UPSC EPFO 2025: Apply Now for EO/AO & APFC Posts – Turn Your Hard Work into Success

UPSC EPFO Recruitment 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will end the online application window for vacancies in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, today, August 18, 2025. Eligible and interested candidates can apply through the official portals — upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.

The recruitment process for UPSC EPFO will include a Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) followed by a personal interview. The final merit list will be prepared by giving 75% weightage to CRT scores and 25% to interview marks. The CRT will be held in offline mode (pen and paper), and the examination date will be announced later on the official UPSC website.

The examination date will be announced later on the UPSC portal. The test is scheduled to take place in 78 cities across the country. Except for Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, and Nagpur, each exam centre will have a limited seating capacity. Candidates will be allotted centres on a “first-come, first-served” basis, and once the seats at a particular centre are filled, no further allotments will be made there.

Candidates who are unable to secure their preferred exam centre due to the seat limit will have to opt for one of the remaining available centres. Therefore, applicants are advised to complete their applications at the earliest to increase their chances of getting a centre of their choice.

Educational Qualifications:

  • EO/AO: A bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognized university.
  • APFC: A bachelor’s degree is mandatory, while a diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws, or Public Administration will be considered an added advantage.

Age Criteria (as on August 18, 2025):

  • EO/AO: Upper age limit of 30 years (with applicable relaxations).
  • APFC: Upper age limit of 35 years (with applicable relaxations).

Recruitment Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has invited applications for vacancies in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), which functions under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The recruitment drive aims to fill posts of Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC). These positions carry significant administrative and enforcement responsibilities within EPFO, making them highly sought after among aspirants preparing for government jobs.

Selection Process

The recruitment procedure for UPSC EPFO consists of two stages:

1. Combined Recruitment Test (CRT):

  • Conducted in offline mode using pen and paper.
  • The objective-type test will assess candidates’ knowledge in subjects such as General Studies, Indian Economy, Industrial Relations, Labour Laws, Social Security, and Current Affairs.
  • The detailed exam scheme and syllabus will be provided by UPSC in the official notification.

2. Interview:

  • Candidates who qualify the CRT will be shortlisted for a personal interview.
  • The final merit list will be prepared by giving 75% weightage to the CRT score and 25% weightage to the interview marks.

Salary and Benefits

The posts of Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) in EPFO are considered prestigious Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ positions under the central government. The salary is structured as per the 7th Central Pay Commission.

  • EO/AO: Pay Level-8 in the pay matrix (approx. ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 per month, excluding allowances).
  • APFC: Pay Level-10 in the pay matrix (approx. ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month, excluding allowances).

In addition to the basic pay, employees are entitled to a wide range of allowances and benefits such as:

Dearness Allowance (DA)

  • House Rent Allowance (HRA) or Government Accommodation (as per rules)
  • Transport Allowance
  • Medical Facilities
  • Pension and Social Security benefits under EPFO
  • Other perks as admissible to central government officers

These posts also offer job security, career progression, and opportunities for promotion within EPFO, making them highly attractive for aspirants.

Application Process – Step by Step

1. Visit the Website

Go to the official UPSC portals: upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.

2. Registration

Click on the Online Application for EPFO Recruitment 2025 link.

Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) by providing basic details.

3. Fill Application Form

Log in with your OTR credentials.

Enter personal details, educational qualifications, and communication information.

4. Upload Documents

Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and valid photo ID proof in the prescribed format.

5. Pay Application Fee

Pay the fee online through debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking.

Certain categories (like SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates) may be exempted from fee payment as per UPSC rules.

6. Select Exam Centre

Choose your preferred exam centre from the available options (allocation is on a first-apply-first-allot basis).

7. Preview and Submit

Carefully check all details before final submission.

Submit the form and download the confirmation page.

8. Print Application

Take a printout of the application form for record and future reference.

Important dates:

Event Date
Notification Release 29 July 2025
Start of Online Registration 29 July 2025 (from 12:00 PM)
Last Date to Apply & Pay Fees 18 August 2025 (up to 11:59 PM)
Admit Card Release To be announced
Exam Date (CRT) Tentatively scheduled for 30 November 2025
Interview Schedule Yet to be notified

Preparation Tips for UPSC EPFO 2025

1. Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus

  • Go through the official syllabus carefully to know which subjects are covered (General Studies, Labour Laws, Economy, Current Affairs, etc.).
  • Identify strong and weak areas early to plan your preparation effectively.

2. Make a Study Plan

  • Divide your preparation into daily and weekly targets.
  • Allocate more time to complex subjects like Labour Laws and Industrial Relations while maintaining consistency in static subjects like Polity and Economy.

3. Focus on Current Affairs

  • Regularly read newspapers and reliable online sources for updates on government schemes, labour reforms, social security, and economic developments.
  • Maintain short notes for revision before the exam.

4. Revise Core Subjects

  • Strengthen basics in Polity, Indian Economy, History, and General Mental Ability.
  • Refer to NCERTs and standard reference books for conceptual clarity.

5. Practice Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests

  • Solve past years’ UPSC EPFO and similar exam papers to understand question trends.
  • Take mock tests regularly to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.

6. Prepare for the Interview

  • Develop a clear understanding of EPFO’s role, functions, and social security schemes.
  • Work on communication skills and keep updated with recent developments in labour and employment policies.

7. Revision & Consistency

  • Dedicate the last few weeks before the exam to intensive revision.
  • Revise notes multiple times instead of picking up new material close to the exam.

Recommended Books & Resources for UPSC EPFO 2025

1. General Studies & Current Affairs

  • NCERTs (Class 6–12): For History, Geography, Polity, and Economy basics.
  • Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth – Essential for polity and governance.
  • Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh – Good for understanding economic concepts.
  • Lucent’s General Knowledge – Quick reference for static GK.
  • The Hindu / Indian Express Newspaper – For daily current affairs.
  • Monthly Current Affairs Magazines (Vision IAS / Drishti / Insights).

2. Labour Laws & Industrial Relations

  • Labour Laws Bare Acts – To understand provisions directly.
  • Industrial Relations & Labour Laws by P.L. Malik.
  • Labour and Industrial Law by S.N. Misra.

3. Social Security & EPFO Related Topics

  • Official EPFO Website (epfindia.gov.in) – For schemes, notifications, and updates.
  • Social Security in India by P.P. Arya & B.B. Tandon – Useful reference.

4. General Mental Ability & Quantitative Aptitude

  • Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal – For maths practice.
  • Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey – For logical reasoning.
  • A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal.

5. General English

  • Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) – Grammar and comprehension.
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis – Vocabulary building.

6. Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests

  • UPSC EPFO Previous Year Question Papers (available on UPSC website).
  • Test series from reputed institutes (Vision IAS, Insights, ForumIAS, etc.).

Additional Preparation Tips for UPSC EPFO 2025:

1. Time Management During Exam

  • The CRT is objective and time-bound, so practice solving 100+ questions within the allotted time.
  • Learn to skip lengthy or doubtful questions quickly to avoid negative marking.

2. Make Short Notes

  • Prepare concise notes for Polity articles, key economic terms, labour laws, and important schemes.
  • Use charts, tables, and mind maps for quick recall.

3. Prioritize Weightage Areas

  • Focus more on high-weightage topics such as Labour Laws, Indian Economy, and Current Affairs.
  • Revise these subjects multiple times before the exam.

4. Use Elimination Technique

  • Many UPSC MCQs can be solved by eliminating wrong choices.
  • Strengthen your logical reasoning to make educated guesses.

5. Stay Updated on Government Policies

  • Pay special attention to labour reforms, employment policies, pension schemes, and recent economic developments.
  • Read PIB (Press Information Bureau) summaries for authentic updates.

6. Balanced Preparation

  • Don’t ignore General English and Quantitative Aptitude; even though they may seem basic, they can make a big difference in overall scores.

7. Mock Interviews

  • After clearing CRT, practice mock interviews to build confidence.
  • Prepare questions related to your graduation subject, work experience (if any), and role of EPFO in social security.

8. Health & Consistency

  • Avoid burnout by following a balanced routine of study, rest, and revision.
  • Stay consistent instead of overloading just before exams.

The UPSC EPFO 2025 recruitment offers a golden opportunity for aspirants aiming to secure a prestigious central government position in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation. With attractive pay, job security, and career growth, these posts remain highly competitive. Candidates should focus on understanding the exam pattern, preparing systematically, and staying updated with current affairs and labour-related issues. Early application, consistent preparation, and smart revision strategies will be the key to success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – UPSC EPFO Recruitment 2025

Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC EPFO 2025?

The last date for submitting the online application form is 18 August 2025 (till 11:59 PM).

Q2. What are the posts available under UPSC EPFO 2025 recruitment?

The recruitment is being conducted for the positions of Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.

Q3. What is the age limit for these posts?

For EO/AO, the maximum age is 30 years (relaxations apply as per government rules).

For APFC, the maximum age is 35 years (with applicable relaxations).

Q4. What is the selection process for UPSC EPFO?

The selection will be based on a Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) followed by an interview. Final merit will be calculated in a 75:25 ratio of CRT and interview marks.

Q5. What is the salary offered for EO/AO and APFC posts?

EO/AO: Pay Level 8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100, excluding allowances).

APFC: Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500, excluding allowances).

Q6. When will the UPSC EPFO 2025 exam be conducted?

The Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) is tentatively scheduled for 30 November 2025, though the official date will be confirmed on the UPSC website.

Q7. How can I apply for the UPSC EPFO exam?

Candidates need to apply online through the official UPSC portals — upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.

Q8. Is there negative marking in the EPFO CRT?

Yes, the written exam will have negative marking for incorrect answers (details will be provided in the official exam scheme).

Q9. What are the major topics to prepare for UPSC EPFO?

Key areas include General Studies, Indian Polity, Economy, Labour Laws, Industrial Relations, Current Affairs, Social Security, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English.

Q10. Where can I find updates about the exam?

All official updates, including exam dates, admit cards, and results, will be published on the UPSC website.

Also check:

“UPSC 2026: Daily Routine of Toppers You Must Know Now!”

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