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In case you are training to join the UPSC EPFO 2025 recruitment of Enforcement Officer / Accounts Officer (EO/AO) or Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC), this is the article you have to stop at. I will take you through the formal exam format, content-by-subject examination syllabus, the admit card provisions and download procedure, on-examination conditions, grading and selection weightage, PwBD provisions, a realistic study plan and study planning tips that you can employ during the last lap. All the details below are taken straight off the official UPSC advert, as well as the admit card notices, and thus can be counted on.
On the surface the fundamentals that you need to know
- Post: Enforcement Officer/ Accounts Officer (EO/AO) and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC).
- Vacancies: 156 EO/AO, 74 APFC, 230 in total.
- Mode of test: Offline, pen-and-paper OMR based Combined Recruitment Test (CRT).
- Exam date: 30 November 2025, 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM (forenoon session).
- Admit card: Admit cards were issued online by UPSC five days ahead of the test and news web outlets had prosecuted the activation of admit card on 24 November 2025. The official Upsc site should always be used to download.
- Test duration: In CRT, the total marks are 300, interview 100, final total 400. The normal ratio weightage between RT and Interview is 75:25.
Pattern and strategy of examination and evaluation — noting requirements
The Combined Recruitment Test is an objective multiple choice test. Here are the key technicals:
- Total marks (CRT): 300 marks.
- Number of questions: According to the official sources and exam overviews, the quantity of questions will be 120 questions with several marks attached to each question so that the total numbers will reach 300. Mark on your test at the centre in the correct places under each question.
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes).
- Medium: English and Hindi.
- Negative marking: 1/3 marks will be taken against any wrong reply. In case no response is indicated, no penalty.
- Final selection: Marks obtained in CRT (300) and Interview (100) are added, typically weighted at 75:25. CRT performance and eligibility checks are used to shortlist to interview.
A little observation: UPSC might print the correct number of questions and marks in each question on the test booklet and instructions on OMR at the venue, and hence read them immediately when you get them.
Syllabus — study of the subject matter (what to study)
UPSC has listed a broad, nine-part syllabus for the recruitment test. Below I expand each topic with practical subtopics you must cover.
1. General English
Purpose: to determine reading comprehension, good grammar and correct application of English.
Topics to cover:
- Passages and questions passages in reading comprehension.
- Words: synonyms and antonym, one-word replacement.
- Sentence improvement, error detection and correction.
- Cloze tests and para jumbles
- Simple grammar: Equivalent verb tenses, prepositions, voting, articles.
2. Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movements
Purpose: check the knowledge of socio-cultural history and struggle of freedom in India.
Topics to cover:
- Significant cultural movements and cultural heritage sites.
- The leaders and events of the revolt of 1857.
- Major sessions and resolutions of Indian National Congress.
- Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India, the movements by Gandhi.
- Innocence International Army, history, and biography Subhas Chandra Bose contributions.
3. The Developmental Problems and the Current Trends in Indian Economy
Purpose: investigate knowledge on macro and micro economic trends as pertaining to policy and welfare.
Topics to cover:
- Introduction to macroeconomics: GDP, inflation, the fundamentals of fiscal deficit, the fundamentals of monetary policy.
- Existing significant government initiatives and welfare programs.
- Main industries: agriculture, manufacturing, services.
- Poverty, unemployment indicators and measures of development.
- Recent budget emphasizes and finance commission suggestions.
4. Indian Government and Indian Constitution
Purpose: examine familiarity with the provisions of the constitution, structures and issues of governance.
Topics to cover:
- The most important thing, the basic system of the Constitution, the basic rights and obligations.
- Articles of importance of the constitution, Parliament, State Legislature.
- Local governance and perpanchayati Raj.
- Centre state relations, emergency provisions.
- Great constitutional transformations and Supreme Court rulings that affect government.
5. General Science and Introductory Computer Applications
Purpose: examine general scientific knowledge, and minimum computer literacy to work in an office.
Topics to cover:
- Physics, chemistry and biology subjects of general awareness sections in grade schools.
- Introductory computer knowledge: Software, Hardware, operating systems.
- MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint basics and shortcuts that would help you at the workplace.
- Internet basics, e-mail manners and general cyber security.
6. Elementary Mathematics,Mental Ability and Statistics
Python: test mathematics and logical skill in work in administration.
Topics to cover:
- Arithmetic percentages, ratios, averages, profit and loss, simple and compound interest.
- Algebra: fundamental equations, simplification.
- Basic probability, median, mode, mean, statistics.
- Time and work, time and distance, mixtures and allegations.
- Logical puzzles refugees: sitting position, blood, syllogism-data analysis.
7. Industrial Relations, Social Security and Labour Laws in India
Purpose: this is an essential topic of EPFO jobs, and the inquiries here will be more probing.
Topics to cover:
- Labour laws: Trade Unions, basics of the Industrial Disputes Act, Minimum Wages Act.
- Employees State Insurance Act, Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act (EPF) basic and objectives.
- Workmen Compensation, Maternity Benefit, Contract Labour Regulation Act.
- Social security plans: EPFO operations, ESIC, pension plans and new policy developments.
8. Accountancy, Auditing and Insurance Principles
Test accountancy: background relevant to EO/AO posts.
Topics to cover:
- Elementary accounting principles and concepts.
- Simple financial statements preparation, ledger posting and trial balance.
- Basics of internal control and auditing.
- The fundamentals of insurance, calculation of premium, claims.
9. The most recent News Items of National and International Significance
Purpose: assess your level of familiarity with such modern things.
What to follow:
- Crucial decisions and policies by the government.
- Economy, international processes, great conferences and agreements.
- Science and technology news, big prizes and sport activities.
These nine heads represent administrative coupled with subject-specific knowledge that the UPSC requires when hiring to EPFO. The official advert states the same syllabus, thus, give concern to industrial relations, social security, accounts and general ability.
Admit card- download instructions and observations
The UPSC publishes e-Admit cards in its site. The admit card of the EPFO exam was said to be activated five days prior to the test in 2025, and the news channels also confirmed that it was available sometime in 24 November 2025. The official UPSC site should be used to do downloads.
How to download
- Visit the official web site of UPSC which is upsc.gov.in.
- Go to the Admit cards/ running examinations.
- Get the connection of EPFO EO/ AO and APFC e-Admit Card 2025.
- Enter the Registration ID /Roll Number and Date of Birth.
- Download the admit card and ensure that you take at least two printouts that are easy to read.
Checks to be done after download
- Name, Candidate roll number and photograph. In case of blurred photo, UPSC requests one to bring two passport sized photos in addition to a written commitment.
- Exam time and reporting time, exam centre. The official announcement is that one has to report 90 minutes prior to the test and the entry is closed 30 minutes before start time.
- Any special instructions to the PwBD candidates or scribing arrangements, should there be any.
In case of discrepancies, communicate with UPSC as soon as possible with the help of the contact details on the site. In case of mistakes in the admit cards, UPSC can post corrected cards in case such mistakes are reported in time.
Exam-day regulations -these are the basics to stay out of disqualification
The admit card notice and instructions by UPSC are not lenient. The following are the best regulations that you have to follow:
- Bring the e-Admit Card that has been printed and a valid photo ID document (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence). No admit card, no entry.
- Reporting time: Arrive 90 minutes prior to the beginning of test. It will close entry 30 minutes prior to commencement.
- Black ballpoint pen only: black ballpoint is to be used in marking responses in the OMR. Bring extra pens.
- No electronic devices: there is no prohibition of mobile phones, smart watches, calculators and other gadgets. Bags and valuables should not be carried as the commission will not offer any storage space.
- Rough work: rough work should be done on the space that is available in the test booklet. Write nowhere other than the OMR.
- Do not leave the hall early: you would not usually be permitted to leave before the time is due, and no toilet breaks are admissible in the last 30 minutes. There will be an official with you to the toilet and inspecting any prohibited items.
- OMR care: folding or mutilating of the OMR sheet should not be done and Roll Number and Booklet Series are to be coded carefully. Mistakes in coding can be rejected.
In case you are PwBD, and have scribe or compensatory time, carry necessary medical certificates and use the pro forma that is given on Annexure. UBSC offers scribe facility on specified terms.
PwBD applicants: compensatory and scribe time
According to the RPwD Act, 2016, UPSc accommodates Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD). Key points:
- Blindness, cerebral palsy, and locomotor disability of both arms is expressly qualified as a scribe and compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour, meaning 40 minutes of a two hour test. The other categories can be allowed to have the same amenities provided that a certain medical certificate is submitted with the application.
- Those intending to employ a scribe have the option of carrying their own scribe upon revealing the information or asking the scribe of UPSC according to the proforma as mentioned in the advertisement. The qualification of the scribe will not be more than the minimum qualification in exam.
In case you belong to this group, you must make sure that your supporting certificates are authentic and adhere to the very same format of uploading and submitting certificates as specified in the advertisement of UPSC.
Scales and cut-offs their expectations
UPSC predetermines minimum suitability standards of interviews and final merit cuts. In the case of EPFO 2025, the criterion of interview suitability was mentioned as:
- General / EWS: 50 and above
- OBC: 45 and above (relaxed)
- SC / ST: 40 and above (relaxed)
- PwBD: 40 and above (relaxed)
Ultimate cut-offs will be based on complexity of the paper, the number of candidates, the vacancies and normalization procedure, where applicable. Keep in mind that the interview has only a 25 percent weight in it, but can either make or break close cases.
Checking documents and interview
Making the shortlist following the CRT is temporary. Prior to the interview, UPSC will also examine the documents of the shortlisted candidates. In case some ineligibility or discrepancy is found subsequently, then the candidature may be cancelled. Have other documents, such as originals and PDF of your educational certificates, caste or disability certificates and identification proofs.
During the interview, it will ask questions about:
- Educational qualifications and other work experience, as applicable.
- The participation of labour laws and social security, particularly, EPFO roles and responsibilities.
- Relevant economic and governance issues to the post.
- Administrative temperament and skill in communication Assessed as situational questions.
Wear business clothes, be succinct in responses and provide examples where necessary.
Strategic preparation plan — 8 weeks of training you can take
In case of limited time, give attention to high yield fields: Industrial relations, social security, accounts and mental ability. The following is a work plan of the remaining eight weeks.
Weeks 1–2: Syllabus and foundation coverage
- Read the concerned chapters about labour laws and EPF, ESIC. Pay attention to goals and most important parts.
- Restate simple concepts and practice simple ledger, trial balance questions of accountancy.
- Solve 10-15 reason and arithmetic problems on a daily basis.
Weeks 3–4: Run together existing affairs and governance
- Summary of current affairs on weekly basis with economic, labour, social security and governance information.
- Modify fundamental Constitution and local government issues.
- Introduce full length sectional practice tests on English comprehension.
Weeks 5–6: Mock assessment and time management
- Complete 2 exam papers in a full length in a timed test per week. Analyze mistakes carefully.
- Practice OMR filling and marking speed so as not to make careless errors.
- Pay attention to improvement in accuracy in order to reduce negative marking.
Weeks 7–8: Last revising and refining of strategy
- Flashcards and short notes on fast revision of laws, schemes, accounting formulas and important dates.
- Take one full mock every 3 days. Pacing practice, trying to select and negative marking strategy.
- Spend the day before the exam, relax, check admit card and documents, have a good night sleep.
Trying the paper - helpful hints on day of the test
- The instructions and the booklet cover should be read first. Confirm booklet series, roll number are equal to the OMR encoding fields.
- Give a brief scan of the paper to determine simple questions, average questions and time consuming questions. Attempt the easy ones first.
- Mark responds by simply blackening the entire circle using black ballpoint pen. Avoid stray marks on OMR.
- Avoid guesswork. It is only in cases where you can exclude at least one or two choices that you should guess because of one-third negative marking.
- Keep track of time. The goal would be to complete simple parts and have time to deal with harder questions. Reserve the final 10 minutes to verify the bubbles and make sure that you encode the Roll Number.
After the test — what to expect
- Answers and scores: Upsc does not necessarily release unofficial keys of such recruitment tests immediately but you can anticipate announcement of results after evaluation and normalization processes are finished. Expected cut-offs are common with the news portals and coaching sites.
- Shortlisting and verification: In case of short listing, you will be contacted with document verification and request of interview. Experts should have your original documents.
Most common queries
Q. Where are we supposed to download the admit card?
Obtained, by the authority of the UPSC, at its webpage under Admit Cms/ Active exams.
Q. What was the date of release of the admit card of 2025 exam?
The admit card link was activated on 24 November 2025, five days before the exam that was on 30 November 2025 according to news outlets. SIAD Alan is always authoritative on the UPSC site.
Q. What are the value of the marks of written test?
A Recruitment Test of 300 marks, and an interview of 100 marks. Final merit Maximum 400, RT normally weighs 75 percent.
Q. Is there negative marking?
Yes, one-third mark deducted for every wrong answer. There is no punishment in cases of not answered questions.
Q. Can I use a calculator?
No. Tablets such as calculators are prohibited at the test centre.
Last statement - Be simple and consistent
The EPFO of UPS is a combination of general ability and job-specific knowledge, where labour laws, social security and accountancy dominate the EO/AO and APFC positions. The exam is also competitive and is very manageable with a proper plan. Dwelling on the main themes that keep reoccurring in previous recruitment tests, discipline in OMR, and accuracy are the main things to focus on something to prevent negative marking. Get the admit card on the official site of UPSC and follow all directions. Proper planning and relaxed performance on exam day will give you far.