Syllabus and Exam Pattern for UPSC EPFO Exam 2024
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit officers for the post of Enforcement Officer/Accountant in the EPFO. The exam is held annually, and the syllabus and exam pattern are subject to change. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the syllabus and exam pattern for the UPSC EPFO Exam 2024, based on the latest information available.
Exam Pattern
The UPSC EPFO Exam 2024 will be conducted in two stages:
Stage 1: Computer Based Examination (CBE)
- Objective Type Questions: The CBE will consist of objective type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- Duration: The exam will be held for a duration of 2 hours.
- Number of Questions: The question paper will have a total of 120 questions.
- Marking Scheme: Each question will carry 1 mark. There will be negative marking for incorrect answers.
- Sections: The CBE will be divided into four sections:
- General Studies: This section will cover topics related to Indian Polity, Economy, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.
- General Awareness: This section will test the candidate’s knowledge of general awareness, including topics related to science, technology, environment, and culture.
- Quantitative Aptitude: This section will assess the candidate’s ability to solve problems related to arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
- Reasoning Ability: This section will test the candidate’s logical reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Stage 2: Interview
- Candidates who qualify in the CBE will be shortlisted for the interview.
- The interview will be conducted by a board of experts.
- The interview will assess the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and suitability for the post.
- The interview will carry a weightage of 100 marks**.
Table 1: Exam Pattern for UPSC EPFO Exam 2024
| Stage | Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 (CBE) | General Studies | 30 | 30 | 2 Hours |
| General Awareness | 30 | 30 | ||
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | ||
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | ||
| Stage 2 | Interview | – | 100 | – |
Syllabus for UPSC EPFO Exam 2024
The detailed syllabus for the UPSC EPFO Exam 2024 is provided below:
General Studies
- Indian Polity:
- Indian Constitution – Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, basic structure doctrine.
- Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties.
- Union Government, Parliament, President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers.
- State Government, Governor, Chief Minister, State Legislature.
- Judiciary – Supreme Court, High Courts, Judicial Review.
- Panchayati Raj Institutions, Local Self-Government.
- Election Commission, Election Process.
- Public Policy, Administrative Reforms.
- Indian Economy:
- Economic Development and Planning – Five-Year Plans, NITI Aayog.
- National Income, Poverty, Inequality, Unemployment.
- Agriculture, Industry, Services Sector.
- Infrastructure – Transportation, Communication, Energy.
- Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Inflation, Deflation.
- Foreign Trade, Balance of Payments.
- International Economic Institutions – World Bank, IMF, WTO.
- Indian History:
- Ancient India – Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire.
- Medieval India – Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara Empire.
- Modern India – British Rule, Indian National Movement, Independence.
- Post-Independence India – Economic and Social Development, Major Events.
- Indian Geography:
- Physical Geography – Landforms, Climate, Soils, Vegetation.
- Human Geography – Population, Settlement, Migration, Urbanization.
- Economic Geography – Agriculture, Industry, Resources.
- Environmental Geography – Pollution, Climate Change, Disaster Management.
- Current Affairs:
- National and International Events of the Past Year.
- Major Issues and Developments in India and the World.
General Awareness
- Science and Technology:
- Basic Concepts of Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
- Recent Developments in Science and Technology.
- Space Exploration, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology.
- Information Technology, Computers, Internet.
- Environment:
- Environmental Issues – Pollution, Climate Change, Deforestation.
- Conservation of Biodiversity, Wildlife Protection.
- Sustainable Development, Environmental Laws.
- Culture:
- Indian Art, Literature, Music, Dance.
- Indian Heritage and Culture.
- Major Festivals and Traditions.
Quantitative Aptitude
- Arithmetic:
- Number Systems, HCF, LCM, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Average, Mixtures and Alligations.
- Algebra:
- Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Progressions.
- Geometry:
- Lines, Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, Mensuration.
- Data Interpretation:
- Tables, Graphs, Charts, Data Analysis.
Reasoning Ability
- Logical Reasoning:
- Analogies, Classification, Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense.
- Analytical Reasoning:
- Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Data Sufficiency.
- Verbal Reasoning:
- Synonyms, Antonyms, Sentence Completion, Comprehension.
Table 2: Detailed Syllabus for UPSC EPFO Exam 2024
| Section | Sub-Section | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | Indian Polity | Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Union Government, State Government, Judiciary, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Election Commission |
| Indian Economy | Economic Development and Planning, National Income, Agriculture, Industry, Infrastructure, Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Foreign Trade | |
| Indian History | Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, Post-Independence India | |
| Indian Geography | Physical Geography, Human Geography, Economic Geography, Environmental Geography | |
| Current Affairs | National and International Events, Major Issues and Developments | |
| General Awareness | Science and Technology | Basic Concepts of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Recent Developments, Space Exploration, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology |
| Environment | Environmental Issues, Conservation of Biodiversity, Sustainable Development, Environmental Laws | |
| Culture | Indian Art, Literature, Music, Dance, Indian Heritage and Culture, Major Festivals and Traditions | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic | Number Systems, HCF, LCM, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Average, Mixtures and Alligations |
| Algebra | Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Progressions | |
| Geometry | Lines, Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, Mensuration | |
| Data Interpretation | Tables, Graphs, Charts, Data Analysis | |
| Reasoning Ability | Logical Reasoning | Analogies, Classification, Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense |
| Analytical Reasoning | Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Data Sufficiency | |
| Verbal Reasoning | Synonyms, Antonyms, Sentence Completion, Comprehension |
Preparation Strategy for UPSC EPFO Exam 2024
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
- Refer to Relevant Books and Study Materials: Use standard textbooks and study materials for each subject.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve previous year papers to get familiar with the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Develop Time Management Skills: Time management is crucial for success in the exam. Practice solving questions within the stipulated time.
- Focus on Current Affairs: Stay updated with current affairs through newspapers, magazines, and online resources.
- Join Coaching Classes (Optional): Coaching classes can provide structured guidance and expert advice.
- Stay Motivated and Consistent: Consistency and dedication are key to success in any competitive exam.
Conclusion
The UPSC EPFO Exam is a challenging but rewarding exam. With proper preparation and a well-defined strategy, candidates can increase their chances of success. The syllabus and exam pattern provided in this article will help candidates prepare effectively for the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers
1. What is the eligibility criteria for the UPSC EPFO Exam?
- Candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university.
- Age limit varies depending on the category.
2. What is the exam pattern for the UPSC EPFO Exam?
- The exam is conducted in two stages: Computer Based Examination (CBE) and Interview.
- The CBE consists of four sections: General Studies, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
- The interview assesses personality, communication skills, and suitability for the post.
3. What is the syllabus for the General Studies section?
- It covers topics related to Indian Polity, Economy, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.
4. What is the syllabus for the General Awareness section?
- It tests knowledge of general awareness, including science, technology, environment, and culture.
5. What is the syllabus for the Quantitative Aptitude section?
- It assesses arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation skills.
6. What is the syllabus for the Reasoning Ability section?
- It tests logical reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
7. How many questions are there in the CBE?
- The CBE has 120 questions, each carrying 1 mark.
8. Is there negative marking in the CBE?
- Yes, there is negative marking for incorrect answers.
9. What is the weightage of the interview?
- The interview carries a weightage of 100 marks.
10. How can I prepare for the UPSC EPFO Exam?
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
- Refer to relevant books and study materials.
- Practice previous year papers.
- Develop time management skills.
- Stay updated with current affairs.
- Join coaching classes (optional).
- Stay motivated and consistent.
11. What are some good books for preparing for the exam?
- Refer to standard textbooks and study materials recommended by coaching institutes.
12. When is the UPSC EPFO Exam 2024 scheduled?
- The exact date is announced by UPSC on its official website.
13. How can I apply for the UPSC EPFO Exam?
- Applications are submitted online through the UPSC website.
14. What are the important dates for the exam?
- Refer to the official notification released by UPSC for important dates.
15. What are the career prospects after clearing the UPSC EPFO Exam?
- Successful candidates are appointed as Enforcement Officer/Accountant in the EPFO.
- The job offers good career growth opportunities and job security.