UPSC EPFO
Recruitment to officer posts in the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation: Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC, Group A) and Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO, Group B). The 2026 cycle is for APFC only.
Eligibility
You need a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. The upper age limit is 35 years for APFC and 30 years for EO/AO, counted on the closing date of applications. Relaxation applies as per rules: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST and 10 years for PwBD. There is no attempt limit.
Age limit: Up to 35 years for APFC and up to 30 years for EO/AO (relaxation for reserved categories)
Exam pattern
The Recruitment Test is a pen-and-paper exam with an OMR answer sheet. It lasts 2 hours and has 120 objective questions of equal marks. A wrong answer costs one-third of that question's marks. Candidates are shortlisted from the test for an interview. The final merit list combines the test and the interview in a 75:25 ratio.
Syllabus at a glance
The test covers general English, the Indian freedom struggle, current events and developmental issues, Indian polity and economy, and general accounting principles. It also covers industrial relations and labour laws, general science and computer applications, general mental ability and quantitative aptitude, and social security in India, including the EPF and MP Act 1952, the ESI Act and the new labour codes.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| e-Admit card release | Around mid-Dec 2026 | expected |
| APFC Recruitment Test | 20 Dec 2026 (Sunday) | confirmed |
| Written result | Mar-May 2027 | expected |
| Interview and final result | Late 2027 | expected |
| Next EO/AO recruitment notification | Not yet announced | tba |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Indian Polity - M. Laxmikanth
- A Brief History of Modern India (Spectrum) - Rajiv Ahir
- Labour and Industrial Laws - P.K. Padhi
- Double Entry Book Keeping (Financial Accounting) - T.S. Grewal
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations - R.S. Aggarwal
- Objective General English - S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
How toppers play it
- Labour laws, social security and accounting together make up about 35-40% of the paper, and these are areas few other exams test. Master the EPF & MP Act 1952, the ESI Act and the four labour codes from the official bare acts.
- Revise the EPFO-specific facts you can score on: contribution rates, the EDLI and EPS schemes, the structure of the Central Board of Trustees and recent EPFO reforms.
- With 120 questions in 120 minutes and one-third negative marking, answer the English and aptitude questions quickly and spend the time saved on the law and accounting questions.
- The interview carries 25% weight, which is unusually high. Prepare to discuss labour welfare, social security coverage and your own work experience in detail.