UPSC EPFO APFC Syllabus 2026, Check Latest Exam Pattern

The UPSC EPFO APFC Syllabus 2026 is an essential resource for candidates preparing for the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

The syllabus covers a wide range of subjects including General English, Indian Polity, Economy, Labour Laws, Social Security, General Science, Current Affairs, Accounting, Statistics, Auditing, and Insurance.

In this article, we have provided the complete UPSC APFC Syllabus, including the exam pattern, section-wise important topics to cover, interview details, preparation tips, and much more.

UPSC APFC Syllabus 2026

Candidates aiming for the UPSC APFC 2026 exam must have a comprehensive understanding of the latest syllabus and exam pattern to create an effective preparation strategy.

The recruitment drive is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to select eligible candidates for the post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner in the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFC). The written exam is followed by an interview round.

UPSC EPFO APFC Notification 2026 Out

UPSC EPFO APFC Syllabus: Overview

UPSC EPFO APFC Exam Pattern 2026

The UPSC APFC exam is conducted in an objective format, where each question is multiple choice. The paper is designed to test not just knowledge but also conceptual clarity and mental ability. Here’s what aspirants need to know:

• The exam will be of 2 hours duration
• It will be conducted in Bilingual mode – English & Hindi
• There will be negative marking of 1/3rd marks for each wrong answer.

EPFO APFC Syllabus 2026

To crack the UPSC APFC exam, knowing the syllabus is the first step. The exam tests your understanding of English, General Studies, Indian Economy, Labour Laws, Auditing, and more. Here’s a subject-wise breakdown to help you plan your preparation effectively. 

Syllabus for General English

• Parts of speech
• Structure of sentence
• Subject – verb agreement
• Verbs, tenses and modals
• Preposition, conjunction, articles
• Adjectives, adverbs, determiners
• Reading Comprehension
• Synonyms and antonyms
• Idioms and phrases
• One word substitution
• Rearrangement para jumbles
• Active-passive

Syllabus for General Science

• Physics: Units and measurements, Kinematics including distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration, Dynamics and Newton’s laws of motion, Electricity, Pressure and its applications, Light, Uniform circular motion and simple harmonic motion
• Space Technology: Satellities & orbits, Indian space program, Important space agencies of the world, Application of space technology
• Chemistry: Physical and chemical changes, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures, Atoms and molecules, Chemistry in daily life, Acids and bases, Energy – renewable and non-renewable, Metals and non-metal.
• Biology: Food components, Health and diseases, Cells and tissues, Organ systems – digestive systems, skeletal system, muscular system, reproductive system
• Important Technologies: Nuclear technology, Biotechnology, Information and communication technology, Nanotechnology

Syllabus for Social Security

• Social Security Schemes: types of retirements schemes, types of pension schemes
• Social Security schemes for: women, LGBTQ+, children, elderly, PWD, Tribals, Labour
• Social Security Legislations: Employee compensation act, 1923 Employees’ state insurance act, 1948, Maternity benefit act, 1961, Payment of gratuity act, 1972, Unorganised workers social security act, 2008

Syllabus for Industrial Relations and Labour Laws and Insurance

• Industrial Relations: Overview, Indian labour force, Evolution & theories, Trade union, Industrial conflict, labour welfare, Wages, Workers participation management, Industrial health & safety, Collective bargaining, Miscellaneous
•  Code on wages: Payment of wages act, 1936, Minimum Wages act, 1948, Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, Equal Renuneration Act, 1976.
• Insurance: Introduction, Principles, Types and Insurance as a Part of Social Security.
• Occupational safety, health and working conditions code: Factories Act, 1948, Mines Act, 1952, Plantation labour Act, 1951, Contract Labour Act, 1970, Inter-State Migrants workmen Act, 1979, Miscellaneous provisions Act, 1955, etc.,
• Industrial Relations code: Trade Union Act, 1926, Industrial Employment Act, 1946, Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
• Social Security code: Employees’ provident fund Act, 1952, Employees’ state insurance Act, 1948, Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, etc.,

Syllabus for Accountancy and Auditing

• Introduction to the Accounting: Meaning, branches, process and objectives
• Theory Base of Accounting: Principles and conventions, terminology
• Recording of Transaction: Journal, ledger, cash book, accounting equation, trial balance, types of accounting errors, etc.,
• Ratio Analysis: Concept and types of ratios, Cash flow statement.
• Bills of Exchange: Concept and Introduction, Parties of bill of exchange, Promissory notes, Discounting of bills.
• Accounting Standards: Accounting of share capital, inventory and investment, bonus shares and buyback of shares.
• Preparation of the final Accounts: Understanding of trading account, profit and loss account and balance sheet.
• Concepts of Auditing

Syllabus for Basic Knowledge of Computer Applications

• Introduction to Computer: Definition and major parts of computer, Uses of computer, History of computer, Generation of computer, Types of computer.
• Memory
• Operating System
• Computer Network
• Hardware and Software
• Computer Organisation and data processing cycle

Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude and Statistics

• Simplification
• LCM and HCF
• Percentage
• Ratio and Proportion
• Mixture and Allegation
• Profit and Loss
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Average
• Time and Work
• Pipe and Cistern
• Time and Distance
• Boats and Streams
• Mensuration (2D and 3D)
• Data Interpretation
• Probability
• Statistical Concepts: Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation, Dispersion, etc.

Syllabus for General Mental Ability

• Alphabetical and Alphanumeric Series
• Coding and Decoding
• Syllogism
• Direction Sense
• Ranking and Order
• Blood Relations
• Letter Series
• Analogy
• Clock
• Calendar
• Dice
• Venn Diagram
• Counting Figures
• Cube and Cuboid

Syllabus for Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movement

• Ancient and Medieval History: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Rise of Mahajanapadas, Mauryan Dynasty, Post-Mauryan Period, Gupta Age, Harsha Empire, Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Rule
• Religious and Philosophical Traditions in India
• Sculpture and Architecture in India
• Indian Music and Dance Forms
• Indian Paintings
• Indian Languages and Literature
• Modern History: Decline of the Mughals, Rise of Regional Powers, Later Mughals after Aurangzeb and Advent of Europeans
• Revolt of 1857
• Rise of Nationalism in India and Formation of INC
• Reasons for the Rise of Indian Nationalism
• Important Events from 1908–1918
• Important Events from 1919–1929
• Important Events from 1929–1939
• Important Events from 1940–1947
• Socio-Religious Reform Movements

Syllabus for Governance and Constitution of India

• Constitutional Framework of India
• Indian Union and Its Citizens
• Rights and Duties of Indian Citizens
• Centre-State Relations
• Union Executive
• Parliament of India
• State Legislature
• Judiciary in India
• Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Bodies in India
• Local Governments in India
• Miscellaneous Topics

Syllabus for Indian Economy

• Introduction to Demand and Supply
• Elasticity of Demand
• Measurement of Growth
• Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India
• Economic History of India
• Monetary Policy
• Inflation
• Fiscal Policy
• Regional Economic Cooperation
• International Economic Institutions
• Opening Up of the Indian Economy
• Balance of Payments
• Finance Commission
• Social Security in India: Schemes and Legislation

Syllabus for Current Events, Population, Development and Globalisation

• Current Affairs: Government Schemes, Reports of National and International Organisations, First in News, Defence Exercises, Sports, Awards and Milestones, etc.
• Population in India
• Distribution of the Global Human Population
• Environment: Basics of Pollution and Climate Change
• Development: Concept of Development and Human Development
• Globalisation: Meaning, Triggers, Barriers and Impact of Globalisation

UPSC EPFO Interview Syllabus (EO/AO & APFC)

Based on trends from previous years and expert inputs, the interview generally tests candidates in the following four key areas:

1. Personality & Communication Skills
2. Understanding of Job Role (EPFO-related Topics)
3. Current Affairs & Social–Economic Issues
4. Background-Based Questions (Education/Work Experience)

UPSC EPFO APFC Interview 2026

The interview is the second stage of the selection process and carries a total of 100 marks. To qualify, candidates must score more than the official UPSC APFC interview cut-off. As per the notification, the interview holds 25% weightage in the final selection. The final merit list is prepared by combining both the written exam marks and the interview scores.

Preparation Tips for UPSC APFC 2026

• Go through the complete syllabus carefully and create short, easy-to-revise notes.
• Build strong conceptual understanding, especially in Economy, Governance, and Labour Laws.
• Read newspapers daily and refer to Drishti IAS Current Affairs for regular updates.
• Practice online mock tests and solve previous year papers to improve speed and accuracy.
• Revise regularly and follow a steady, disciplined study routine.

Best Books for UPSC EPFO APFC 2026

UPSC EPFO APFC Previous Year Papers