UPSC Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 80 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner Posts

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Special Advertisement No. 52/2026 for recruitment to the post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

There are 80 vacancies in this recruitment. The post is a permanent Group ‘A’, Non-Ministerial post. The headquarters is New Delhi, but the post has All India Service liability. This means selected officers may be posted anywhere in India.

Online applications will start on 22 August 2026. The last date to apply is 11 September 2026 up to 6:00 PM.

A Recruitment Test (RT) for APFC is scheduled for 20 December 2026. Shortlisted candidates will later be called for an interview.

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UPSC APFC Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The notification states that the APFC post is permanent and carries All India Service liability.

Vacancy Details

UPSC has announced 80 APFC vacancies.

Out of these 80 vacancies, 3 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The notification gives separate suitability and reservation details for different disability categories.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have a Degree from a recognised University or an equivalent qualification.

The notification also mentions the following as a Desirable Qualification:

• Diploma in Company Law
• Diploma in Labour Laws
• Diploma in Public Administration

The desirable qualification is not the minimum educational requirement. The essential qualification is a recognised University degree or equivalent.

Is work experience required?

The advertisement does not prescribe any work experience as an essential qualification for this APFC post.

However, UPSC may use higher educational qualification, higher relevant experience, desirable qualification or other criteria for shortlisting if there are many applications.

Age Limit

The normal upper age limit is different according to category.

For PwBD candidates, the maximum age limit after applicable relaxation cannot exceed 56 years. The disability-related age relaxation is subject to the conditions given in the notification.

The eligibility of candidates in every respect will be determined with reference to the closing date of the online application, i.e. 11 September 2026.

Other age relaxations are available for eligible categories such as Ex-Servicemen, Central/UT Government employees and EPFO employees as per the conditions given in the notification.

Salary and Pay Scale

The post carries Level-10 in the Pay Matrix as per the 7th Central Pay Commission.

The notification does not give a separate fixed monthly salary figure. Therefore, no additional salary amount is stated here.

The post is permanent and classified as Group ‘A’, Non-Ministerial. The probation period is one year.

Job Location

The headquarters of the post is New Delhi.

However, the APFC post carries All India Service liability. Selected officers may therefore be required to serve in any part of India.

Duties of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner

The APFC post involves several administrative and statutory responsibilities in EPFO.

The duties mentioned in the notification include:

• Enforcement
• Recovery
• Accounts
• Administration
• Cash
• Legal work
• Pension
• Computer-related work
• Conducting inquiries
• Settlement of claims
• General administration
• Maintenance of Cash Book
• Reconciliation of bank statements
• MIS returns

The exact duties may depend on the work assigned to the officer.

Selection Process

The recruitment process includes a Recruitment Test (RT) followed by an Interview.

For APFC, UPSC has specifically scheduled a pen-and-paper Recruitment Test on 20 December 2026.

The Recruitment Test will have:

• Duration: 2 hours
• Type: Objective-type multiple-choice questions
• Medium: English and Hindi
• Negative Marking: One-third of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong answer

The RT will carry 300 marks, while the interview will carry 100 marks. The notification mentions a 75:25 weightage between the RT and interview.

Recruitment Test Syllabus

The broad syllabus includes:

1. General English
2. Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movements
3. Indian Economy
4. Governance and Constitution of India
5. General Science and Basic Computer Applications
6. Elementary Mathematics, Statistics and General Mental Ability
7. Industrial Relations, Labour Codes and Social Security in India
8. Principles of Accountancy, Auditing and Insurance
9. Current Events of National and International Importance

Recruitment Test Centres

The notification lists 84 possible Recruitment Test centres across India.

These include Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Guwahati and many other cities.

Centre allotment is generally on a first-apply-first-allot basis where a ceiling applies. Once a centre reaches its capacity, candidates may have to choose another available centre.

UPSC also reserves the right to change examination centres if required. No request for change of centre will be entertained.

Application Fee

The application fee is ₹25.

The fee can be paid through Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI or Internet Banking.

The notification clearly states that there is no fee exemption for OBC/EWS/Unreserved male candidates. Fee once paid will not be refunded.

Documents Required

Candidates must upload documents supporting the claims made in the application.

The notification specifically mentions the following documents:

• Matriculation/10th certificate or equivalent document showing date of birth
• Degree/Diploma certificate
• Provisional certificate with marksheets, where applicable
• Equivalent qualification order/letter, if claiming an equivalent qualification
• Experience certificate, if applicable
• SC/ST/OBC caste certificate, where applicable
• OBC non-creamy-layer declaration, where applicable
• PwBD disability certificate, where applicable
• Age relaxation certificate, where applicable
• Certificates relating to Professional Registration, Language, Publications, NET, GATE, Conference or Internship, where applicable
• Documentary support for any other claim made in the application

If a document is in a language other than Hindi or English, a duly attested transcript must also be submitted.

Important Photo and Signature Requirements

Candidates must upload their photograph as instructed by UPSC.

They must also capture a live photograph while filling the Common Application Form.

For the signature, candidates have to sign three times one below another on plain white paper using black ink and upload the signature as instructed.

How to Apply for UPSC APFC Recruitment 2026

Candidates have to apply online through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal.

UPSC Online Recruitment Application Portal

Step 1: Create an account

Create an account on the UPSC Online Application Portal.

Step 2: Complete Universal Registration

After registration, UPSC will generate a Universal Registration Number (URN).

Step 3: Complete the Common Application Form

Fill in the required personal and educational details carefully.

Step 4: Fill the APFC-specific application

Select the APFC vacancy and complete the post-specific application.

Step 5: Upload documents

Upload the required certificates and documents in the prescribed manner.

Step 6: Pay the fee

Pay ₹25 if the candidate is not covered under the fee exemption.

Step 7: Submit the application

Check every detail before final submission.

After submission, candidates must take a printout of the finally submitted application.

UPSC does not allow withdrawal or correction/modification after submission. Candidates are therefore advised to check all details carefully before submitting the form.

Candidates are not required to send the application printout or documents by post. These documents will be required if the candidate is called for interview.

Important Dates

The interview date will be communicated separately to shortlisted candidates.

Important Instructions

Candidates should enter a correct and active email ID because UPSC will use email for important communication.

An e-Admit Card will be made available on the UPSC website before the Recruitment Test. It will not be sent by post or email.

Candidates must use a black ball pen for writing and marking answers in the OMR sheet. Wrong answers will carry negative marking.

Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices and other prohibited electronic items are not allowed in the examination or interview hall.

Travel Allowance for Interview

Candidates coming from outside Delhi for the interview may receive the Commission’s contribution towards travel expenses.

The reimbursement is restricted to Second/Sleeper Class train fare by Mail/Express train, subject to the conditions in the notification.

Candidates should bring the required TA forms and ticket documents for claiming the travel contribution.

Official Notification and Apply Link

Official Apply Portal:
UPSC Online Recruitment Application

Official UPSC Website:
Union Public Service Commission

Notification: Special Advertisement No. 52/2026, Vacancy No. 26085201722. The uploaded notification contains the complete 29-page advertisement and appendices.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many vacancies are available in UPSC APFC Recruitment 2026?

There are 80 vacancies for Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner.

2. What is the qualification for APFC?

Candidates need a Degree from a recognised University or equivalent.

3. Is experience compulsory for APFC?

No. The advertisement does not prescribe work experience as an essential qualification.

4. What is the maximum age for the APFC post?

The normal maximum age is 35 years for UR/EWS candidates. It is 38 years for OBC and 40 years for SC/ST candidates, subject to the applicable rules.

5. What is the pay level?

The post carries Level-10 in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC.

6. Is the APFC post permanent?

Yes. The notification describes it as a permanent Group ‘A’, Non-Ministerial post.

7. What is the last date to apply?

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

8. When will the APFC Recruitment Test be held?

The Recruitment Test is scheduled for 20 December 2026.

9. What is the application fee?

The fee is ₹25 for candidates who are not exempted. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted from payment of the fee.

10. Is the job location only Delhi?

No. The headquarters is New Delhi, but the post has All India Service liability. Selected officers may serve anywhere in India.

The UPSC APFC recruitment offers 80 permanent Group ‘A’ vacancies in EPFO. The minimum educational requirement is a recognised University degree. The selection will involve the Recruitment Test and Interview, with the RT scheduled for 20 December 2026.

Candidates should fill the online application carefully. UPSC does not allow correction or withdrawal after final submission. It is better to complete the application well before the 11 September 2026, 6:00 PM deadline.