UPSC APFC Recruitment 2026: 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Vacancies in EPFO

UPSC APFC Recruitment 2026: 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Vacancies in EPFO

Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 — Online applications open for Group-A, Level-10 posts under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

80 Vacancies
Level-10 Pay Matrix
11 Sep 2026 Last Date
20 Dec 2026 Recruitment Test

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 inviting online applications for 80 posts of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) in the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.

The recruitment is being conducted by Direct Recruitment by Selection through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal. The online application process started on 22 August 2026, and eligible candidates can submit applications up to 11 September 2026, 6:00 PM.

UPSC APFC Recruitment 2026 — Overview

ParticularDetails
Recruiting OrganisationUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC)
DepartmentEmployees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
MinistryMinistry of Labour & Employment
PostAssistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC)
Vacancy80
Advertisement No.Special Advertisement No. 52/2026
Vacancy No.26085201722
Pay LevelLevel-10, 7th CPC Pay Matrix
Post TypeGroup-A, Non-Ministerial
Job StatusPermanent
Probation1 Year
HeadquartersNew Delhi
Service LiabilityAll India Service Liability
Application ModeOnline
Application Start Date22 August 2026
Last Date11 September 2026, 6:00 PM
Recruitment Test20 December 2026
Official PortalUPSC Online Recruitment Application
The APFC post is a permanent Central Board Group-A, Non-Ministerial post, equivalent to Group-A of the Central Government at the corresponding pay level.

UPSC APFC Vacancy 2026 — Category-wise Breakup

A total of 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner vacancies have been announced, out of which 3 posts are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).

CategoryVacancies
UR29
EWS8
OBC18
SC15
ST10
Total80

APFC Salary and Pay Level

The post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner carries Pay Level-10 in the Pay Matrix under the 7th Central Pay Commission. It is a Group-A post in EPFO, classified as Central Board Group-A, Non-Ministerial. In addition to basic pay, appointed officers receive applicable allowances and benefits as per Government/EPFO rules.

The notification specifies only the pay level and does not give one fixed in-hand salary figure. Actual gross and net salary will depend on allowances, posting location and deductions.

APFC Recruitment 2026 — Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

  • Essential: Degree of a recognised University or equivalent.
  • Desirable: Diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws or Public Administration.

APFC Age Limit

CategoryMaximum Age
UR / EWS35 years
OBC38 years
SC / ST40 years

Additional age relaxation is available for eligible PwBD candidates, subject to a maximum age of 56 years.

Age Relaxation for Central Government Employees

Eligible Central/UT Government servants with 3 years of continuous service can get up to 5 years of age relaxation, subject to conditions on the post being in the same line/allied cadre and usefulness of past service. Combined relaxation limits are also available for SC/ST and OBC candidates who qualify under this provision — an important benefit for serving Central Government employees.

APFC Job Profile and Duties

The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner handles a broad range of statutory, administrative and supervisory functions within EPFO, including:

  • Enforcement and Recovery
  • Accounts and Cash management
  • Administration and Legal matters
  • Pension and Computer-related work
  • Conducting inquiries and settlement of claims
  • Maintenance of Cash Book and reconciliation of bank statements
  • MIS returns and general administration

The headquarters is New Delhi, but the post carries All India Service Liability — candidates should not consider APFC a Delhi-only posting. The probation period is one year.

How to Apply — UPSC APFC Application Form 2026

Eligible candidates must apply online via the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal, which uses four modules: Account Creation, Universal Registration Number (URN), Common Application Form (CAF), and the post-specific application.

  1. Visit the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal.
  2. Create an account and complete registration.
  3. Generate/complete the Universal Registration Number (URN).
  4. Complete the Common Application Form (CAF).
  5. Select the APFC vacancy under Special Advertisement No. 52/2026.
  6. Fill in the post-specific application form.
  7. Upload photograph, live photograph, signature and supporting documents.
  8. Pay the application fee, if applicable.
  9. Carefully verify all information before submitting.
  10. Submit before 6:00 PM on 11 September 2026.
  11. Download and retain the final submitted application/printout.
Important: Once submitted, the application cannot be withdrawn, and corrections/alterations are not allowed. Incorrect information can lead to rejection or debarment — verify everything before final submission.

UPSC APFC Application Fee

Candidate CategoryApplication Fee
UR / EWS / OBC Male₹25
FemaleNil
SCNil
STNil
PwBDNil

Documents Required

  • Matriculation/10th certificate (for date of birth)
  • Degree/Diploma certificate and relevant mark sheets
  • Category certificate, where applicable
  • OBC non-creamy-layer declaration, wherever applicable
  • PwBD certificate, wherever applicable
  • Experience certificate, if applicable
  • Age-relaxation certificate, wherever applicable
  • Equivalent qualification certificate/order, if claiming equivalence
  • Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar recommended), photograph, live photograph and signature
Serving Central/UT Government employees can apply directly online but must inform their Head of Office/Department in writing that they have applied.

UPSC APFC Recruitment Test 2026

The Commission will conduct a Pen & Paper Based Recruitment Test (RT) for shortlisting candidates for interview. The test is objective type, conducted in English and Hindi, with a duration of 2 hours.

ParticularDetails
ExamRecruitment Test
ModePen & Paper Based
TypeObjective / MCQ
Duration2 Hours
MediumEnglish & Hindi
Total RT Marks300
Interview Marks100
RT : Interview Weightage75 : 25
Negative Marking1/3 mark per wrong answer

Recruitment Test Syllabus

  • General English
  • Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movement
  • Indian Economy — Developmental issues & present trends
  • 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 Events — National and International

Interview Qualifying Standard

CategoryMinimum Interview Marks
General / EWS50 / 100
OBC45 / 100
SC / ST / PwBD40 / 100

Recruitment Test Centres

The Recruitment Test will be held at 84 centres across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Patna, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Indore, Raipur, Ranchi, Guwahati, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Mysuru and other listed centres.

Several centres have limited capacity, and allotment follows a first-apply-first-allot basis. Apply early if you want a preferred centre.

Selection Process

Online Application → Recruitment Test → Shortlisting → Interview → Final Selection

The Recruitment Test is used to shortlist candidates for interview. Shortlisted candidates must produce supporting documents during the interview process. Final appointment orders are issued by the Government for selected candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC APFC Recruitment 2026

How many vacancies are available for APFC in 2026?

UPSC has announced 80 vacancies for Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner in EPFO.

What is the APFC salary level?

The APFC post carries Pay Level-10 under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.

What is the educational qualification for APFC?

Candidates must possess a Degree from a recognised University or equivalent.

What is the age limit for APFC?

The maximum age is 35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC and 40 years for SC/ST, subject to applicable relaxations.

What is the last date to apply for UPSC APFC 2026?

The last date is 11 September 2026 up to 6:00 PM.

When will the APFC Recruitment Test be conducted?

The Recruitment Test is scheduled for 20 December 2026.

Is there negative marking in the APFC exam?

Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer.

Is Pune an APFC exam centre?

Yes. Pune is one of the notified Recruitment Test centres.

Can Central Government employees apply for APFC?

Yes, subject to eligibility requirements. Eligible Central Government employees may also receive age relaxation under the conditions specified in the notification, and must inform their Head of Office/Department in writing.

What is the APFC selection process?

Selection involves a Recruitment Test followed by an interview for shortlisted candidates, with a notified 75:25 RT-to-interview weightage.

Conclusion

The UPSC APFC Recruitment 2026 is a significant opportunity for graduates seeking a Group-A Central Government career in EPFO. With 80 vacancies, Level-10 pay, All India Service liability and a broad administrative and enforcement role, the post offers strong long-term career prospects.

Candidates should not wait until the last date to apply, since several Recruitment Test centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis. Verify eligibility and documents carefully before final submission, as the application cannot be modified afterward.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is based on UPSC Special Advertisement No. 52/2026. Candidates are advised to verify all details — including eligibility, dates, fees and syllabus — from the official UPSC notification and the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal before applying. CCS Diary / Jobfandu is not responsible for any discrepancy between this summary and the official notification.

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