iii | Developmental Issues and Present Trends in Indian Economy |
| iv | Governance and Constitution of India |
| v | General Science and Basic Knowledge of Computer Applications |
| vi | Elementary Mathematics, Statistics and General Mental Ability |
| vii | Industrial Relations, Labour Codes and Social Security in India |
| viii | Principles of Accountancy, Auditing and Insurance |
| ix | Current Events of National and International Importance |
The advertisement prints these headings without further sub-topics.
How to apply for UPSC EPFO (APFC)
- 1
Apply online on the UPSC portal
Apply at upsconline.nic.in/ora. Registering on the Online Application Portal generates a Universal Registration Number (URN). For this advertisement the window was 22 August to 11 September 2026 (6 pm).
- 2
Fill your details carefully
Candidates are shortlisted for interview on the basis of the information provided in the online application, and eligibility in every respect is judged on the closing date.
- 3
Pay the fee
₹25 by Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit card, UPI or internet banking. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt; OBC, EWS and unreserved men must pay. The fee is non-refundable.
- 4
Print your application
After submitting, take a printout of the application. Requirements for the interview stage are intimated separately.
- 5
Appear in the Recruitment Test
The RT is scheduled for 20 December 2026 at 84 centres listed in the advertisement. Bring a black ball pen for the OMR sheet.
- 6
Get help if needed
UPSC helpline: 011-24041001 or 011-40303444 (10 am – 5:30 pm on working days during the application window), email upscsoap@nic.in.
Latest UPSC EPFO recruitment
No active trusted recruitment is published for this exam right now.
Exam overview
Reviewed editorial
Who it is for
Graduates who want a Group 'A' officer post in social security administration and are ready to serve anywhere in India.
Eligibility, age and qualification
Exact limits are set per post in each official notice.
Age limit
Not more than 35 years (UR/EWS), 38 years (OBC) or 40 years (SC/ST) (as on Closing date of online application (11 September 2026))
Educational qualification
- Essential: Degree of a recognised university or equivalent
- Desirable: Diploma in Company Law / Labour Laws / Public Administration
Upper age relaxation
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (at least 40% disability) | Up to 10 years, subject to a maximum age of 56 on the closing date |
| Ex-servicemen and commissioned officers | 5 years (subject to conditions) |
| Central / UT government servants | Up to 5 years |
| Employees of EPFO | Up to 5 years |
Application fee
₹25, by Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit card, UPI or internet banking; non-refundable. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt. OBC, EWS and unreserved male candidates have no exemption.
Source: Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 — Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO (Vacancy No. 26085201722) (published 22 August 2026 (online applications open)). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
- Degree of a recognised university or equivalent
- Age within the notified limit on the closing date of the application
- Category-wise age relaxation
- Relaxation for Central/UT government servants and EPFO employees
Selection process and exam pattern
Stages of selection
- 1Recruitment Test (RT): pen-and-paper, objective multiple-choice, 2 hours, 300 marks
- 2Interview: 100 marks
- 3Final weightage of RT and interview in the ratio 75:25
Recruitment Test (RT)
2 hours
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Objective multiple-choice test on the nine syllabus areas (General English to Current Events) | Not stated in the advertisement | 300 |
All questions carry equal marks. Every wrong answer carries a deduction of one-third of the marks assigned to that question; no penalty for a question left unanswered. Medium: both English and Hindi. OMR answer sheet, black ball pen only. The RT minimum is decided by the Commission case by case.
Interview
—
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Interview | — | 100 |
Minimum interview marks: UR 50, OBC 45, SC/ST/PwBD 40 (out of 100). RT and interview are weighted 75:25.
Source: Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 — Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO (Vacancy No. 26085201722) (published 22 August 2026 (online applications open)). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Reviewed editorial
Selection is in two stages: a two-hour objective Recruitment Test (RT) held on pen and paper, then an interview. The RT and interview carry 300 and 100 marks, weighted 75:25; the exact scheme is confirmed from each advertisement on upsc.gov.in.
Syllabus and subject-wise prep
- General English
- Indian culture, heritage and freedom movements
- Indian economy, governance and the Constitution
- General science, computer applications, elementary mathematics and statistics
- Industrial relations, labour codes and social security in India
- Accountancy, auditing and insurance
- Current events
Prepare for UPSC EPFO
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Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for UPSC EPFO?
Not more than 35 years (UR/EWS), 38 years (OBC) or 40 years (SC/ST), counted as on Closing date of online application (11 September 2026), as per the Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 — Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO (Vacancy No. 26085201722). Category-wise upper age relaxation is given in the notice.
What qualification is needed for UPSC EPFO?
Essential: Degree of a recognised university or equivalent. Desirable: Diploma in Company Law / Labour Laws / Public Administration.
When can I apply for UPSC EPFO?
Online application opens: 22 August 2026, as per the notice published on 22 August 2026 (online applications open). Applications are made only on upsc.gov.in.
What is the UPSC EPFO exam pattern?
Recruitment Test (RT): Objective multiple-choice test on the nine syllabus areas (General English to Current Events) (2 hours). All questions carry equal marks. Every wrong answer carries a deduction of one-third of the marks assigned to that question; no penalty for a question left unanswered. Medium: both English and Hindi. OMR answer sheet, black ball pen only. The RT minimum is decided by the Commission case by case. Interview: Interview (—). Minimum interview marks: UR 50, OBC 45, SC/ST/PwBD 40 (out of 100). RT and interview are weighted 75:25.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC EPFO?
80 (UR 29, OBC 18, SC 15, ST 10, EWS 8; 3 reserved for PwBD), according to the Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 — Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO (Vacancy No. 26085201722).
How many vacancies are there in the latest UPSC EPFO advertisement?
Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 lists 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner vacancies: UR 29, OBC 18, SC 15, ST 10 and EWS 8, with 3 reserved for PwBD.
What is the age limit for UPSC EPFO APFC?
35 years for UR/EWS, 38 for OBC and 40 for SC/ST, counted on the closing date (11 September 2026). PwBD candidates get up to 10 years more, subject to a maximum of 56.
What qualification is needed for APFC?
A degree of a recognised university or equivalent. A diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws or Public Administration is desirable.
What is the pay level of an Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner?
Level-10 in the 7th CPC pay matrix. It is a permanent Central Board Group 'A' post.
Is there negative marking in the UPSC EPFO Recruitment Test?
Yes. Every wrong answer carries a deduction of one-third of the marks assigned to that question. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
What is the UPSC EPFO exam pattern?
A two-hour, pen-and-paper objective Recruitment Test of 300 marks in English and Hindi, followed by a 100-mark interview. The RT and interview are weighted 75:25.
What is the UPSC EPFO syllabus?
Nine areas: General English; Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movements; Indian Economy; Governance and Constitution; General Science and Computer Applications; Elementary Mathematics, Statistics and General Mental Ability; Industrial Relations, Labour Codes and Social Security; Accountancy, Auditing and Insurance; and Current Events.
What is the application fee for UPSC EPFO?
₹25. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt.
When is the UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test?
The advertisement schedules it for 20 December 2026, subject to change by notice on the UPSC website.
Where is an APFC posted?
The headquarters is New Delhi, but the post carries All India Service liability, so officers have to serve in any part of India.
What is UPSC EPFO?
The Union Public Service Commission's recruitment of officers for the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (Ministry of Labour & Employment) through a pen-and-paper Recruitment Test followed by an interview.
Who is UPSC EPFO for?
Graduates who want a Group 'A' officer post in social security administration and are ready to serve anywhere in India.
How is UPSC EPFO selection described?
Selection is in two stages: a two-hour objective Recruitment Test (RT) held on pen and paper, then an interview. The RT and interview carry 300 and 100 marks, weighted 75:25; the exact scheme is confirmed from each advertisement on upsc.gov.in.
Niyookti is not part of UPSC. The official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) and its notices are the only final source. Always confirm details there before applying.