UPSC EPFO Exam Pattern 2023
Mar 15, 2023, 16:45 IST
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) exam every year for the recruitment of candidates to the post of Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer. This exam is highly competitive and attracts thousands of candidates from across the country. In this article, we will discuss the exam pattern for UPSC EPFO 2023 and what candidates can expect from the exam.
The UPSC EPFO 2023 exam will consist of two stages: a written examination and an interview. The written examination will be conducted in offline mode (pen and paper-based) and will consist of two papers. Paper-I will be a General Ability Test (GAT) while Paper-II will be an Optional Subjective Paper.
Paper I. General Ability Test (GAT)
The General Ability Test (GAT) will be a multiple-choice objective type paper consisting of 100 questions. The total duration of the exam will be 2 hours. The questions in the paper will be from the following subjects:
- General English
- Indian Polity and Economy
- General Accounting Principles
- Industrial Relations and Labour Laws
- General Science and Knowledge of Computer Applications
- General Mental Ability and Quantitative Aptitude
- Current Events of National and International Importance
Paper II. Optional Subjective Paper
The Optional Subjective Paper will be a descriptive paper consisting of 3 questions. The questions will be related to the subject chosen by the candidate while filling up the application form. The total duration of the exam will be 3 hours.
Interview
Candidates who qualify in the written examination will be called for an interview. The interview will be conducted by a panel of experts who will evaluate the candidate's personality, aptitude, and knowledge of the subject.
Marking Scheme
The total marks for the written examination will be 300, and the interview will be for 100 marks. The final selection will be based on the candidate's performance in the written examination and the interview. The qualifying marks for the written examination will be decided by the UPSC.
| Exam (Phase I) | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration | Weightage |
| Recruitment Test | 120 | 300 Marks | 2 Hours | 75 |
Negative Marking
There will be negative marking for incorrect answers in the General Ability Test (GAT). For each wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty. However, there will be no negative marking for unanswered questions or for the Optional Subjective Paper.
Syllabus for Optional Subjective Paper
Candidates can choose one subject from the following list for the Optional Subjective Paper:
- Industrial Relations and Labour Laws
- Accounting and Auditing
- General Science
- Indian Freedom Struggle
- Current Events and Development Issues
The syllabus for the Optional Subjective Paper will be based on the subject chosen by the candidate.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
Candidates must obtain the minimum qualifying marks in both the written examination and the interview to be considered for selection. The minimum qualifying marks will be decided by the UPSC and may vary for different categories.
| Category | UPSC EPFO Qualifying Marks |
| General | 50 |
| SC/ST | 40 |
| OBC | 45 |
Final Merit List
The final merit list for the UPSC EPFO 2023 exam will be based on the candidate's performance in the written examination and the interview. The weightage for the written examination and the interview will be 75% and 25%, respectively. Candidates who secure high marks in both the written examination and the interview will be shortlisted for the final selection.
Section-wise Exam Pattern
| Topics | Number of Questions |
| General English | 18 to 20 |
| Social Security in India | 3 to 5 |
| Industrial Relations & Labour Laws | 3 to 5 |
| Current Events & Developmental Issues | 5 to 7 |
| Indian Polity & Economy | 5 to 7 |
| Indian Freedom Struggle | 13 to 15 |
| General Mental Ability & Quantitative Aptitude | 13 to 15 |
| GS & GK of Computer Applications | 8 to 10 |
| General Accounting Principles | 8 to 10 |
| Total No. of Questions | 120 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the duration of the UPSC EPFO 2023 exam?
Ans. The General Ability Test (GAT) will be of 2 hours duration, and the Optional Subjective Paper will be of 3 hours duration.
Q2. Will there be negative marking in the UPSC EPFO 2023 exam?
Ans. Yes, there will be negative marking for incorrect answers in the General Ability Test (GAT). For each wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
Q3. What is the syllabus for the Optional Subjective Paper in the UPSC EPFO 2023 exam?
Ans. Candidates can choose one subject from the following list for the Optional Subjective Paper: Industrial Relations and Labour Laws, Accounting and Auditing, General Science, Indian Freedom Struggle, and Current Events and Development Issues. The syllabus for the Optional Subjective Paper will be based on the subject chosen by the candidate.
Q4. What is the weightage for the written examination and the interview in the UPSC EPFO 2023 exam?
Ans. The weightage for the written examination and the interview will be 75% and 25%, respectively.
Q5. What is the minimum qualifying marks for the UPSC EPFO 2023 exam?
Ans. The minimum qualifying marks for the written examination and the interview will be decided by the UPSC and may vary for different categories.
Q6. What is the final selection process for the UPSC EPFO 2023 exam?
Ans. The final selection will be based on the candidate's performance in the written examination and the interview. The weightage for the written examination and the interview will be 75% and 25%, respectively. Candidates who secure high marks in both the written examination and the interview will be shortlisted for the final selection.
