UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment 2026 --- 80 Assistant Provident Fund

UPSC has opened recruitment for 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) posts in the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Ministry of Labour & Employment, through Special Advertisement No. 52/2026. Graduates can apply online from 22 August 2026 to 11 September 2026 at 6:00 PM through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal. The Recruitment Test is scheduled for 20 December 2026.

Who Should Apply

• Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC): Suitable for candidates who hold a degree from a recognised university or equivalent.
• The notification also lists a diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws or Public Administration as a desirable qualification. It is not the minimum educational qualification.
• This is an All India recruitment. The headquarters of the post is New Delhi, but the notification states that the post carries All India Service liability, so selected officers may be required to serve anywhere in India.

Eligibility & Age Limit

The essential educational qualification is a degree from a recognised university or equivalent. The desirable qualification is a diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws or Public Administration.

The normal upper age limit is 35 years for UR/EWS candidates, 38 years for OBC candidates and 40 years for SC/ST candidates. The notification allows 10 years of age relaxation for PwBD candidates, subject to a maximum age limit of 56 years. Other specific relaxations include up to 5 years for Ex-Servicemen/Commissioned Officers, up to 5 years for eligible Central/UT Government servants, and up to 5 years for EPFO employees, subject to the conditions stated in the notification. General SC/ST/OBC/PwBD concessions are also governed by the applicable rules.

Citizenship conditions apply. A candidate must be an Indian citizen, or fall within the other citizenship categories specified by UPSC, such as eligible subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, certain Tibetan refugees, or specified persons of Indian origin, with the required Government of India eligibility certificate where applicable.

See every current degree opening for other jobs open to degree holders.

Salary & Pay Scale

The APFC post is Level 10 in the Pay Matrix under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The corresponding basic-pay range is ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month, before applicable allowances and deductions. The recruitment notification itself specifies Level 10 rather than printing the rupee range.

The post is permanent and classified as Central Board Group 'A', Non-Ministerial, equivalent to Group A of the Central Government at the corresponding pay level. The probation period is one year.

Important Dates

Event Date

Notification date 21 August 2026 Online application starts 22 August 2026 Last date to apply 11 September 2026, up to 6:00 PM Recruitment Test 20 December 2026 Interview To be intimated separately

The closing date is also the date used by UPSC to determine eligibility in every respect. The Recruitment Test date is scheduled by the notification but the Commission may change examination arrangements where necessary.

Application Fee

Candidate category Fee

General / EWS / OBC male candidates ₹25 Female candidates of any community No fee SC candidates No fee ST candidates No fee PwBD candidates No fee

The ₹25 fee can be paid online through Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit card, UPI or internet banking. UPSC states that the fee is not refundable and cannot be carried forward to another examination or selection.

How to Apply

1. Open the official UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal.
2. Create an account and complete the Universal Registration (URN).
3. Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) with personal, educational and category details.
4. Upload the required photograph and complete the required live photo capture during the CAF process.
5. Prepare and upload the signature as instructed by UPSC. The notification requires the candidate to sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper using black ink.
6. Complete the post/vacancy-specific module for Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Vacancy No. 26085201722.
7. Upload supporting documents for claims such as date of birth, educational qualification, caste, disability, age relaxation and other applicable claims.
8. Pay the ₹25 application fee if you are a category that is not exempt.
9. Review the application carefully and submit it before 11 September 2026 at 6:00 PM.
10. Save or print the finally submitted online application for your records.

UPSC states that candidates cannot withdraw the application after submission and cannot correct, alter or modify fields after submission. The application portal also provides instructions on document and file-size requirements.

If you need to check your age against the closing-date rule, use the age calculator.

How Are Candidates Selected

The selection process is based on a Recruitment Test (RT) followed by an Interview. UPSC may shortlist candidates using the Recruitment Test, along with the information and qualifications supplied in the online application.

Recruitment Test

The RT is a pen-and-paper, objective-type test with multiple-choice questions. It is scheduled for 20 December 2026, is conducted in English and Hindi, and has a duration of two hours. There is negative marking: one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer, while unanswered questions carry no penalty.

The syllabus broadly covers:

• General English
• Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movements
• Developmental Issues and Present Trends in Indian Economy
• Governance and Constitution of India
• General Science and Basic Knowledge of Computer Applications
• Elementary Mathematics, Statistics and General Mental Ability
• Industrial Relations, Labour Codes and Social Security in India
• Principles of Accountancy, Auditing and Insurance
• Current Events of National and International Importance

The notification states that 300 marks are allotted to the RT and 100 marks to the Interview, with a 75:25 weightage.

Interview

Candidates shortlisted from the recruitment process are called for interview and must produce the required original documents/certificates along with the relevant copies. The interview carries 100 marks. The minimum interview suitability standard is 50 marks for General/EWS, 45 for OBC and 40 for SC/ST/PwBD, as stated in the notification.

Why This Job Matters

EPFO is a statutory organisation under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. It administers major social-security schemes including the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, Employees' Pension Scheme and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme.

For an APFC, the notification lists responsibilities covering enforcement, recovery, accounts, administration, cash, legal work, pension and computer-related functions, including inquiries, claim settlement, reconciliation and MIS work. The combination of a permanent Group A post, Level 10 pay and All India Service liability makes the recruitment notable for graduates seeking a central-government career.

The FreshersLike Take

• Best fit: A strong fit if you have a recognised university degree and want a permanent Group A central-government role involving labour, social-security, administration and related functions.
• Who should think twice: The job has All India Service liability, so it may not suit candidates who need a guaranteed posting in or near their home state.
• Practical tip: The Recruitment Test is OMR/pen-and-paper based with negative marking, so practise objective questions while also preparing to mark answers carefully with a black ball pen. Also apply early if you want a better chance of getting your preferred test centre because several centres have capacity limits and are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis.

Documents Required

UPSC requires supporting documents for claims made in the application. Depending on the candidate, these can include:

• Matriculation/10th certificate or equivalent document showing date of birth.
• Degree certificate, or provisional certificate with mark sheets for all academic years where applicable.
• Document/order supporting an equivalent educational qualification, if claimed.
• SC/ST/OBC caste certificate in the prescribed format, where applicable.
• OBC declaration regarding non-creamy-layer status, where applicable.
• PwBD disability certificate in the prescribed format, where applicable.
• Documents supporting age relaxation, including Ex-Servicemen/Commissioned Officer, Central/UT Government employee or other applicable claims.
• Documents supporting any desirable qualification or other claim made in the application.
• Experience certificates where relevant to a claim.
• A valid photo ID such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, Driving Licence or another government-issued photo ID.

Candidates called for interview must bring the printout of the online application and the original documents/certificates required by UPSC, along with the specified copies.

What Happens After Selection

Candidates who clear the recruitment process and are recommended for appointment will receive appointment orders from the Government. The post is permanent and has a one-year probation period.

The headquarters is New Delhi, but the notification states that the post carries All India Service liability, so officers may be required to serve anywhere in India. Selected candidates must also satisfy the required medical conditions if a medical examination is prescribed.

Contact & Helpline

UPSC has published a dedicated recruitment helpline for this application process:

• Phone: 011-24041001
• Phone: 011-40303444
• Email: upscsoap@nic.in
• Working hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days during the application window.

For application or recruitment queries, use the official UPSC channels above rather than relying on third-party contact numbers.

Important Links

Resource Official Link

Apply Online UPSC Online Recruitment Application

Official Notification Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 PDF

UPSC Recruitment Advertisements UPSC Recruitment Advertisements

UPSC Official Website upsc.gov.in

EPFO Official Website epfindia.gov.in

Common Questions

What is the last date for UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is 11 September 2026 up to 6:00 PM.

How many APFC vacancies are available?

UPSC has notified 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner vacancies under Special Advertisement No. 52/2026. The category-wise distribution is UR 29, EWS 8, OBC 18, SC 15 and ST 10.

What is the qualification for UPSC EPFO APFC 2026?

Candidates need a degree from a recognised university or equivalent. A diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws or Public Administration is desirable but is not the essential qualification.

Can a diploma holder apply without a degree?

No. A diploma alone does not meet the essential qualification. The notification requires a degree from a recognised university or equivalent; the listed diploma is only a desirable qualification.

What is the age limit for APFC Recruitment 2026?

The upper age limit is 35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC and 40 years for SC/ST candidates. PwBD candidates can receive up to 10 years of relaxation, subject to the maximum age limit of 56 years and the conditions in the notification.

Is the UPSC EPFO APFC exam computer-based?

No. The notified Recruitment Test is a pen-and-paper objective test using an OMR answer sheet. It is scheduled for 20 December 2026 and carries negative marking.

Can I correct my application after submitting it?

No. UPSC states that candidates cannot correct, alter or modify fields after submission. Check all details and uploaded documents carefully before final submission.

Is the application fee refundable?

No. UPSC states that the fee, once paid, will not be refunded and cannot be held in reserve for another examination or selection.

When will the APFC interview be held?

The interview date will be intimated separately to shortlisted candidates. UPSC requires shortlisted candidates to produce the relevant original documents and copies at the interview.

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