The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Ministry of Labour & Employment.
A total of 80 vacancies have been announced. The selection will be through a Recruitment Test (RT) followed by Interview. The Recruitment Test is scheduled for 20 December 2026.
UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Department/Organization | Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Labour & Employment |
| Post Name | Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) |
| Advertisement No. | Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 |
| Vacancy No. | 26085201722 |
| Total Vacancies | 80 |
| Post Type | Permanent |
| Service | Central Board Group-A, Non-Ministerial |
| Pay Level | Level-10 as per 7th CPC |
| Job Location | All India |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 22 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 11 September 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Recruitment Test Date | 20 December 2026 |
| Selection Process | Recruitment Test + Interview |
| Official Website | UPSC |
UPSC EPFO APFC Vacancy 2026
There are 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner vacancies.
Category-wise Vacancy
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 29 |
| EWS | 8 |
| OBC | 18 |
| SC | 15 |
| ST | 10 |
| Total | 80 |
Out of the 80 vacancies, 3 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
PwBD Reservation
| PwBD Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Blindness & Low Vision | 1 |
| Deaf & Hard of Hearing | 1 |
| Locomotor Disability | 1 |
| Total | 3 |
The notification specifies the categories of disabilities considered suitable for the post. Candidates with benchmark disability must meet the prescribed disability requirements.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UPSC APFC Notification | 22 August 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 22 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 11 September 2026 |
| Closing Time | 6:00 PM |
| Recruitment Test | 20 December 2026 |
| Interview Date | To be announced separately |
The date for determining eligibility is the closing date of the online application, i.e. 11 September 2026.
UPSC EPFO APFC Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
The maximum age limit is:
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 35 Years |
| OBC | 38 Years |
| SC / ST | 40 Years |
| PwBD | Up to 56 Years, subject to applicable conditions |
The notification provides further age relaxations for various categories including Ex-Servicemen, Central Government employees, EPFO employees and PwBD candidates.
Additional Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Ex-Servicemen / Commissioned Officers | 5 years |
| Central/UT Government Employees | Up to 5 years |
| EPFO Employees | Up to 5 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| SC/ST PwBD | Up to 15 years |
| OBC PwBD | Up to 13 years |
For PwBD candidates, the maximum age cannot exceed 56 years, subject to the conditions prescribed in the notification.
Educational Qualification
Essential Qualification
Candidates must possess:
A Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.
Thus, the minimum educational qualification is Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent qualification.
Desirable Qualification
The following qualification is desirable:
Diploma in:
- Company Law
- Labour Laws
- Public Administration
The UPSC may relax the prescribed qualification in appropriate cases for candidates who are otherwise well qualified.
Work Experience
No specific work experience is prescribed as an essential qualification for the APFC post in this advertisement.
However, the UPSC may use relevant experience and higher qualifications as part of its shortlisting criteria if the number of applications is large.
The Commission may shortlist candidates based on factors such as:
- Desirable qualifications
- Higher educational qualifications
- Higher relevant experience
- Other prescribed shortlisting criteria
- Recruitment Test performance
Therefore, candidates should mention all relevant qualifications and experience above the minimum requirement in the application.
UPSC EPFO APFC Salary
The post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner carries:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-10 |
| Pay Commission | 7th CPC |
| Service | Central Board Group-A, Non-Ministerial |
| Status | Equivalent to Group-A of Central Government at corresponding pay level |
The post is permanent.
Job Profile / Duties of APFC
The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner is responsible for various statutory and administrative functions of EPFO.
The duties include:
- Enforcement
- Recovery
- Accounts
- Administration
- Cash
- Legal work
- Pension-related work
- Computer-related functions
- Conducting inquiries
- Settlement of claims
- General administration
- Maintenance of Cash Book
- Reconciliation of Bank Statements
- MIS returns and related work
Probation Period
The probation period for the post is:
1 Year
Job Location / Posting
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Posting | Anywhere in India |
| Service Liability | All India Service Liability |
Selected officers may be required to serve in any part of India.
UPSC EPFO APFC Selection Process
The selection process consists of:
Stage 1 – Recruitment Test (RT)
A Pen & Paper Based Recruitment Test will be conducted by UPSC.
Stage 2 – Interview
Candidates will be shortlisted for interview based on the Recruitment Test and information provided in their online applications.
Final Selection
The prescribed weightage is:
| Stage | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment Test | 300 | 75% |
| Interview | 100 | 25% |
| Total | 400 | 100% |
UPSC EPFO APFC Exam Pattern 2026
The Recruitment Test will be:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | Objective Type |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Mode | Pen & Paper Based |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Medium | English & Hindi |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 of marks assigned to the question |
| Question Marks | All questions carry equal marks |
There will be negative marking. For every wrong answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
There is no penalty for an unanswered question.
APFC Recruitment Test Syllabus
The UPSC notification specifies the following broad areas:
| No. | Subject / Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | General English |
| 2 | Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movements |
| 3 | Developmental Issues and Present Trends in Indian Economy |
| 4 | Governance and Constitution of India |
| 5 | General Science and Basic Knowledge of Computer Applications |
| 6 | Elementary Mathematics, Statistics and General Mental Ability |
| 7 | Industrial Relations, Labour Codes and Social Security in India |
| 8 | Principles of Accountancy, Auditing and Insurance |
| 9 | Current Events of National and International Importance |
Detailed Understanding of the Syllabus
General English:
Tests understanding of the English language and workman-like use of words.
Indian Culture, Heritage & Freedom Movement:
Questions related to Indian culture, heritage and India’s freedom struggle.
Indian Economy:
Developmental issues and present trends in the Indian economy.
Governance & Constitution:
Indian Constitution and governance-related topics.
General Science & Computer:
General science and basic knowledge of computer applications.
Mathematics, Statistics & Mental Ability:
Elementary mathematics, statistics and general mental ability.
Industrial Relations & Labour Laws:
Industrial relations, Labour Codes and social security in India.
Accountancy, Auditing & Insurance:
Basic principles of accountancy, auditing and insurance.
Current Affairs:
National and international current events.
Recruitment Test + Interview Weightage
The final selection weightage is particularly important:
Recruitment Test : Interview = 75 : 25
The Recruitment Test carries 300 marks, while the Interview carries 100 marks.
Interview Qualifying Standards
| Category | Minimum Interview Marks |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50/100 |
| OBC | 45/100 |
| SC/ST/PwBD | 40/100 |
Recruitment Test Centre
The Recruitment Test will be conducted at 84 centres across India.
Some major centres include:
- Delhi
- Dispur
- Guwahati/Jorhat region as specified
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Lucknow
- Patna
- Pune
- Ahmedabad
- Bhubaneswar
- Chandigarh
- Kochi
- Shillong
- Srinagar
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Varanasi
- Visakhapatnam
- and other notified centres.
The complete list contains 84 examination centres. Centre allotment is on a first-apply-first-allot basis for centres subject to capacity, except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS Male | ₹25 |
| SC | ₹0 |
| ST | ₹0 |
| PwBD | ₹0 |
| Female Candidates | ₹0 |
The fee can be paid through Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI or Internet Banking.
The notification specifically states that there is no fee exemption for OBC/EWS/Unreserved male candidates.
How to Apply for UPSC EPFO APFC 2026
Candidates have to apply online through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal.
Steps to Apply
- Visit the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal.
- Create/register your account.
- Complete the Universal Registration Number (URN) profile.
- Complete the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Select the APFC recruitment vacancy.
- Fill in educational, personal and other details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Upload photograph/live photograph as instructed.
- Upload the required signature.
- Pay the applicable application fee.
- Submit the application.
- Take a printout of the finally submitted application.
Candidates should keep their URN and Application Number safely for future communication.
Documents Required
Candidates may be required to provide documentary proof of claims including:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 10th/Matriculation Certificate | Date of Birth |
| Degree Certificate | Educational Qualification |
| Mark Sheets | Educational Qualification where applicable |
| Experience Certificate | If claiming experience |
| SC/ST Certificate | Reservation |
| OBC Certificate & Declaration | OBC reservation |
| PwBD Certificate | Disability reservation/benefits |
| Age Relaxation Certificate | Where applicable |
| Other supporting documents | Relevant claims |
Experience certificates, where applicable, should contain details such as duration of employment, pay and nature of duties performed.
Important Points for Candidates
- The last date to apply is 11 September 2026 at 6:00 PM.
- Eligibility will be determined as on the closing date of the application.
- The Recruitment Test will be held on 20 December 2026.
- The Recruitment Test is 2 hours long.
- The RT carries 300 marks.
- There is 1/3 negative marking for each wrong answer.
- The exam is conducted in English and Hindi.
- Final weightage is 75% RT + 25% Interview.
- The post is Group-A, Non-Ministerial.
- The post is permanent.
- There is no mandatory experience requirement mentioned for the post.
- The minimum educational qualification is graduation.
- The headquarters is New Delhi, but the post carries All India Service liability.
- Candidates should submit applications well before the closing date.
- Applications cannot be withdrawn after submission.
- No correction/modification is permitted after submission.
- Candidates called for interview must produce the required original documents and certificates.
UPSC EPFO APFC 2026 – Quick Summary
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Post | Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner |
| Organization | EPFO |
| Recruiting Body | UPSC |
| Vacancies | 80 |
| Qualification | Graduation |
| Experience | Not prescribed |
| Age | 35 Years (UR/EWS) |
| OBC Age | 38 Years |
| SC/ST Age | 40 Years |
| PwBD Maximum | Up to 56 Years |
| Pay Level | Level-10 |
| Application Start | 22 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 11 September 2026 |
| Exam Date | 20 December 2026 |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| RT Marks | 300 |
| Interview Marks | 100 |
| Final Weightage | 75% RT + 25% Interview |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark assigned to question |
| Application Fee | ₹25 / Nil for exempted categories |
| Job Location | All India |
| Probation | 1 Year |
Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | UPSC Online Recruitment Application Portal |
| Official Notification | Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 |
| Official UPSC Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Recruitment Portal | upsconline.nic.in/ora/ |
The application portal specified in the notification is the UPSC Online Recruitment Application website.
Source: UPSC Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 for Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO. All information above is structured from the attached official notification.
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Apply Here | Click Here |
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