UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 80 Posts
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially published Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) in the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. This recruitment drive aims to fill 80 permanent Group 'A' posts across India.The UPSC EPFO APFC position is one of the most prestigious administrative jobs in the central government sector, offering a high-status Group 'A' appointment in Pay Level-10. Candidates selected as Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners manage critical functions including enforcement, recovery, statutory inquiries, claim settlements, legal affairs, pension administration, and fund accounts.Eligible candidates holding a recognized bachelor's degree in any discipline can submit their applications online through the official UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal. The online registration window opened on 22nd August 2026 and will remain active until 11th September 2026 (18:00 HRS).Quick Overview Table
| Recruitment Parameter | Official Details |
| Recruitment Name | UPSC EPFO Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) Recruitment 2026 |
| Advertisement Number | Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 (Vacancy No. 26085201722) |
| Recruiting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| User Department | Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Ministry of Labour & Employment |
| Job Cadre & Rank | Central Board Group 'A', Non-Ministerial (Permanent) |
| Total Vacancies | 80 Posts |
| Application Mode | Online via UPSC ORA Portal |
| Registration Start Date | 22nd August 2026 |
| Registration Closing Date | 11th September 2026 (18:00 HRS) |
| Recruitment Test Date | 20th December 2026 |
| Headquarters & Duty | New Delhi (All India Service Liability) |
| Official Portal | upsconline.nic.in/ora
|
Important Dates
| Recruitment Event | Date / Schedule |
| Official Short Notice Release Date | 19th August 2026 |
| Detailed Notification Published | 21st August 2026 |
| Start Date of Online Application | 22nd August 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 11th September 2026 (Till 18:00 HRS) |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 11th September 2026 (Till 18:00 HRS) |
| Pen & Paper Recruitment Test (RT) Date | 20th December 2026 |
| e-Admit Card Issuance | 2 to 3 weeks prior to Exam Date |
| Interview / Personality Test Schedule | To be notified separately |
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee | Payment Mode |
| General / EWS / OBC (Male Candidates) | ₹25/- | Net Banking, Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card, or UPI |
| SC / ST Candidates | Nil (Exempted) | Not Applicable |
| PwBD Candidates | Nil (Exempted) | Not Applicable |
| All Female Candidates | Nil (Exempted) | Not Applicable |
Note: Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstance. Applications submitted without the prescribed fee will be summarily rejected.Age LimitThe crucial date for determining the age eligibility of all applicants is 11th September 2026 (the closing date of application).
- Unreserved (UR) / EWS Category: Maximum 35 years.
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Maximum 38 years.
- SC / ST Category: Maximum 40 years.
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Relaxable up to 10 years (Upper age ceiling: 56 years).
Category-Wise Upper Age Relaxation Summary
| Category | Permissible Age Relaxation | Maximum Age Limit |
| UR / EWS | Normal Standard | 35 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years | 38 Years |
| SC / ST | 5 Years | 40 Years |
| PwBD (UR / EWS) | 10 Years | 45 Years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 Years (10 + 3) | 48 Years |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 Years (10 + 5) | 50 Years |
| EPFO Regular Employees | Up to 5 Years | 40 Years |
| Central / UT Govt. Servants (3 yrs continuous service) | Up to 5 Years | 40 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen & Commissioned Officers | 5 Years | As per Govt Rules |
Vacancy DetailsThe total number of posts advertised for Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) is 80. Category-wise distribution is detailed below:
| Post Name | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total Posts |
| Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) | 29 | 08 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 80
|
*Out of 80 vacancies, 03 posts are horizontally reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) across sub-categories including Blindness/Low Vision (01), Deaf/Hard of Hearing (01), and Locomotor Disabilities (01).Educational QualificationEssential Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent institution.
Desirable Qualification
- Diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws, or Public Administration.
Note: No prior work experience is mandatory to apply for the post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner. Fresh graduates from any recognized stream (Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Management, Law, etc.) meeting the age requirements are fully eligible.Salary / Pay ScaleSelected candidates are inducted into Pay Level-10 in the Pay Matrix as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC).
- Pay Scale: Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500)
- Basic Entry Pay: ₹56,100 per month
- Gross Monthly Pay: Approximately ₹1,15,000+ (depending upon place of posting)
- Allowances & Benefits:
- Dearness Allowance (DA) as per central rules
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Transport Allowance (TA) with DA thereon
- Medical reimbursement & CGHS facilities
- New Pension Scheme (NPS) contribution
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC) and official transport benefits
Selection ProcessThe selection process for the UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment 2026 consists of a two-tier evaluation framework:
+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Stage 1: Pen & Paper Recruitment Test (RT) |
| - Total Marks: 300 Marks |
| - Weightage: 75% |
+-------------------------------------------------------+
|
v
+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Stage 2: Interview / Personality Test |
| - Total Marks: 100 Marks |
| - Weightage: 25% |
+-------------------------------------------------------+
- Stage 1: Pen & Paper Recruitment Test (RT): An offline objective-type test conducted to shortlist candidates for the interview round.
- Stage 2: Interview / Personality Test: Personal interview carrying 100 marks conducted at UPSC office in New Delhi.
Minimum Suitability Marks in Interview (Out of 100)
- General / EWS: 50 Marks
- OBC: 45 Marks
- SC / ST / PwBD: 40 Marks
The overall final merit list is prepared by combining marks obtained in the Recruitment Test and Interview in a 75:25 ratio.Exam Pattern
| Parameter | Details |
| Exam Mode | Offline Pen & Paper Test (OMR Sheet) |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Question Type | Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Medium of Exam | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd (0.33) marks deducted for every incorrect response |
| Unanswered Questions | No penalty / deduction |
SyllabusThe official syllabus for the UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test broadly covers the following nine major subject domains:
- General English: Evaluates candidates' understanding of the English language, grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, and workman-like use of words.
- Indian Culture, Heritage, and Freedom Movements: Indian national movement, cultural heritage, architecture, literature, and social reforms.
- Developmental Issues and Present Trends in Indian Economy: Economic growth, inflation, monetary & fiscal policies, poverty, unemployment, infrastructure, and globalization.
- Governance and Constitution of India: Political system, Indian Constitution, fundamental rights, directive principles, judiciary, statutory bodies, and executive administration.
- General Science and Basic Knowledge of Computer Applications: Everyday scientific principles, fundamentals of hardware/software, database management, cyber security, and internet applications.
- Elementary Mathematics, Statistics, and General Mental Ability: Quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, measures of central tendency, logical reasoning, and analytical capability.
- Industrial Relations, Labour Codes, and Social Security in India: Trade unions, industrial disputes, New Labour Codes, EPFO/ESIC schemes, and social security legislation in India.
- Principles of Accountancy, Auditing, and Insurance: Basics of financial accounting, double-entry bookkeeping, trial balance, auditing standards, risk management, and insurance fundamentals.
- Current Events of National and International Importance: Major national developments, global affairs, international organizations, awards, schemes, and policy updates.
How to ApplyFollow these step-by-step instructions to fill out your online application form on the UPSC ORA portal:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal at upsconline.nic.in/ora/.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR): If you are a new applicant, click on "New Registration" to fill in your basic details and generate a Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Log In: Log in using your registered Email ID, Mobile Number, or URN along with your password/OTP.
- Fill Common Application Form (CAF): Complete your personal details, educational qualifications, address, and category details.
- Upload Live Photo & Signature:
- Upload a clear photograph and capture a live photograph during application filling.
- Sign three times vertically on plain white paper using black ink and upload the scanned copy.
- Select Vacancy & Exam Centre: Select Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) under Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 and choose your preferred exam center from the 84 available cities.
- Pay Application Fee: Pay ₹25 online using Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI (exempted categories can skip this step).
- Submit & Print: Verify all details in the preview module, lock the form, and download/print the final application receipt for future reference.
Required Documents ChecklistEnsure you have scanned PDF copies of the following documents ready before filling out the online application:
- [ ] 10th Standard / Matriculation Certificate or Marksheet (indicating Date of Birth)
- [ ] Degree Certificate or Final Provisional Certificate with semester marksheets
- [ ] Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL in prescribed Government of India proforma)
- [ ] EWS Income and Asset Certificate (if applicable)
- [ ] Disability Certificate issued by a competent Medical Board for PwBD applicants
- [ ] Valid Government Photo ID Card details (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Driving License)
- [ ] No Objection Certificate (NOC) / Declaration for regular government employees
- [ ] Discharge Certificate for Ex-Servicemen candidates
- [ ] Gazette Notification / Marriage Certificate / Affidavit (if claiming name change post-matriculation)
Important Instructions
- All India Service Liability: The post carries All India Service liability. Candidates can be posted anywhere across India.
- Exam Centre Allocation: Exam centers are allotted on a "First-Apply-First-Allot" basis (except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, and Nagpur). Apply early to secure your preferred city.
- OMR Answering Rule: Candidates must use a Black Ball Pen only to fill in responses and details on the OMR sheet.
- Face Authentication: Mandatory face authentication and identity verification will take place at all exam venues.
- No Application Withdrawal: Once submitted, applications cannot be withdrawn or modified.
Important Links Table
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the total number of vacancies in UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment 2026?
There are 80 permanent Group 'A' vacancies for the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner post.
2. What is the last date to apply online for UPSC APFC 2026?
The last date to submit online applications on UPSC ORA is 11th September 2026 by 18:00 HRS (6:00 PM).
3. What is the date of the UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test?
The Pen & Paper Based Recruitment Test (RT) will be conducted on 20th December 2026.
4. Is there any work experience required for the APFC post?
No, no prior work experience is required. Candidates holding a degree in any discipline are eligible.
5. What is the upper age limit for Unreserved category candidates?
The upper age limit is 35 years as of 11th September 2026.
6. What is the application fee for female and SC/ST candidates?
Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are completely exempted from paying the application fee.
7. What is the pay scale for an Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner in EPFO?
APFC is a Level-10 Group 'A' post under the 7th CPC with an entry basic pay of ₹56,100 per month.
8. What is the selection ratio between Written Test and Interview?
The weightage ratio between the Recruitment Test (RT) and the Interview is 75:25.
9. Is there negative marking in the UPSC APFC Recruitment Test?
Yes, there is a penalty of 1/3rd (0.33) marks for every incorrect answer.
10. Can candidates from any state apply for this recruitment?
Yes, any eligible Indian citizen meeting the criteria can apply. The post carries All India Service Liability.