For candidates hoping to join the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) administers the prestigious Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) exam. An extensive summary of the UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 exam is provided below:
Get the latest UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 updates: notification, syllabus, vacancies, and exam preparation tips
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Exam Key Highlights
Overview for the UPSC EPFO APFC 2025:
| Exam Details | Information |
| Exam Name | UPSC EPFO APFC |
| Post | Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Application Fee | ₹25 (for General/OBC/EWS) Exempted for SC/ST/PwD/Female candidates |
| Selection Process | Phase 1: Written Examination (Objective type) Phase 2: Personal Interview |
| Salary | As per 7th Pay Commission |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Notification
The UPSC EPFO APFC exam does not follow an annual schedule, and its notification depends on vacancy availability. The most recent notification was released on 25 February 2023. For the 2025 cycle, the notification is expected to be issued in February or March 2025.
| Exam | Expected Notification Month |
| UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 | February/March 2025 |
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Job Profile and Salary
The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is a prestigious role under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. This position comes with significant responsibilities and offers an attractive salary package.
UPSC EPFO APFC Job Profile
The APFC plays a pivotal role in the efficient administration of social security schemes and labor laws under EPFO. Key roles and responsibilities include:
- Policy Implementation– Overseeing the implementation of Provident Fund, Pension, and Insurance Schemes for employees. Ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
- Supervision and Monitoring– Supervising the work of regional and field offices. Monitoring contributions, maintaining records, and ensuring timely disbursal of benefits.
- Grievance Redressal– Addressing grievances of employers and employees related to PF, pensions, and insurance claims.
- Regulatory Functions– Conducting inspections to ensure compliance with labor laws. Taking necessary legal action against defaulters or violators.
- Administrative Duties– Managing teams, preparing reports, and coordinating with other government bodies for effective policy implementation. Conducting awareness programs for stakeholders.
- Litigation Management– Representing EPFO in legal matters, including court cases, disputes, and settlements.
UPSC EPFO APFC Salary
The APFC post is a Group A (Gazetted) position and offers a competitive salary along with various allowances.
- Basic Pay– APFCs are placed in Pay Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), with a starting basic pay of ₹56,100 per month.
- Allowances-
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Approximately 42% of basic pay (as per current rates).
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 24% of basic pay for Tier 1 cities. 16% for Tier 2 cities. 8% for Tier 3 cities.
- Transport Allowance (TA): Provided as per government norms.
- Other Benefits: Medical reimbursement, LTC, gratuity, and other perks.
- Gross Monthly Salary– The gross salary for an APFC, including allowances, can range between ₹85,000 to ₹95,000, depending on the posting location.
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Tentative Exam Dates
While exact dates will be released in the official notification, here is the expected timeline based on previous exam cycles:
| Events | Tentative Dates |
| Online Registration Start | February/March 2025 |
| Online Registration Last Date | March/April 2025 |
| Last Date for Application Fee | April 2025 |
| Exam Date | June/July 2025 |
Note: These dates are subject to change based on official UPSC updates.
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Expected Vacancies
As per a recent RTI (December 2024), 74 vacancies are anticipated for the APFC recruitment in 2025.
| Year | APFC Vacancies |
| 2012 | 253 |
| 2015 | 170 |
| 2023 | 159 |
| 2025 | 74 (Expected) |
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates aspiring to appear for the APFC exam must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee who has been residing in India since 1962, or a person of Indian descent from designated countries.
- Age Limit
- Minimum: 21 years Maximum: 35 years
- Relaxation:
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PwD: 10 years
- Educational Qualification
- Essential: A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or its equivalent.
- Desirable: Diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws, or Public Administration.
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Exam Pattern
The UPSC EPFO APFC exam has two stages:
- Phase 1
- Written Examination (Objective Type) [ 75% Weightage]
| Questions | Marks | Duration |
| 120 Qs | 300 | 2 hours |
Note: Negative marking- 1/3 for wrong answers
The Phase 1 Exam is divided into two sections:
Section A: General English
Section B: Various topics such as:
- Indian Culture and Heritage, Population and Development, Accounting and Auditing, Industrial Relations and Labor Laws, Computer Applications, General Science and more
- Phase 2
- Personal Interview (100 marks) [ 25% Weightage]
Candidates who qualify the Phase 1 Exam will be shortlisted for the Interview.
Minimum Qualifying Marks for Interview:
| Category | Minimum Marks |
| UR | 50 |
| OBC | 45 |
| SC/ST/PwD | 40 |
UPSC EPFO APFC Exam 2025 Syllabus
The Phase 1 exam for the UPSC EPFO APFC includes a diverse range of topics covering multiple disciplines. Below is a detailed syllabus breakdown:
1. General English- Grammar, Vocabulary, Idioms & PhrasesSentence Rearrangement, Comprehension, Active & Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect Speech.
2. Indian Culture & Heritage– Prehistoric India, Ancient Civilizations, Indian Philosophy & Literature, Medieval and Modern Heritage.
3. Population & Development– Demographics, Migration, Globalization, Economic Inequality, Urbanization.
4. Governance & Constitution– Governance Structures, Environmental and Social Governance, Constitutional Provisions, Public Administration.
5. Accounts & Auditing– Financial Accounting, Governmental Accounting, Auditing Standards.
6. General Science– Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science.
7. Mathematics & Statistics– Elementary Mathematics, Statistics, Probability, Linear Regression & Correlation.
8. Computer Knowledge– MS Office, Databases, Emerging Technologies.
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Preparation- Books and Resources
Worried about how to prepare for UPSC APFC 2025?
Your one-stop solution for everything you need! Go check it out now!
In case you want to prepare by yourself, here’s a list of recommended books for preparing for the UPSC EPFO APFC exam:
- General English: ‘High School English Grammar’ by Wren & Martin and ‘Objective General English’ by S.P. Bakshi
- Population & Development: ‘Population Studies’ NCERT Class 12
- Constitution: ‘Indian Polity’ by M. Laxmikanth
- Governance: ‘Governance in India’ by M. P. Jain
- Indian Culture and Heritage: ‘Indian Art and Culture’ by Nitin Singhania, NCERT on Indian Art (Class 11 & 12)
- History: NCERT Class 11 & 12, ‘India’s Struggle for Independence’ by Bipin Chandra
- Economics: ‘Indian Economy’ by Ramesh Singh
- Accounts & Auditing: NCERT Books, ‘Financial Accounting’ by T.S. Grewal
- Industrial Relations & Labor Laws: ICSI Modules, ‘Industrial Relations’ by P.R. N. Sinha
- General Science: NCERT Class 11 & 12
- Mathematics & Statistics: R.S. Aggarwal for quantitative aptitude and NCERT Class 11 & 12 for Statistics basics.
- Computer Knowledge: ‘Objective Computer Awareness’ by R. Pillai
Click here to start your practice journey via our Test Series. Explore preparation resources for detailed guidance.
UPSC EPFO APFC Previous Year Papers
It is always useful to refer to previous years’ question papers. Referring to previous year papers can give you an idea of the exam’s structure and level of difficulty. This will not only enhance your confidence but also will act as a mirror for your practice and preparation standards.
Click here to go through the UPSC EPFO APFC PYQs.
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Preparation Tips
- Know the Syllabus: Focus on core areas such as Labour Laws, Social Security, and Industrial Relations.
- Current Affairs: Stay updated with news related to governance, social security, and economic policies.
- Practice Quantitative Aptitude: Develop problem-solving skills to tackle numerical problems efficiently.
- Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers: Regularly attempt these to evaluate your preparation and time management.
- Revise Key Concepts: Pay special attention to topics like Mathematics, Statistics, and Population Studies.
- Join Specialized Courses: Enroll in courses tailored to the syllabus to gain a deeper understanding of complex subjects and structured guidance.
UPSC EPFO APFC Cut-Off 2023 (Expected)
| Category | Estimated Cut-Off (Out of 300) |
| General (UR) | 184-189 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 171-176 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 158-163 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 154-159 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 169-172 |
These are approximate values and might differ from the official cut-offs, which will be available once the results are announced.
UPSC EPFO APFC Admit Card 2025
The UPSC EPFO APFC Admit Card 2025 is an essential document provided to candidates meeting the eligibility criteria. It serves as an entry pass for all stages of the examination. To appear for the UPSC EPFO APFC exam, candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid government-issued photo identification. If the photograph on the admit card is unclear, additional passport-sized photos may also be required.
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 Result
The results for the UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 exam will be announced on the official website, upsc.gov.in, after completing all stages of the selection process. Candidates who secure a spot on the merit list will be assigned positions based on their rank. Upon selection, they will undergo a mandatory probationary training period.
Conclusion
The UPSC EPFO APFC exam is an excellent opportunity for graduates looking to work in the government sector, specifically within the Employee Provident Fund Organization. While the exam process may seem tough, with proper preparation and focus, you can crack it.
Keep track of the official notifications from the UPSC, stay updated on the syllabus and exam pattern, and use the recommended books and resources to guide your preparation. Remember, a clear understanding of the exam’s structure and consistent effort can help you succeed.
Good luck with your UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 exam preparation!
Click Here to access our specialized courses and test series for rock solid preparation.
UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 FAQs
What is the UPSC EPFO APFC exam?
The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) exam is conducted by the UPSC to hire officers who manage and enforce the schemes and laws of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).
When will the UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 notification be released?
The official notification for the UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 exam is expected to be released in February or March 2025.
How many vacancies are expected for UPSC EPFO APFC 2025?
Based on recent information from an RTI, around 74 vacancies are anticipated for the UPSC EPFO APFC 2025 recruitment.
What is the age limit for the UPSC EPFO APFC exam?
The upper age limit for candidates applying for the UPSC EPFO APFC exam is 35 years, with age relaxations available for candidates from reserved categories according to government rules.
What is the syllabus for the UPSC EPFO APFC exam?
The UPSC EPFO APFC exam covers a broad range of topics, including General English, Labour Laws, Social Security, Statistics, Insurance, and Indian Polity, among others.
What is the selection process for the UPSC EPFO APFC exam?
The selection process for UPSC EPFO APFC consists of:
Phase 1 Exam: Written Examination (objective test).
Phase 2 Exam: Interview
What is the salary of the UPSC EPFO APFC officer?
The UPSC EPFO APFC officer receives a salary of around ₹1,00,000 per month, including allowances, based on the Level 10 pay matrix.
Is there negative marking in the UPSC EPFO APFC exam?
Yes, there is negative marking in the Phase 1 Exam. 1/3rd of the marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
Can candidates from any educational background apply for UPSC EPFO APFC?
Yes, candidates with any bachelor’s degree from a recognized university can apply. A diploma in areas like Company Law, Labour Laws, or Public Administration is desirable but not required.
Is the UPSC EPFO APFC exam difficult?
The APFC exam is on the difficult side, given its prestige and limited number of vacancies. Candidates require thorough and focused preparation to clear this exam.
