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The UPSC EPFO SSA Exam Pattern 2025 will be officially released along with the recruitment notification for the post of Social Security Assistant (SSA) under the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). However, based on the revised pattern followed in recent cycles, candidates can expect a single-stage computer-based test (CBT) followed by a qualifying skill test. Unlike previous years, there will be no descriptive paper or sectional timing, making it essential to understand the new structure carefully. Candidates appearing for the exam must be well-versed in the expected pattern, marking scheme, and skill test requirements. Below is the complete EPFO SSA Exam Pattern 2025 (expected), including changes introduced in recent years.
EPFO SSA Exam Pattern 2025 (Expected)
The EPFO SSA selection process will consist of two key stages:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Skill Test (Typing Test)
According to the revised pattern:
- There will be only one online objective exam followed by a skill test.
- The earlier descriptive paper has been removed.
- There will be no sectional time limits.
- Computer literacy has been added as a separate subject.
- The merit list will be prepared based on marks obtained in the online test only.
- The skill test will be qualifying in nature and will not affect final merit.
UPSC EPFO SSA Online Test Pattern 2025
The online test is objective in nature and will consist of 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The total duration of the test will be 150 minutes. Each correct answer will carry 4 marks, and there will be a negative marking of 1/4th mark for each wrong response.
EPFO SSA CBT Pattern (Phase I)
- Total Time Allotted: 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes)
- Negative Marking: 1/4 mark for each incorrect answer
- Mode of Exam: Online (objective-type MCQs)
| Subject | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|
| General Aptitude | 30 | 120 |
| General Knowledge/General Awareness | 30 | 120 |
| Quantitative Ability | 30 | 120 |
| General English with Comprehension | 50 | 200 |
| Computer Literacy | 10 | 40 |
| Total | 150 | 600 |
UPSC EPFO SSA Skill Test Pattern 2025 (Phase II)
Candidates who qualify in the online test will be called for a skill test, which is qualifying in nature. The purpose of the test is to assess a candidate's data entry speed and accuracy.
| Language | Typing Speed Requirement |
|---|
| English | 35 words per minute (wpm) |
| Hindi | 30 words per minute (wpm) |
This is equivalent to
- 10,500 key depressions per hour (KDPH) in English
- 9,000 KDPH in Hindi (Assuming 5 key depressions per word)
- Mode: Conducted only on a computer
- Qualifying Nature: Marks not counted for final selection
Final Selection Process for EPFO SSA 2025
The final merit list will be prepared based solely on the marks obtained in the Computer-Based Test (Phase I). The Skill Test (Phase II) is mandatory to qualify but does not carry any marks in the final result. Candidates must focus on-
- Maximizing their score in the online exam
- Ensuring minimum typing speed as per the skill test criteria
