UPSC EPFO FAQs 2025: Everything You Need to Know

The UPSC EPFO Notification 2025 has been officially released, and many candidates are now curious about the details of the exam. From knowing the total number of vacancies to checking who can apply, when to apply, and how the exam is conducted there are a lot of questions in students’ minds. Here is the solution. We gave some important and common questions asked by the students

UPSC EPFO FAQs 2025

To help you avoid confusion and stay updated, we have compiled the most important and frequently asked questions related to the UPSC EPFO Notification 2025 exam. In this article, you will find clear and reliable answers to all your doubts, making it easier for you to plan, prepare, and apply confidently.

What is the UPSC EPFO Exam & Which Posts Does it Recruit for?

The UPSC EPFO exam is a national-level recruitment exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to fill vacancies in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. This exam is held to recruit candidates for two important posts Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC).

Both positions offer a stable government career with good salary, job security, and growth opportunities. The EO/AO role focuses on enforcement and account-related duties, while the APFC position involves higher administrative responsibilities within EPFO.

Who is Eligible for UPSC EPFO 2025?

To apply for UPSC EPFO 2025, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. For the APFC post, a diploma in Labour Laws or related fields is desirable but not mandatory.

The age limit is 30 years for EO/AO and 35 years for APFC, with relaxations for SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, ex-servicemen, and EPFO employees as per government rules.

Applicants must be Indian citizens or meet specific nationality criteria approved by the Government of India.

What is the Exam Pattern for UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC 2025?

The UPSC EPFO selection process includes two stages:

Phase 1: Recruitment Test (Written Exam)

• Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper), bilingual (Hindi & English, except General English)
• Total Questions: 120 MCQs
• Marks: 300 (each correct answer ≈2.5 marks)
• Time Duration: 120 minutes
• Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer; unanswered questions aren’t penalized
• Weightage: Contributes 75% to final selection

Phase 2: Interview (Personality Test)

• Marks: 100

What is the Selection Process of UPSC EPFO?

The selection process for UPSC EPFO 2025 recruitment to both Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) posts consists of two stages a Recruitment Test (RT) followed by an Interview (Personality Test).

What is the syllabus for the UPSC EPFO 2025 exam?

The UPSC EPFO 2025 syllabus includes a mix of general awareness, reasoning, and subject-specific topics. Common subjects for both EO/AO and APFC posts are General English, Indian Polity & Economy, Current Affairs, General Accounting Principles, Labour Laws, Quantitative Aptitude, General Science, Computer Applications, and Social Security in India.

For the APFC post, the syllabus also covers additional areas like Statistics, Auditing, Insurance, and Population & Globalization. Understanding the full syllabus is key to focused and effective preparation.

Is There Negative Marking in the UPSC EPFO Exam?

Yes, 1/3rd mark is deducted for each wrong answer.

What is the Salary of EO/AO and APFC Officers?

The salary structure for UPSC EPFO officers is based on the 7th Pay Commission and offers a stable and rewarding pay scale. The Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) is placed under Pay Level 8, with a starting basic salary of approximately ₹47,600, and in hand salary is 75,000 to ₹81,000,  along with various allowances such as DA, HRA, and transport allowance.

On the other hand, the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) falls under Pay Level 10, with a starting basic pay of around ₹56,100, plus additional government benefits and allowances and in hand salary is Around ₹1,00,000+. Both posts offer attractive in-hand salaries, job security, and career growth in a central government setup.

Can Final-Year Students Apply for the Exam?

No, final-year students are not eligible to apply for the UPSC EPFO 2025 exam. Candidates must have completed their graduation and possess the final degree certificate before the last date of application submission. Without fulfilling this requirement, their application will not be considered valid by UPSC.

How Tough is the UPSC EPFO Exam?

The UPSC EPFO exam is moderately tough more challenging than SSC or banking exams but easier than the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Its difficulty lies in the wide syllabus, covering topics like polity, labour laws, current affairs, and general accounting.

Are Previous Year Papers Available for Practice?

Yes, UPSC EPFO Previous Year Papers for the exam are available and are a valuable resource for serious aspirants. These papers help you understand the actual exam format, the level of difficulty, and the kind of questions that UPSC typically asks. Whether you’re preparing for the EO/AO or APFC post, solving past papers gives you a clear idea of important topics and recurring patterns.

Is There Any Physical Test in the UPSC EPFO Selection Process?

No, there is no physical test included in the UPSC EPFO selection process for either the Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) or the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) posts. The entire recruitment is based on two stages only a written Recruitment Test (RT) followed by a Personality Interview.