The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) exam is a competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for the posts of Enforcement Officer (EO) and Account Officer (AO) in the EPFO.
Overview

The EPFO exam is a highly competitive exam, and the selection ratio is very low. However, candidates who prepare well and have a good understanding of the syllabus and the exam pattern have a good chance of success.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the EPFO exam, a candidate must:
- Be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India.
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Be between the ages of 18 and 30 years for the Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) post and between the ages of 18 and 35 years for the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) post.
- Have two years of experience in Administration/Accounts/Legal Matters in any Government/Private organization for the APFC post.
Exam Pattern
Stage | Type | Duration | Marks | Weightage |
---|---|---|---|---|
Written Test | Objective (MCQ) | 2 hours | 300 | 75% |
Interview | Personal Interview | 30 minutes | 100 | 25% |
Application Process
EPFO Exam Application Process
The EPFO exam application process is conducted online by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). To apply for the exam, candidates must first register themselves on the UPSC website. Once registered, candidates can fill out the online application form and pay the required application fee.
The application process usually opens in February and closes in March. The exact dates are announced by the UPSC on its website.
Syllabus
The EPFO exam syllabus is divided into two parts:
- Part I: General English
- Part II: General Knowledge
The General English syllabus covers topics such as grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and composition. The General Knowledge syllabus covers topics such as:
- Indian Freedom Struggle
- Current Events and Developmental Issues
- Indian Polity and Economy
- General Accounting Principles
- Industrial Relations and Labour Laws
- Social Security in India
- General Mental Ability and Quantitative Aptitude
- General Science and Knowledge of Computer Applications
Important Dates
Event | Date |
---|---|
Admit Card Release | June 14, 2023 |
Exam Date | July 2, 2023 |
EO Shift Timing | 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM |
APFC Shift Timing | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
Tips for Exam Preparation
Here are some EPFO exam preparing tips:
- Understand the exam pattern and syllabus. The first step in preparing for any exam is to understand the exam pattern and syllabus. This will help you focus your preparation on the right areas. The EPFO exam consists of four sections: General English, General Knowledge, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude.
- Read and study the recommended books and materials. There are many books and materials available to help you prepare for the EPFO exam. Choose a few that are well-written and cover all the topics in the syllabus.
- Practice previous year question papers and mock tests. Practicing previous year question papers and mock tests is one of the best ways to prepare for the EPFO exam. This will help you get familiar with the types of questions asked, the exam pattern, and the time limit.
- Improve your time management skills. The EPFO exam is a timed exam, so it is important to improve your time management skills. Practice solving questions under timed conditions so that you can learn to complete the exam on time.
- Stay updated with current affairs. The EPFO exam also includes a section on general knowledge, so it is important to stay updated with current affairs. Read newspapers and magazines regularly, and watch news channels.
FEES
Category | Exam Fee (INR) |
---|---|
General | 25 |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | Exempted |
SC/ST/PWD | Exempted |
Women | Exempted |
Ex-Servicemen | Exempted |
FAQ?
The EPFO Exam is a competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for the posts of Enforcement Officer (EO) and Accounts Officer (AO) in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
The syllabus for the EPFO Exam is available on the UPSC website. The syllabus for Paper 2 varies depending on the post the candidate is applying for (EO or AO).
The AIBE is a 3-hour, 30-minute, multiple-choice exam. The exam is divided into two sections:
- Section I: General Law (50 questions)
- Section II: Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, and Legal Method (50 questions)
The EPFO Exam is held in various cities across India. The exam centers are allotted to candidates on a random basis.
Conclusion
The interview round is conducted for candidates who qualify in the written exam. The interview carries a weightage of 25%, while the written exam carries a weightage of 75%. The final merit list is prepared based on the performance of the candidate in both the written exam and the interview.
The EPFO exam is a highly competitive exam, and the cutoff marks are generally high. To succeed in the exam, candidates need to have a strong foundation in the basics of all the subjects covered in the syllabus. They also need to be able to manage their time effectively and solve questions accurately under pressure.