UPSC EPFO APFC Notification 2026 is out for 80 posts. Get exact dates, eligibility, age limit, salary, and application

If you’ve been refreshing the UPSC website every week hoping to see the APFC notification, the wait is finally over. On 19 August 2026, the Union Public Service Commission released the short notice for the UPSC EPFO APFC Notification 2026, announcing 80 vacancies for the post of Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

This isn’t just another government job listing. APFC is a Group “A” gazetted post with a starting basic pay of ₹56,100, postings across India, and a genuine career path into senior EPFO leadership roles. But the application window is short, and small mistakes in the form — a wrong age calculation, a missed document, an unpaid fee — can knock you out before the exam even starts.

In this guide, you’ll get every date, every eligibility rule, and the practical steps you need to apply correctly the first time. Whether you’re a fresh graduate exploring your first competitive exam or someone who’s applied for EPFO before, this article covers what actually matters right now.

 What Is UPSC EPFO APFC Notification 2026?

The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) recruitment is conducted by UPSC on behalf of the EPFO, which functions under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The 2026 cycle was announced through Indicative Special Advertisement No. 52/2026, and it covers only the APFC post this year — unlike previous cycles that sometimes combined APFC with Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer (EO/AO) vacancies.

APFC officers handle enforcement of provident fund laws, inspection of establishments, grievance redressal, and administrative functions within EPFO’s regional offices. It’s a desk-and-field hybrid role, which is part of why it attracts candidates from commerce, law, and general graduate backgrounds alike.

Important Dates

Practical tip: UPSC’s application servers tend to slow down in the last 48 hours before closing. Based on past cycles, aim to complete your form at least 3–4 days before 11 September 2026, not on the last day.

Vacancy Details

A total of 80 APFC posts have been notified under Vacancy No. 26085201722. This is a meaningful increase compared to last year’s 74 vacancies, which is good news for aspirants. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories will apply as per government norms, and a small number of seats are earmarked for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.

The category-wise breakup will be published in the detailed notification PDF once it’s live on the UPSC portal, so check that document carefully rather than relying only on secondary sources.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institution.
• A diploma in Company Law, Labour Laws, or Public Administration is desirable but not compulsory.

This is one of the more accessible eligibility bars among Group “A” central government exams — you don’t need a specialized degree, which is why APFC draws applicants from commerce, arts, science, and professional courses alike.

Nationality

Candidates must be:

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement, or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Age Limit and Relaxation

Age is calculated as of the last date for submission of the application, i.e., 11 September 2026. There is no minimum age specified.

Example: If you were born on or after 12 September 1991 and belong to the unreserved category, you meet the age criterion. If you’re OBC, the cut-off extends to roughly 1988, subject to your valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate.

Always cross-check the exact relaxation table in the official detailed notification, since UPSC sometimes adjusts specific clauses year to year.

Application Fee

UPSC typically charges around ₹25 for general/OBC/EWS male candidates, with full fee exemption for women, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. Fees are payable online or via bank challan. Always keep the payment confirmation until your admit card is downloaded — a failed transaction that still deducted money is a common issue candidates report.

Salary and Perks

APFC is placed at Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, with a basic pay of ₹56,100. After allowances like Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and Transport Allowance, the in-hand salary for most metro postings comes to roughly ₹1,00,000–₹1,10,000 per month, though the exact figure depends on your place of posting.

Beyond salary, APFC officers get:

• Central Government employee benefits (pension under NPS, medical coverage, LTC)
• A defined promotion ladder toward Regional PF Commissioner and higher EPFO leadership roles
• Job security and a 2-year probation period, standard for Group “A” services

Selection Process

Selection happens in two stages:

1. Recruitment Test (RT): A written, objective-type test covering General English, General Knowledge, Indian Freedom Struggle, Indian Polity and Economy, General Accounting Principles, Industrial Relations and Labour Laws, and General Science.
2. Interview/Personality Test: Shortlisted candidates from the RT are called for an interview assessing overall suitability for the role.

Final merit is based on combined performance in both stages — the written test isn’t the finish line, so don’t neglect interview preparation once you clear it.

Application Guide

Follow these steps once the application portal opens on 22 August 2026:

1. Visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) and locate the APFC 2026 recruitment link under “Online Recruitment Application (ORA).”
2. Register with a valid email ID and mobile number; note down your registration ID.
3. Fill in personal, educational, and category details carefully — match them exactly with your certificates.
4. Upload documents: scanned photograph, signature, and category/PwBD certificates if applicable, in the specified format and size.
5. Pay the application fee through net banking, debit/credit card, or challan.
6. Preview your form before final submission — UPSC generally does not allow edits after submission.
7. Download and save a printed copy of the confirmation page for your records.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting until the last day: Server overload near 11 September 2026 can cause failed submissions.
• Mismatched details: Name or date of birth spelled differently from your certificates leads to rejection at the verification stage.
• Wrong category selection: Once submitted, category changes are usually not permitted.
• Ignoring the detailed notification: The short notice gives an overview; the full PDF (expected 22 August 2026) has binding eligibility clauses you must read.
• Skipping fee payment confirmation: Some candidates assume payment went through without checking the receipt, leaving their application incomplete.

 Application and Preparation

• Start with the UPSC EPFO APFC syllabus immediately after applying — don’t wait for the admit card.
• Focus early on General Accounting Principles and Labour Laws, since these are less commonly studied compared to General Knowledge and English.
• Practice previous years’ APFC papers to understand the difficulty level and question pattern.
• If you’re also eligible for other central exams (like RBI Grade B or SSC CGL), compare syllabi — there’s meaningful overlap in GK and English sections, so preparation isn’t wasted effort.
• Keep scanned documents (photo, signature, certificates) ready in advance in the exact size/format UPSC specifies, so the application step doesn’t become a last-minute scramble.

Latest Updates and Trends

• The 2026 cycle is APFC-only; the EO/AO requisition for this round appears to have been withdrawn or deferred, based on current notification patterns.
• Vacancies have risen from 74 (2025 cycle) to 80 this year, reflecting continued expansion within EPFO’s regional offices.
• UPSC continues to prioritize online-only applications through its ORA portal, with no offline application option.

Key Takeaways

• UPSC released the APFC 2026 short notice on 19 August 2026 for 80 vacancies.
• Applications open 22 August 2026 and close 11 September 2026.
• Minimum qualification: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
• Age limit: 21–35 years (UR), with relaxation for reserved categories.
• Selection: Recruitment Test + Interview.
• Pay Level 10, basic pay ₹56,100, in-hand salary roughly ₹1 lakh/month depending on posting.

Conclusion

The UPSC EPFO APFC Notification 2026 is a solid opportunity for graduates from any stream who want a stable, respected central government career with genuine growth potential. The eligibility bar is reasonable, the pay is competitive, and with 80 vacancies this year, your odds are better than in many other Group “A” exams. The key now is execution: read the detailed notification the moment it’s out on 22 August 2026, apply early, and begin your Recruitment Test preparation without waiting for the admit card. Small, timely actions over the next few weeks will matter far more than last-minute effort closer to the exam.