The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the commencement of the recruitment process for 230 vacancies in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The recruitment notification, released on July 29, 2025, invites applications for two major posts—Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC).
According to the official notification, the total number of vacancies includes 159 posts for EO/AO and 71 posts for APFC. Interested candidates can now apply online by visiting the official website of UPSC at upsconline.nic.in. The application process began at 12:00 PM on July 29, 2025, and will remain open until 11:59 PM on August 18, 2025. No offline or late applications will be entertained under any circumstances.
Candidates applying for the EO/AO position must not exceed the age limit of 30 years as of the final date of application, while the age limit for the APFC position is 35 years. However, age relaxations are applicable for candidates belonging to reserved categories. OBC candidates are eligible for a three-year relaxation, while SC and ST candidates can avail of a five-year relaxation. Candidates from the PwBD category are eligible for a relaxation of up to ten years, depending on the post.
The minimum educational qualification required for both posts is a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institution. No specific work experience is required to apply. However, knowledge of labour laws, social security, and industrial relations will be considered beneficial during the selection process.
The selection procedure comprises a two-stage assessment, starting with a written recruitment test (RT), followed by a personal interview. The written exam will be conducted in offline mode and will carry a maximum of 300 marks. It will include 120 multiple-choice questions to be completed within a two-hour duration. Each correct answer will carry 2.5 marks, while one-third of a mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer due to negative marking.
Only those candidates who qualify the written exam based on the cut-off marks will be shortlisted for the interview stage. The interview will carry a weightage of 100 marks. As per UPSC norms, minimum qualifying marks in the interview are 50 for General category candidates, 45 for OBC candidates, and 40 for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories. The final merit list will be prepared by combining the scores of both the written exam and the interview.
The syllabus for the EO/AO and APFC exams is comprehensive and includes a wide range of subjects. These include general English, current affairs, Indian polity and governance, economic and social development, labour laws, industrial relations, quantitative aptitude, mental ability, general science, computer knowledge, and accounting principles. UPSC has advised candidates to prepare thoroughly across all topics to secure a position in the highly competitive recruitment process.
The EO/AO post is a Group B non-ministerial position, and selected candidates will be placed at Level 8 of the pay matrix under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The salary for this post ranges from ₹47,600 to ₹1,51,100 per month, excluding additional allowances and benefits. The APFC post, on the other hand, is classified as Group A and falls under Level 10 of the pay matrix. The salary scale for APFC ranges from ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month. Candidates selected for either post will be required to undergo a two-year probationary period.
The online application process requires candidates to complete a one-time registration (OTR) on the UPSC portal. Once registered, candidates must log in and complete both Part I and Part II of the application. In Part I, candidates must enter personal details, educational qualifications, and exam preferences. In Part II, candidates are required to upload scanned copies of their photograph, signature, and identity documents. After completing the form, the application fee must be paid online using credit card, debit card, or net banking options.
The application fee for General, OBC, and EWS male candidates is ₹25. However, female candidates and those belonging to SC, ST, or PwBD categories are exempted from paying the fee. UPSC has urged candidates to review the detailed notification carefully before submission. Once the form is submitted, no corrections will be allowed. Applicants are also advised to retain a printed copy of the application form and payment receipt for future reference.
UPSC has also warned candidates against submitting multiple applications. If a candidate submits more than one application, the application with the higher registration number and complete details will be considered valid. Incomplete applications will be rejected without any communication from the Commission.
The examination is tentatively scheduled to be held in November 2025, though the exact date will be announced later. Admit cards for the written exam will be released approximately three weeks before the exam date. These will be made available only through the official UPSC website. No admit cards will be sent by post or email.
The posts of EO/AO and APFC play an important role in implementing the social security schemes under the EPFO. The EO/AO is responsible for enforcement of compliance, inspections, recovery of arrears, and grievance redressal. The APFC role includes higher-level responsibilities such as policy interpretation, legal proceedings, monitoring fund operations, and ensuring regulatory oversight in line with the EPF Act, 1952.
Candidates applying for these roles must be ready for postings across India. Job responsibilities may require regular interaction with employers, workers, trade unions, and government departments. The nature of duties may involve both fieldwork and desk assignments.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to keep visiting the UPSC website regularly for any updates regarding the examination schedule, changes in instructions, or announcements related to admit cards and results. Any new circulars or corrigenda will be uploaded exclusively on the UPSC website, and no separate notifications will be issued by post.
The UPSC EPFO recruitment 2025 is expected to attract a high number of applicants given the nature of the posts, career growth opportunities, and competitive salary structure. Candidates are advised to start their preparation early and focus on both the written exam and interview to improve their chances of selection.
The EPFO, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, is one of India’s largest social security organisations, managing retirement savings of millions of workers. Its enforcement and administrative functions require efficient officers capable of handling regulatory compliance, legal frameworks, and benefit disbursement systems.
This recruitment drive is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen public service delivery through transparent and merit-based selection. With only 230 vacancies available nationwide, the competition is expected to be intense.
