[Download] EPFO Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

The EPFO exam in India is conducted by UPSC for the post of Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer. 

EPFO Notification

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will be issuing inviting online applications for direct recruitment through selection for two principal posts very soon:

• Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO)
• Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC)

Website: https://www.upsconline.nic.in

Vacancy Details (as per 2023 notification, 2025 notification expected soon)

Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer

• Total Vacancies: 418
  • Reservation Breakdown:

    • SC: 57

    • ST: 28

    • OBC: 78

    • EWS: 51

    • UR: 204

  • Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): 25 vacancies (with further sub-reservation details provided for various disability categories).
• Nature of Post: Permanent, Group “B”, Non-Ministerial.
• Pay Scale: Level–08 in the Pay Matrix (as per 7th CPC).
• Maximum Age: 30 years (age relaxations applicable as per guidelines).

Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner

• Total Vacancies: 159
  • Reservation Breakdown:

    • SC: 25

    • ST: 12

    • OBC: 38

    • EWS: 16

    • UR: 68

  • Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): 8 vacancies (with sub-reservation in specified disability categories).
• Nature of Post: Permanent, Group “A”, Non-Ministerial.
• Pay Scale:Level–10 in the Pay Matrix (as per 7th CPC).
• Maximum Age: 35 years (with relaxations for designated categories).

Essential Qualifications

For Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer

• Educational Qualification:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognized university or institute.

  • Note: Qualifications are relaxable at the discretion of the Commission in exceptional cases (with reasons recorded in writing).

For Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner

• Educational Qualification:
  • Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
  • Desirable: Diploma in Company Law / Labour Laws / Public Administration.

  • Note: As above, relaxations can be considered by the Commission for exceptionally well-qualified candidates.

Syllabus for Recruitment Test (RT)

The recruitment process includes a pen & paper based objective type Recruitment Test (RT) and an interview. The test is conducted separately for the two posts. The medium of the test is both Hindi and English. There is a penalty for wrong answers (one-third mark deducted per incorrect answer); no penalty if left blank.

Syllabus for Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer RT

• General English:

  • Testing understanding of language and correct usage of words.

• Indian Freedom Struggle:

  • Important movements, milestones, and key events.

• Current Events and Developmental Issues.
• Indian Polity & Economy:

  • Governance, constitutional provisions, and economic policies.

• General Accounting Principles.
• Industrial Relations & Labour Laws.
• General Science and Knowledge of Computer Applications.
• General Mental Ability & Quantitative Aptitude.
• Social Security in India.

Marks in the RT and Interview will be in the ratio of 75:25 for determining the final merit.

Syllabus for Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner RT

1. General English:

   • Similar focus as above.

2. Indian Culture, Heritage, Freedom Movements & Current Events.
3. Population, Development, and Globalization.
4. Governance and Constitution of India.
5. Present Trends in the Indian Economy.
6. Accounting and Auditing, Industrial Relations, Labour Laws, Insurance.
7. Basic Knowledge of Computer Applications, General Science.
8. Elementary Mathematics, Statistics, and General Mental Ability.
9. Social Security in India.

Also maintained in a 75:25 ratio (RT:Interview) for final evaluation.

Additional Key Details

Duties & Responsibilities

• EO/AO & APFC Duties Include:

  • Enforcement, recovery, accounts, administration, cash management, legal, pension, and computer functions.

  • Specific functions include conducting inquiries, settlement of claims, maintenance of cash books, reconciliation of bank statements, and submission of MIS returns.

• Service Nature:

  • All India Service liability; officers may be required to serve anywhere in India.

Application & Test Logistics

• Application Mode:
  • Strictly online via https://www.upsconline.nic.in.

  • Applications through any other mode will not be accepted.

• Fee Details:

  • Rs. 25 for single-post applications; Rs. 50 for dual post applications (with fee exemptions for SC/ST/PwBD/women).

• Recruitment Test Centres:

  • Provided as per a detailed list across the country; candidates are allotted centres on a “first-apply-first-allot” basis (with a ceiling for some centres).

• Important Dates:

  • Closing date for applications: 17th March 2023, 18:00 hrs.

  • Date of Recruitment Test will be intimated later on the UPSC website.

• Interview & Documentation:

  • Shortlisted candidates will have to provide original documents (with self-attested copies) at the interview.

  • Detailed instructions regarding the required documents (educational certificates, experience certificates, caste, and disability certificates) are provided in the notification.

Special Provisions & Relaxations

• Age Relaxations:

  • Detailed relaxations for SC/ST/OBC candidates and for candidates belonging to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) as per government guidelines.

• Scribe and Compensatory Time:

  • Provisions for candidates with disabilities, including guidelines for qualification of scribe and conditions for awarding compensatory time.

Code of Conduct and Warning

• Misconduct:

  • Strict instructions are provided against furnishing false information, tampering with documents, or any irregularity in the application process.

  • Any misconduct may result in disqualification, debarment from future examinations, or criminal prosecution.

How to Apply

• Online Portal:
  • Candidates must apply through https://www.upsconline.nic.in.
• Documents Required at Time of Application:

  • Only photograph, signature, and identity proof are required with the online application.

• After Submission:

  • Candidates must take a printout of the final submitted application.

  • Modifications in application details are allowed as per specific guidelines for a short period after submission.

Requirement 

• Matriculation Certificate/Marksheet
• Age Proof/Birth Certificate
• Education Certificate
• Caste Certificate
• Challan/Credit Certificate/E Challan
• Photograph and signature