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The UPSC EPFO APFC Exam Pattern 2025 will be announced through the latest recruitment notification. The selection process will consist of two key stages: a Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) and a personal interview. The CRT is an objective-type written exam designed to test candidates on diverse topics crucial for the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) role under the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). Until the notification is released, candidates can check the previous year's UPSC APFC Exam Pattern shared below.
What is the UPSC EPFO APFC exam pattern?
The UPSC EPFO APFC Exam pattern consists of two stages: a pen-and-paper-based Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) and an interview. The CRT is an objective-type test with 120 questions conducted over 2 hours. The exam is bilingual (English and Hindi), except for the English section, and has a negative marking of 1/3rd for each wrong answer. Candidates who qualify the CRT are called for an interview worth 100 marks. The final selection is based on a 75:25 weightage of the CRT and interview scores.
Phase 1: Combined Recruitment Test (CRT)
This is a written objective-type exam consisting of multiple-choice questions.
- Number of Questions: 120
- Time Duration: 2 hours
- Language Medium: English and Hindi
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to each question will be deducted for every wrong answer. No penalty for unanswered questions.
- Syllabus Includes: General English, Indian Freedom Struggle, Indian Polity, Current Events, Population & Development, Globalization, Indian Economy, Labour Laws, Social Security, Auditing & Accounting, Industrial Relations, Elementary Mathematics & Statistics, Computer Applications, General Science, and Logical Reasoning.
Phase 2: Interview/Personality Test
Candidates qualifying the written test are called for a personal interview to assess their personality traits, subject knowledge, and communication skills.
- Interview Marks: 100
- Final Selection Weightage: CRT – 75%, Interview – 25%
- Indicative Minimum Marks: 50 (UR), 45 (OBC), 40 (SC/ST/PH)
UPSC APFC Exam Pattern 2025
The structure of the APFC 2025 exam focuses on testing candidates' knowledge of general English, Indian culture, labor laws, governance, current affairs, social security, and basic quantitative and reasoning skills. Below is a quick overview:
- Combined Recruitment Test (CRT): Objective type; 2 hours duration
- Interview: Conducted for candidates who qualify the CRT
- Marking Scheme: 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer
- Exam Medium: English and Hindi (except language section)
- PwD Candidates: Eligible for extra time and scribe as per norms
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What is the UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test (CRT) Pattern?
- The written test will be conducted offline in bilingual (English & Hindi) mode.
- The exam will be 2 hours in duration with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- It will be conducted in offline mode (pen and paper-based).
- There is negative marking; 1/3 of a mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.
- No deduction for unanswered questions.
- PwD candidates are eligible for extra time and may avail themselves of the scribe facility as per the rules.
| Parts | Name Of The Topic | Time |
|---|
| Part A | General English and Vocabulary | 2 Hours |
| Part B | Indian Culture and Freedom Movements with Current Events |
| Population, Development, and Globalization |
| Constitution of India |
| Current trends in the Indian Economy |
| Accounting and Auditing, Industrial Relations, Labor Laws, Insurance |
| Basic Knowledge of Computer Applications and General Science |
| Elementary Mathematics, Statistics, and General Mental Ability |
| Social Security in India |
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Who is eligible for the UPSC EPFO APFC interview process?
Candidates who secure qualifying marks in the Recruitment Test are shortlisted for the Interview Round, which carries 100 marks. This stage assesses the candidate's communication skills, personality, domain knowledge, and suitability for the APFC position.
| Stage | Details | Maximum Marks |
|---|
| Interview | Personality Test conducted by UPSC | 100 marks |
What is the final selection criteria for UPSC APFC?
The final selection process for the UPSC EPFO is done on the basis of the CRT and the interview. The ratio of the CRT to the Interview is 75:25.
What is the marking scheme for the UPSC EPFO APFC exam?
Each correct answer is awarded the full marks allotted to that question and each wrong answer has 1/3rd negative marking. The interview stage carries 100 marks. The final merit list is prepared by combining the scores of the Recruitment Test (75% weightage) and the Interview (25% weightage).
Is there negative marking in the UPSC EPFO APFC exam?
Yes, there is negative marking in the UPSC EPFO APFC exam. For every incorrect answer in the Recruitment Test, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. There is no penalty for questions left unanswered.
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