UPSC EPFO APFC Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern – Check Complete Details
The UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test 2026 will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner. The R...
Share this post
Help others discover this update
Preferred Source
The UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test 2026 will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner. The Recruitment Test will be conducted in Pen & Paper mode and will consist of objective-type questions. The examination will carry 300 marks and will have a duration of 2 hours. The syllabus covers General English, Indian Culture and Freedom Movements, Indian Economy, Governance and Constitution, General Science and Computer Applications, Mathematics, Statistics and Mental Ability, Industrial Relations, Labour Codes and Social Security, Accountancy, Auditing and Insurance, and Current Affairs.
Table of Contents
Quickly navigate to important sections
UPSC EPFO APFC Exam Pattern 2026
The UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test is an objective-type examination conducted in Pen & Paper mode. Candidates should understand the examination duration, marks, medium, negative marking and interview weightage before starting preparation.
| Exam Name | UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test 2026 |
| Post | Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Mode | Offline – Pen & Paper |
| Question Type | Objective Type / Multiple Choice Questions |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Exam Medium | English & Hindi |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 of the marks assigned to the question |
| Interview Marks | 100 Marks |
| RT : Interview Weightage | 75 : 25 |
UPSC EPFO APFC Exam Pattern – Important Points
- The Recruitment Test will be conducted in Pen & Paper mode.
- The examination will have a duration of 2 hours.
- The paper will be available in English and Hindi.
- There will be negative marking of one-third of the marks assigned to the question for an incorrect answer.
- There is no penalty for unanswered questions.
- All questions carry equal marks as prescribed in the examination scheme.
UPSC EPFO APFC Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of the Recruitment Test followed by an Interview. Candidates shortlisted through the Recruitment Test will be called for the interview stage.
- Recruitment Test (RT)
- Interview
- Final Selection
1. General English
The General English section evaluates candidates on their understanding of the English language and effective use of words.
2. Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movements
Indian Culture & Heritage
- • Ancient Indian culture
- • Medieval Indian culture
- • Modern Indian culture
- • Indian art and architecture
- • Paintings and sculpture
- • Classical and folk dances
- • Indian music and literature
- • Religious and philosophical traditions
- • UNESCO heritage sites
- • Important cultural institutions
Indian Freedom Movement
- • Arrival of Europeans in India
- • British expansion
- • Revolt of 1857
- • Formation of Indian National Congress
- • Moderate and Extremist phases
- • Swadeshi Movement
- • Home Rule Movement
- • Non-Cooperation Movement
- • Civil Disobedience Movement
- • Quit India Movement
- • Revolutionary movements
- • Constitutional developments
- • Important freedom fighters
- • Partition and Independence
3. Developmental Issues and Present Trends in Indian Economy
Candidates should understand the basic concepts of the Indian economy along with current economic developments, development challenges and government policies.
4. Governance and Constitution of India
Indian Constitution
- • Historical Background
- • Making of the Constitution
- • Preamble
- • Fundamental Rights
- • Directive Principles
- • Fundamental Duties
- • Constitutional Amendments
- • Basic Structure Doctrine
- • Citizenship
Indian Government
- • President and Vice-President
- • Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- • Parliament
- • Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- • Supreme Court and High Courts
- • Attorney General
- • CAG
- • Election Commission
- • UPSC and Finance Commission
Governance
- • Good Governance
- • Transparency and Accountability
- • E-Governance
- • Citizen-Centric Administration
- • RTI
- • Social Audit
- • Centre-State Relations
- • Panchayati Raj
- • Administrative Reforms
5. General Science and Basic Computer Applications
General Science
- • Physics – Motion, Force, Work, Energy, Heat, Light, Sound, Electricity and Magnetism
- • Chemistry – Matter, Elements, Compounds, Atoms, Acids, Bases, Metals and Chemical Reactions
- • Biology – Human Body, Nutrition, Diseases, Immunity, Genetics and Cell Biology
- • Environment and Ecology
- • Biodiversity
Computer Applications
- • Computer Fundamentals
- • Hardware and Software
- • Operating Systems
- • Input and Output Devices
- • Memory
- • Internet and Email
- • Computer Networking
- • Cybersecurity
- • MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- • Database Basics
- • Cloud Computing
- • Digital Payments
6. Elementary Mathematics, Statistics and General Mental Ability
Elementary Mathematics
- • Number System
- • Simplification
- • Percentage
- • Ratio and Proportion
- • Average
- • Profit and Loss
- • Simple and Compound Interest
- • Time and Work
- • Time, Speed and Distance
- • Mixture and Allegation
- • Mensuration
- • Basic Algebra and Geometry
- • Data Interpretation
Statistics
- • Collection of Data
- • Classification of Data
- • Tabulation
- • Mean
- • Median
- • Mode
- • Range
- • Percentage
- • Ratio
- • Probability Basics
- • Graphs and Charts
General Mental Ability
- • Analogy
- • Classification
- • Number and Alphabet Series
- • Coding-Decoding
- • Blood Relations
- • Direction Sense
- • Ranking
- • Syllogism
- • Logical Reasoning
- • Statement and Conclusion
- • Venn Diagrams
- • Data Sufficiency
7. Industrial Relations, Labour Codes and Social Security in India
Industrial Relations, Labour Codes and Social Security are among the most important areas for UPSC EPFO APFC preparation because the post is directly associated with provident fund administration and social security.
Industrial Relations
- • Industrial Relations
- • Industrial Disputes
- • Trade Unions
- • Collective Bargaining
- • Workers' Participation
- • Strikes and Lockouts
- • Grievance Handling
- • Labour Welfare
- • Conciliation
- • Arbitration
- • Adjudication
Labour Codes
- • Code on Wages, 2019
- • Industrial Relations Code, 2020
- • Code on Social Security, 2020
- • Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
Focus on objectives, definitions, applicability, wages, social security, industrial disputes, trade unions and working conditions.
Social Security
- • Meaning of Social Security
- • Social Insurance
- • Social Assistance
- • EPFO
- • Employees' Provident Fund
- • Employees' Pension Scheme
- • Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme
- • Provident Fund and Pension
- • Social Security Schemes
- • Gig and Platform Workers
8. Principles of Accountancy, Auditing and Insurance
Accountancy
- • Accounting Principles
- • Basic Accounting Concepts
- • Journal
- • Ledger
- • Trial Balance
- • Cash Book
- • Bank Reconciliation Statement
- • Capital and Revenue Expenditure
- • Depreciation
- • Final Accounts
- • Profit and Loss Account
- • Balance Sheet
Auditing
- • Meaning and Objectives of Audit
- • Types of Audit
- • Internal Audit
- • External Audit
- • Audit Evidence
- • Internal Control
- • Internal Check
- • Vouching
- • Verification
- • Audit Report
- • Errors and Frauds
Insurance
- • Meaning of Insurance
- • Principles of Insurance
- • Life Insurance
- • General Insurance
- • Health Insurance
- • Risk and Premium
- • Policy and Claim
- • IRDAI
- • Social Insurance
9. Current Events of National and International Importance
Current Affairs should be prepared regularly, with special emphasis on labour, employment, social security, economy, government schemes and major national and international developments.
UPSC EPFO APFC Syllabus – Subject-Wise Quick Revision
| Subject | Major Areas |
|---|---|
| General English | Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and sentence usage |
| Indian Culture & Heritage | Art, architecture, literature, dance, music and culture |
| Freedom Movements | 1857, Congress, Gandhian movements and revolutionary movements |
| Indian Economy | Growth, development, inflation, unemployment, fiscal and monetary policy |
| Governance & Constitution | Constitution, Parliament, Judiciary, constitutional bodies and governance |
| General Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environment |
| Computer Applications | Hardware, software, internet, networking and cybersecurity |
| Mathematics | Arithmetic, percentage, ratio, average, profit/loss, time/work |
| Statistics | Mean, median, mode, data interpretation and probability basics |
| Mental Ability | Reasoning, series, analogy, coding and logical reasoning |
| Industrial Relations | Trade unions, disputes, collective bargaining and labour welfare |
| Labour Codes | Four Labour Codes and their major provisions |
| Social Security | EPFO, PF, pension, insurance and social-security schemes |
| Accountancy | Accounting principles, journal, ledger, BRS and final accounts |
| Auditing | Audit principles, internal control, verification and audit report |
| Insurance | Insurance principles, life/general insurance and IRDAI |
| Current Affairs | National/international events, economy, labour and government schemes |
UPSC EPFO APFC Preparation Strategy
Priority 1 – Labour & Social Security
- • Labour Codes
- • Industrial Relations
- • Social Security
- • EPFO
- • Provident Fund
- • Pension
- • Insurance
- • Labour Welfare
Priority 2 – General Studies
- • Indian Constitution
- • Governance
- • Indian Economy
- • Freedom Movement
- • Indian Culture
- • General Science
Priority 3 – Accountancy & Insurance
- • Accounting Basics
- • Final Accounts
- • Auditing
- • Insurance Concepts
Priority 4 – Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning
- • Percentage
- • Ratio
- • Average
- • Profit & Loss
- • Time & Work
- • Time, Speed & Distance
- • Data Interpretation
- • Logical Reasoning
Priority 5 – Current Affairs
Prepare daily current affairs with special emphasis on national and international events, labour, employment, social security, economy, government schemes, EPFO-related developments, reports, indexes, science and technology and major government policies.
Final Preparation Tips
- Complete the Labour Codes and Social Security topics thoroughly.
- Revise Indian Polity, Economy, History and General Science regularly.
- Practise Mathematics and Mental Ability questions on a daily basis.
- Give special attention to EPFO, provident fund, pension and social-security concepts.
- Read current affairs regularly and maintain short revision notes.
- Attempt mock tests and previous-year questions to improve speed and accuracy.
Important Note
Candidates should always refer to the latest official UPSC notification for the final examination scheme and syllabus. The detailed preparation topics listed above are organized under the broad syllabus areas prescribed for the UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test.
Last updated on
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions related to UPSC EPFO APFC Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern – Check Complete Details.