Prelims Syllabus of upsc epfo Exam 2024

Prelims Syllabus of UPSC EPFO Exam 2024

The UPSC EPFO exam is a highly competitive examination for recruitment to the post of Enforcement Officer/Accountant in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The exam is conducted in two stages:

• Prelims: An objective type paper consisting of 100 questions carrying a total of 200 marks.
• Mains: A descriptive paper consisting of two papers, each carrying 100 marks.

This article focuses on the Prelims syllabus for the UPSC EPFO Exam 2024.

General Studies (GS)

The General Studies section covers a wide range of topics, including:

1. Current Events of National and International Importance:

This section tests your understanding of current affairs, both in India and globally.

• Focus Areas:
  • Major national and international events
  • Economic, social, and political developments
  • Important personalities and their contributions
  • Key agreements and treaties
  • Major awards and recognitions

2. Indian Economy and Social Structure:

This section assesses your knowledge of the Indian economy and its social fabric.

• Focus Areas:
  • Economic growth and development
  • Poverty, inequality, and social justice
  • Infrastructure and industrial development
  • Agriculture and rural development
  • Education, healthcare, and social welfare
  • Labor and employment
  • Financial markets and institutions
  • Government policies and schemes

3. General Principles of Governance, Constitution, Polity, Law, and Justice:

This section covers the fundamental principles of governance, the Indian Constitution, the political system, and the legal framework.

• Focus Areas:
  • Indian Constitution: Features, amendments, and key provisions
  • Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy
  • Union and State Governments: Structure, functions, and powers
  • Parliament and State Legislatures: Composition, powers, and procedures
  • Judiciary: Structure, functions, and powers
  • Independent institutions: Election Commission, CAG, and others
  • Public policy and administration
  • Legal principles and concepts
  • Human rights and international law

4. General Science:

This section covers basic concepts in science, including physics, chemistry, biology, and general science.

• Focus Areas:
  • Basic scientific principles and theories
  • Everyday science and technology
  • Environmental science and climate change
  • Health and hygiene
  • Space exploration and astronomy

5. General Mental Ability and Reasoning:

This section tests your logical reasoning, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.

• Focus Areas:
  • Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
  • Data interpretation and analysis
  • Logical deduction and inference
  • Problem-solving and decision-making

Subject-Specific Topics

The subject-specific topics are related to the work of the EPFO and cover areas like labor laws, social security, and financial management.

1. Labour Laws:

This section covers the major labor laws in India, including:

• Focus Areas:
  • The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947: Dispute resolution, strikes, lockouts, and industrial relations.
  • The Trade Unions Act, 1926: Registration, functions, and rights of trade unions.
  • The Factories Act, 1948: Safety, health, and working conditions in factories.
  • The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952: Provisions related to EPF, pension, and insurance schemes.
  • The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948: Provisions related to medical benefits, sickness, and maternity benefits.
  • The Payment of Wages Act, 1936: Regulation of wages and payment of wages.
  • The Minimum Wages Act, 1948: Fixing and enforcement of minimum wages.
  • The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970: Regulation of contract labor.
  • The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986: Prohibition and regulation of child labor.

2. Social Security:

This section covers the principles and practices of social security in India.

• Focus Areas:
  • Social Security Schemes: EPF, ESIC, PM-KISAN, and other schemes.
  • Social Security Legislation: Acts and regulations related to social security.
  • International Social Security Standards: ILO conventions and other international standards.
  • Social Security Challenges: Poverty, inequality, and access to social security.

3. Financial Management:

This section covers basic concepts and principles of financial management.

• Focus Areas:
  • Financial Accounting: Basic accounting principles, financial statements, and analysis.
  • Cost Accounting: Costing methods, cost control, and cost analysis.
  • Financial Analysis: Ratio analysis, trend analysis, and financial forecasting.
  • Investment Management: Investment principles, portfolio management, and risk management.
  • Financial Institutions: Banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions.

4. Computer Literacy:

This section assesses your basic computer skills and knowledge.

• Focus Areas:
  • Computer Fundamentals: Hardware, software, operating systems, and networks.
  • MS Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Internet and Web Browsing: Basic internet usage and web browsing skills.
  • Data Entry and Processing: Basic data entry and processing skills.

Preparation Strategy

Here are some tips for preparing for the UPSC EPFO Prelims exam:

• Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly understand the syllabus and identify the key topics.
• Refer to Quality Study Material: Use standard textbooks, reference books, and online resources.
• Focus on Current Affairs: Stay updated with current events through newspapers, magazines, and online portals.
• Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Solve previous years’ papers to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
• Develop Time Management Skills: Learn to solve questions quickly and accurately within the time limit.
• Take Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation level and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
• Stay Motivated and Focused: Maintain a positive attitude and stay focused on your goals.

Important Resources

• UPSC EPFO Official Website: https://www.upsc.gov.in/
• EPFO Website: https://www.epfindia.gov.in/
• Standard Textbooks: NCERT books, Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity, Ramesh Singh’s Indian Economy, etc.
• Online Resources: InsightsonIndia, IASbaba, Mrunal, etc.
• Previous Years’ Papers: Available on the UPSC website and other online platforms.

Sample Tables

Table 1: Distribution of Marks in UPSC EPFO Prelims Exam

Subject	Marks
General Studies	100
Subject-Specific Topics	100
Total	200

Table 2: Important Labor Laws for UPSC EPFO Exam

Act	Year	Key Provisions
The Industrial Disputes Act	1947	Dispute resolution, strikes, lockouts, and industrial relations
The Trade Unions Act	1926	Registration, functions, and rights of trade unions
The Factories Act	1948	Safety, health, and working conditions in factories
The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act	1952	Provisions related to EPF, pension, and insurance schemes
The Employees’ State Insurance Act	1948	Provisions related to medical benefits, sickness, and maternity benefits
The Payment of Wages Act	1936	Regulation of wages and payment of wages
The Minimum Wages Act	1948	Fixing and enforcement of minimum wages
The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act	1970	Regulation of contract labor
The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act	1986	Prohibition and regulation of child labor

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers: UPSC EPFO Exam 2024 Prelims

1. What is the exam pattern for the UPSC EPFO Prelims exam?

The exam is an objective type paper consisting of 100 questions carrying a total of 200 marks. It is divided into two sections: General Studies (GS) and Subject-Specific Topics.

2. What are the key topics covered in the General Studies section?

The GS section covers current events, Indian economy and social structure, governance, constitution, polity, law, justice, general science, and general mental ability and reasoning.

3. Which labor laws are important for the Subject-Specific Topics section?

The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, The Trade Unions Act, 1926, The Factories Act, 1948, The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, The Payment of Wages Act, 1936, The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, and The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 are crucial.

4. What are some important social security schemes to study?

EPF, ESIC, PM-KISAN, and other government schemes are important for understanding social security in India.

5. What are the basic financial management concepts covered in the exam?

Financial accounting, cost accounting, financial analysis, investment management, and financial institutions are key areas.

6. What computer skills are required for the exam?

Basic computer fundamentals, MS Office Suite, internet and web browsing, and data entry and processing skills are expected.

7. How can I prepare for the current events section?

Stay updated with national and international news through newspapers, magazines, and online portals.

8. What are some good resources for preparing for the exam?

Standard textbooks, reference books, online resources like InsightsonIndia, IASbaba, Mrunal, and previous years’ papers are valuable resources.

9. How important are mock tests in preparation?

Mock tests help you assess your preparation level, identify strengths and weaknesses, and improve time management skills.

10. What is the best way to stay motivated during preparation?

Set realistic goals, maintain a positive attitude, and focus on your strengths while addressing your weaknesses.