It is a competitive examination conducted for the recruitment of Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner posts in EPFO. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

Eligibility Criteria:

• Maximum Age:

APFC: 35 years of age.

AO/EO: 30 years of age

Age relaxation is applicable for reserved category candidates as per the government norms.

• Educational Qualification: Degree by a recognised University or Equivalent

The exam pattern consist:

• General Awareness and Aptitude: This section tests the candidate’s knowledge in current affairs, general knowledge, history, geography, science and aptitude (number system, simplifications, ratio and proportions, percentage, average, time and work questions on puzzles, coding-decoding, blood relations, and other similar topics).
• General English: This section tests the candidate’s proficiency in the English language and consists of questions on vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
• Computer Literacy: This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of computer basics, like MS Office, computer networks, and internet-related topics.
• Accounting and Auditing, Industrial Relations, Labour Laws, Insurance
• Social security

Weightage

Weightage in the ratio of 75:25 will be accorded for marks in Recruitment Test and Interview for determining the final merit in the instant recruitment case.

Negative marking:  0.83 marks

Selection process

• Written Test
• Interview/Personality Test

Books to be referred

• Computer Literacy: Arihant publication’s computer awareness
• General English: any grammar book(objective general English- Arihant publications)
• General Awareness: class 5-12 science textbooks, history and geography textbooks, current affairs magazine (Namma KPSC- Mahithi monthly), lucent gk book
• Aptitude: quantitative aptitude by R.S.Agarwal
• Industrial Relations and Labour Laws: Industrial Relations and Labour Laws of Nikita Agarwal, Galgotia publications, Govt websites, such as- EPFO website, Ministry of Labour and Employment Website, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• General Accounting Principles: NCERTs of Class XI & XII and IGNOU B.com books
• Social Security in India: Ravi Prajash Yadav’ s Social Security in India and Govt websites, such as- EPFO website, Ministry of Labour and Employment Website, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• EPFO previous year question papers

Preparation strategy:

• Understand the exam pattern: The EPFO exam consists of objective type questions in various sections like General Knowledge and General English, Computer Literacy, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Understand the exam pattern thoroughly before you start preparing.
• Gather study material: Collect study material like textbooks, previous years’ question papers, sample papers, and online resources. You can also refer to books on the topics covered in the exam.
• Plan your preparation: Create a study plan and stick to it. Allocate time for each subject and topic, and revise regularly.
• Improve your language skills: Focus on improving your grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills for the General English section. Reading newspapers, magazines, and books can help you in this regard.
• Enhance your computer knowledge: Practice computer-related questions, and brush up on computer basics, like MS Office, computer networks, and internet-related topics.
• Improve your reasoning skills: Solve reasoning puzzles, and practice logical reasoning questions to improve your analytical skills.
• Enhance your quantitative aptitude: Solve mathematical problems on topics like percentage, profit and loss, time and work, etc., to improve your quantitative aptitude.
• Take mock tests: Take mock tests, and previous year’s question papers to evaluate your preparation level.
• Time management: Time management is essential in competitive exams like EPFO exams. Practice solving questions quickly and efficiently.
• Stay positive and motivated: Stay positive and motivated during your preparation. Believe in yourself, and work hard to achieve your goals.

Syllabus for Mains

 Go through the syllabus and get familiar with the topics. Make sure you complete maximum number of topics from it. UPSC is known to stick to the syllabus and ask several direct question.

But please note- It is impossible to cover the entire syllabus or get notes for the entire syllabus. You may have to leave about 10-15% of the topics. It is okie. But make sure that you are very confidant with the rest of the topics.

QUALIFYING PAPERS: ENGLISH AND REGIONAL LANGUAGE (300 Marks each)

 The aim of the paper is to test the candidate’s ability to read and understand     serious discursive prose and to express his ideas clearly and correctly in Kannada and English. These papers comprise of:

1. Comprehension
2. Precise Writing
3. Communication Skills
4. Vocabulary
5. Essay

 PAPER – I: ESSAY (250 Marks – 3 Hours)

Two Essays (in English/Regional Language) 125 marks each

1. Essay – 1: Topics of International / National Importance
2. Essay – 2: Social issues & Quote based

PAPER – II GENERAL STUDIES 1 (250 MARKS – 3 HOURS)

 General Studies- I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

1.  Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
3. The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5. History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc – their forms and effect on the society.
6. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
7. Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
8. Effects of globalization on Indian society.
9. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
10. Salient features of world’s physical geography.
11. Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
12. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

PAPER – III GENERAL STUDIES 2 (250 MARKS – 3 HOURS)

General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations

1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
2. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
3. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
4. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
5. Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
6. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
7. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
8. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
9. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
10. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
11. Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
12. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
13. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
14. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
15. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens’ charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
16. Role of civil services in a democracy.
17. India and its neighborhood- relations.
18. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
19. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
20. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

PAPER – IV GENERAL STUDIES 3 (250 MARKS – 3 HOURS)

General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

1.  Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
2. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
3. Government Budgeting.
4. Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
5. Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
6. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
7. Land reforms in India.
8. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
9. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
10. Investment models.
11. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
12. Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
13. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
14. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
15. Disaster and disaster management.
16. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
17. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
18. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
19. Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
20. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

PAPER – V- GENERAL STUDIES 4 (250 MARKS – 3 HOURS)

General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

1. This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad areas will be covered.
2. Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
3. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
4. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
5. Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
6. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
7. Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
8. Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;
9. Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
10. Case Studies on above issues.

Mains Optionals

1. Agriculture
2. Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
3. Anthropology
4. Botany
5. Chemistry
6. Civil Engineering
7. Commerce & Accountancy
8. Economics
9. Electrical Engineering
10. Geography
11. Geology
12. History
13. Law
14. Management
15. Mathematics
16. Mechanical Engineering
17. Medical Science
18. Philosophy
19. Physics
20. Political Science and International Relations
21. Psychology
22. Public Administration
23. Sociology
24. Statistics
25. Zoology
26. Literature of any one of the following languages:

• Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and English

Optional Subject

Anthropology Syllabus

1. Social cultural Anthropology
2. Cultural evolution
3. Physical evolution
4. Indian society
5. Indian Anthropology
6. Tribal India
7. Basics of Human Genetics
8. Medical Anthropology
9. Meaning and scope of Anthropology and its main branches

WHY ANTHROPOLOGY?

• Anthropology is static subject with few dynamic topics.
• Easy to understand and interesting
• Scoring
• Repeated questions
• Limited syllabus
• Guidance by Dr Arjun Bopanna
• Comprehensive notes compiled by subject experts
• Social issues will help in General studies and essay

• Examination conducting authority: Union Public Service Commission
• Date of Examination: Varies (Usually Prelims in June)
• Number of Attempts:
  • General Category: 6 Attempts
  • OBC: 9 Attempts
  • SC/ST: No limit
• Age:
  • General Category: 32 years
  • OBC: 35 years
  • SC/ST-37 years
  • PH:  Additional 10 years
  • ExMP: 5years
• Education Qualification: Any Recognised Degree
• Number of posts: Varies ( 900-1000)
• Application & Official communication address: upsconline.nic.in
• Posts:
  • Indian Administrative Service
  • Indian Foreign Service
  • Indian Police Service
  • Indian Revenue Service
  • Indian Postal Service
  • Indian Railway Personnel Service
  • Indian Railway Traffic Service
  • Indian Trade Service
  • Railway Protection Force
  • Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service
  • Pondicherry Civil Service etc….

EXAM PROCESS

PRELIMS

• Date of examination: Notified by UPSC (Usually in June)
• Number of Papers: 2
• Type of Examination: Objective type (MCQs)
• Duration of each paper: 2 hours
• Maximum Marks: 200 marks (100 questions each paper- 2 marks each)
• General Studies Paper-II: Qualifying in nature (Minimum – 33% to be secured for qualifying)
• Negative Marks: 1/3^rd of 2 marks (0.66 deducted for every wrong answer)
• Language of examination: English and Hindi
• How many will clear Prelims? 12-13 times the vacancies notified for recruitment will be selected to write Mains examination
• Cut off marks: Varies.

MAINS Examination (Descriptive Type)

• Date of Examination: Notified by UPSC
• Number of Papers: The written examination will consist of 9 papers of conventional essay type out of which two papers will be of qualifying in nature.
• Duration of each Paper: 3 hours
• Maximum Marks: 250 marks
• Type of examination: Descriptive type (Essay type)
• Language of Examination: English and regional language
• How many will clear Mains? 3 times the vacancies notified for recruitment will be selected to write Mains examination.
• Cut off marks: – 2017

Personality test

• Maximum Marks: 275 Marks. This will be added to written marks.
• Ranking based on = Written Marks (1750) + Personality test (275)
• Interview: Conducted by a board ( 1 chairman and 4 expert members)
• Questions: They will be based on matters  of  general  interest.
• Objective of the Interview: To assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public services and to judge the mental caliber of a candidate.
• What is expected from the candidate:

1. 1. Mental  alertness
   2. Critical  powers  of  assimilations
   3. Clear  and  logical  exposition
   4. Balance  of  judgement
   5. Variety  and  depth  of  interest
   6. Ability  for  social  cohesion  and  leadership
   7. Intellectual and moral integrity.

• How many will be called for interview: 3 times the vacancies
• Duration of Interview: 20-30 minutes