New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has invited applications for direct recruitment to 80 posts of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The detailed recruitment notification was issued on August 21, 2026, following the short notification released on August 19. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal from August 22 to September 11, 2026.
The UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test is scheduled to be held on December 20, 2026.
The APFC position is a permanent Group-A, non-ministerial post in EPFO and offers candidates an opportunity to enter the organisation through direct recruitment.
UPSC EPFO APFC 2026: Important Dates
The key dates for the recruitment process are as follows:
- Short APFC Notification: August 19, 2026
- Detailed APFC Notification: August 21, 2026
- Application Process Begins: August 22, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: September 11, 2026
- Recruitment Test: December 20, 2026
- Interview: October-November 2027 (Expected)
Candidates are advised to carefully read the detailed advertisement and instructions before submitting their applications.
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80 APFC Vacancies: Category-Wise Details
UPSC has notified 80 APFC vacancies under the recruitment drive.
The category-wise distribution includes 28 Unreserved (UR), 8 EWS, 18 OBC, 15 SC and 15 ST vacancies, according to the vacancy breakup provided in the notification. Three posts are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) within the applicable categories.
The post is being filled through direct recruitment.
APFC Is a Permanent Group-A Post
The post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner is a permanent Group-A, non-ministerial position in EPFO.
APFCs perform a range of statutory, administrative and enforcement-related functions associated with the implementation of social security provisions administered by EPFO.
Their responsibilities can cover areas including enforcement, recovery, accounts, administration, cash management, legal matters, pension and computer-related work.
The duties may also include conducting inquiries, processing and settling claims, maintaining cash books, reconciling bank statements and preparing management information system (MIS) returns.
UPSC EPFO APFC Selection Process
The selection process for the APFC post will consist of a Recruitment Test followed by an interview.
Candidates who qualify through the prescribed recruitment process will subsequently be considered for the interview stage.
The Recruitment Test has been scheduled for December 20, 2026.
APFC Recruitment 2026: Syllabus Changed
The latest notification also brings a notable change to the APFC examination syllabus.
Labour Laws has been replaced by Labour Codes in the syllabus.
The examination will cover multiple areas relevant to public administration, social security, labour and governance. These include:
- General English
- Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movements
- Developmental issues and current trends in the Indian economy
- Governance and Constitution of India
- General Science and basic 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 national and international events
The inclusion of Labour Codes marks an important change for candidates preparing specifically for the APFC examination.
UPSC EPFO APFC Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for the APFC post must possess a degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
A Diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws or Public Administration has been specified as a desirable qualification.
The maximum age limit is 35 years for General and EWS candidates, calculated as on the last date of submission of the application.
Age relaxation will be applicable to candidates belonging to reserved categories and other eligible groups as per the rules.
There is no minimum age specified in the recruitment details.
Application Fee for APFC Recruitment
Candidates who are required to pay the application fee will have to pay Rs 25.
However, SC, ST, PwBD and women candidates are exempted from payment of the application fee.
Eligible candidates can apply during the prescribed application window from August 22 to September 11, 2026.
How to Apply for UPSC EPFO APFC 2026
Candidates interested in the recruitment should submit their applications through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal within the notified deadline.
Applicants should ensure that they meet the prescribed educational qualification, age and other eligibility conditions before applying.
The Commission has advised candidates to follow the detailed instructions contained in the recruitment advertisement while filling out and submitting the application.
With 80 permanent Group-A vacancies and a Recruitment Test scheduled for December 20, the recruitment provides an important opportunity for candidates seeking a senior-level administrative and enforcement role in the EPFO.
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