UPSC EPFO EO & APFC 2024:

Syllabus, Preparation Strategy, and

Study Materials
Preparing for the UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC exams requires a strategic
approach, a clear roadmap, and effective tips. In order to create and follow an
effective strategy it is essential to understand the syllabus first.
UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC 2024: Syllabus
According to the official notification, the syllabus of the UPSC EPFO EO/AO
and APFC exams broadly comprises the following topics:
General English
Indian Freedom Struggle
Current Events and Developmental Issues
Indian Polity & Economy
General Accounting Principles
Industrial Relations & Labour Laws
General Science & Knowledge of Computer Applications
General Mental Ability & Quantitative Aptitude
Social Security in India 2
The syllabus in the official UPSC notification is indicative. Therefore, we
analyzed previous years’ question papers to identify the detailed syllabus for
each exam.
Below is the detailed syllabus of UPSC EPFO EO/AO and APFC exams:
General English
Here is the detailed general english syllabus:

Parts of speech
Structure of sentence
Subject – verb agreement
Nouns and pronouns
Verbs, tenses and modals
Preposition, conjunction, articles
Adjectives, adverbs, determiners
Reading comprehension

Synonyms and antonyms

Idioms and phrases
One word substitution
Rearrangement para jumbles
Active-passive
Synonyms
Antonyms

2
Physics
Units and measurements
Kinematics including distance, displacement, speed, velocity and
acceleration
Dynamics and Newton’s laws of motion
Electricity
Pressure and its applications
Light – phenomenon like refraction, reflection, total internal reflection,
dispersion, diffraction and interference
Uniform circular motion and simple harmonic motion
Chemistry
Physical and chemical changes
Elements, compounds and mixtures
Atoms and molecules
Chemistry in daily life
Energy – renewable and non-renewable
Metals and non-metals
Acids and bases

Biology
Food components
Health and diseases
Cells and tissues
Organ systems – digestive system, skeletal system, muscular system,
respiratory system, circulatory system and reproductive system

2
 Space Technology (For APFC only)
Satellites and orbits
Indian space programme
Important space agencies of the world
Applications of space technology
Important Technologies (For APFC only)
Nuclear technology
Biotechnology
Information and communication technology
Nanotechnology

Current Events
Here is the detailed syllabus of current events:
Government schemes
Reports of national and international organizations
First in news
Defence exercises
Environment
Sports
Awards and milestones
Days in news
Persons in news
Appointments
Fairs and festivals
Places in news
Books and authors
Miscellaneous
2
Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom
Movement
Here is the detailed syllabus of Indian culture, heritage and freedom
movement:

2
Decline of Mughal Empire and Rise of Regional Powers
Reasons for disintegration of mughal empire
Later mughals after Aurangzeb
Emergence of regional powers
Weakness of regional politics
Advent of Europeans
Advent of Portuguese in India
Dutch in India
Advent of English in India
Advent of Danes in India
Advent of French in India
Rise of British in India
Anglo French struggle for supremacy
British conquest of Bengal
British conquest of Mysore and Maratha empire
British conquest of Sindh, Punjab, and Awadh
British annexation beyond Indian frontiers
Reorganization of British political system
Police administration
Revenue administration
Significant policies of British to consolidate
Early Reforms During British Rule
Administrative reforms under British rule
Aspects of British administration in India
Civil services
Police system
Judicial system
The army 2
Development in press
Development in communication and education
Development of railways
Revolt of 1857
Causes of revolt of 1857
Beginning and spread of revolt
Suppression of revolt
Cause for the failure of revolt
Nature of revolt
Consequences of 1857 revolt
Rise of Nationalism & Formation of INC
Reasons for rise of Indian nationalism
Political associations before Indian National Congress
Highlights of pre – congress political work
Foundation of Indian National Congress
Early nationalists – the moderate era
Contributions of moderate nationalists
Powers and functions of parliament
Prominent moderate leaders
Indian council act of 1892
Swadeshi Movement and Rise of Extremisim
Understanding extremists
Swadeshi movement
Morley Minto reforms
Important Events from 1908 – 1918
First phase of revolutionary activities
Delhi durbars
First world war and nationalist movement
Entry of Mahatma Gandhi in Indian freedom struggle
Important congress sessions between 1908 – 1918
Important Events from 1919 – 1929 2
Post war economic hardships
Government of India act, 1919
Rowlatt act 1919
Non-cooperation and khilafat movement
 Swarajist and 2nd phase of revolutionary interview
Growth of left movement in India
2nd phase of revolutionary struggle
Simon commission and Nehru report
Important Events from 1929 to 1939
Civil disobedience movement – first phase
Karachi congress session
Round table conferences
Second phase of civil disobedience movement
Communal award and Poona pact, 1932
Government of India act of 1935
Aftermath of civil disobedience movement
Provincial elections of 1937

Important Events from 1940 to 1947

Wardha resolution
August offer and individual satyagraha
Cripps mission
Quit India movement
Constitutional deadlocks after quit India Movement
Indian national army and RIN mutiny
Run up to independence
Socio – Religious Reform Movements
Backdrop of Indian renaissance
Important reform movements and their leaders – eastern India
Important reform movements and their leaders – western India
Important reform movements and their leaders – north India 2
Other important movement and their leaders
Reform movements of other religions
Miscellaneous Topics of Modern History
 Anti – colonial rebellions in India
Tribal uprisings
Politico – religious uprisings
Major peasant movements
Miscellaneous Topics of Ancient and Medieval History
Indus valley civilization
Vedic age
Rise of mahajanapadas
Mauryan dynasty
Post Mauryan
Gupta age
Harsha empire
Delhi sultanate
Mughal rule in India
Religion & Philosophy in India (For APFC only)
Schools of Indian philosophy
Buddhism & Jainism
Bhakti & sufi movement in India
Important saints in India
Sculptures & Architecture in India (For APFC only)
Sculptures in Indus valley civilisation
Ancient Indian art – Mauryan & Post Mauryan; Gupta & post Gupta art
Sculptures under Delhi sultanate & mughal rule
Modern sculpture
Pottery in India
Architecture during Indus valley civilisation
Rock cut & cave architecture
Temple Architecture in India (For APFC only) 2
Indo Islamic architecture
Indian Music (For APFC only)
 History of music in India
Anatomy of Indian music
Types of musical instrument
Schools of Indian music – Hindustani & Carnatic music
Popular folk music styles
Popular folk theatre
Indian Dance Forms (For APFC only)
History of dance in India
Important aspects of dances in India
Classical dance forms in India
Folk dance forms in India
Indian Paintings (For APFC only)
Pre historic paintings in India
Mural paintings in India
Miniature paintings in India
Folk painting styles in India
Modern Indian paintings
Indian languages & Literature (For APFC only)
Language families in India
Scripts in India
Linguistic composition in Indian population
Literature in India
Important Fairs & Festivals in India (For APFC only)
UNESCO World Heritage in India (For APFC only)
2
Population, Development and Globalization
(For APFC only)
Here is the detailed syllabus of population, development and globalization:
Indian Geography (For APFC only)
Landforms in India – mountains & hill ranges, plateaus, islands etc.
Political geography – borders of India, locations of states/UTs, etc.
Drainage systems – rivers, lakes, wetlands, etc.
Important places in news
Population (For APFC only)
Distribution of global human population
Population in India – attributes, distribution, and census 2011 data

Development (For APFC only)

Concept of development – meaning, pillars, and processes
Human development – concept and human development index
Globalisation (For APFC only)
Meaning of globalisation
Triggers & barriers for globalisation
Impact of globalisation
Environment (For APFC only)
Basics about pollution & climate change

Governance and Constitution of India

2
Here is the detailed syllabus of governance and constitution of India:
Constitutional Framework of India
Historical background of Indian constitution
Making of Indian constitution
Features of Indian constitution
Preamble of Indian constitution
Amendment of Indian constitution
Basic structure theory of Indian constitution
Indian Union and Its Citizens
Making of Indian union Indian citizenship
Rights and Duties of Indian Citizens
Fundamental rights
Directive principles of state policy
Fundamental duties
Centre State Relations
Legislative relations
Administrative relations
Financial relations
Committees/commissions for centre state relations
Interstate relations – interstate councils, zonal councils etc.
Emergency provisions in India
Executives in India
Union Executive
President of India
Vice president of India
Prime minister of India
Council of ministers at centre 2
Cabinet committees
State Executive
Governor
Chief minister
 Council of ministers at state

Legislatures in India
Parliament of India
Composition of parliament of India
Presiding officers of the parliament
Proceedings of parliament
Legislative procedure in parliament
Annual financial statement – budget
Powers and functions of parliament
Parliamentary privileges
Committees of the parliament

State Legislature
Composition of state legislature
Eligibility of a member of state legislature
Presiding officers of the state legislature
Proceedings of state legislature
Legislative proceedings in the state legislature
Election system in India

Judiciary in India
Supreme court of India
High courts in India
Subordinate courts
National legal service authority
Tribunals in India
Constitutional and Non – Constitutional Bodies in India 2
Major constitutional bodies
Major non – constitutional bodies
Quasi – judicial bodies
Pressure groups
 Regulatory bodies
Local Governments in India
Panchayati raj institutions
Municipalities
Miscellaneous Topics
Union territories
Scheduled and tribal areas
Special provisions for some state
Comparison of Indian constitution with other countries

Present Trends in Indian Economy

Here is the detailed syllabus of present trends in Indian economy:

2
Introduction to Demand and Supply
Microeconomics v macroeconomics
Basics of demand
Basics of supply
Equilibrium
Elasticity of Demand
Concept and factors affecting demand
Shift in demand curve
Price elasticity of demand
Cross elasticity of demand
Income elasticity of demand
Measurement of Growth
Basics of economy
Circular flow of income
Gross domestic product
Important macroeconomic identities
Growth, welfare and development
Market structures
Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India
Poverty
Poverty and its types
Measurement of poverty
Poverty related sustainable development goals

Employment in India
Employment generation in India 2
Types of unemployment in India
Measurement of unemployment
Status of employment in India
Economic History of India
Indian economy: a brief overview
Various sectors of the economy
Features of the Indian economy
Concerns facing the Indian economy
Underdevelopment
Meaning and types of economic planning
Economic planning in India before and after independence
Economic reforms in India
NITI aayog
Monetary Policy
Basics of monetary policy
Monetary policy in India
Instruments of monetary policy
Types of monetary policy
Financial institutions in India
Inflation
Meaning and its causes
Effects of inflation
Important terms associated with inflation
Measures to control inflation
Measuring inflation
Inflation targeting in India
Trends of inflation in India

Fiscal Policy
Basics of budget
Basics of fiscal policy 2
Components of budget
Measures of government deficit
Public debt in India
Goods and services tax
Regional Economic Cooperation
Regional Economic Integration
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation
Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
One Belt, One Road and Maritime Silk Route
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Indian Ocean Rim Association
Indian Ocean Commission
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
BRICS
India’s Experience with Free Trade Agreements
International Economic Institutions
Introduction
The world bank
The international monetary fund
World trade organisation
Opening UP of the Indian Economy, Balance of Payment
Balance of payment
Exchange rate
Types of currencies
Exchange rate management in India
Industrial and Labour Policy
Introduction 2
Evolution of India’s industrial policy
Disinvestment
Micro, small and medium
Enterprises in India
 Special economic zones
National investment and
Manufacturing zones
National manufacturing policy
Industrial corridors
Indices/surveys to measure industrial performance in India
Labour policy
Finance Commission
Appointment
Composition of finance commission
Roles & responsibilities
Procedures and functioning
14th finance commission
15th finance commission

Accountancy
Here is the detailed accountancy syllabus:

2
Introduction to the Accounting
Meaning of an economic event
Branches of Accounting
Understanding the process of accounting
Objective of Accounting
Theory Base of Accounting
Accounting principles and conventions
Accounting terminology
Recording of Transactions
Business transactions and source document
Accounting equation
Accounting books – journal, ledger, cash book and other accounting books
Rules of debit and credit
Types of accounts
Logic of recording of transactions
Trial balance
Concept, importance, and role of trial balance
Types of accounting errors
Formation of trial balance
Suspense account

Bills of Exchange
Concept and introduction
Parties of bill of exchange
Modus operandi of bills of exchange
Promissory note
Discounting of bills – process
Rebate of bill of exchange
2
Accounting Standards
Accounting for share capital
Accounting for inventory and investment
Accounting for bonus shares and buyback of shares
Preparation of the Final Accounts
Understanding of trading account, profit and loss account and balance sheet

2
 Ratio Analysis
Concept and type of ratios
Cash flow statement

Auditing (For APFC only)

Here is the detailed auditing syllabus:
Nature, objective and scope of auditing
Audit strategy, planning & programme
Risk assessment and internal control
Vouching and verification
Company audit
Auditor’s audit
Audit of different type of entities
Classification of audit

Industrial Relations and Labour Laws

Here is the detailed industrial relations and labour laws syllabus:

2
Industrial Relations
Overview of industrial relations
Indian labour force
Trade union
Collective bargaining
Industrial discipline and grievance procedure
Industrial conflicts and disputes
Settlement of industrial disputes
Labour welfare
Wages
Workers participation management
International industrial relations
Industrial health & safety
Miscellaneous

Labour Laws
Payment of wages act, 1936
Minimum wages act, 1948
Trade union act, 1926
Factories act, 1948
Industrial employment (standing orders) act, 1946
Industrial disputes act, 1947
The child and adolescent labour (prohibition and regulation) act, 1986
Inter-state migrant workmen (regulation of employment and conditions of
service) act, 1979
Payment of bonus act, 1965
Building and other construction workers act, 1996
Labor Codes
Code on wages
Industrial relations code 2
Social security code
Occupational safety, health and working conditions code
Introduction to Insurance (For APFC only)
Insurance – basic concept and definition
Risk and insurance
Different parties of insurance
Modus operandi of insurance
Basic terminology of insurance
Principles of Insurance (For APFC only)
Principle of utmost good faith
Principle of insurable interest
Principle of proximate cause
Principle of subrogation
Principle of loss minimization
Principle of indemnity
Principle of contribution

Types of Insurance (For APFC only)

Life insurance and its types
Term insurance
Unit-linked insurance plan
Pension plans
Money back policy
General insurance and its types
Motor insurance
Home insurance
Fire insurance
Miscellaneous other type of insurance
Insurance as a Part of Social Security (For APFC only)
Insurance schemes 2
Insurance role in social security
Difference between social security insurance schemes and private insurance
schemes
Current state of insurance in India
 Emerging concepts in the insurance industry

Social Security
Here is the detailed social security syllabus:
Social Security Schemes
Types of retirement schemes
National pension system
Atal pension yojana
Social security schemes
Social Security Legislations
Employees compensation act, 1923
Employees’ state insurance act, 1948
Employees’ provident fund and miscellaneous provisions act, 1952
Maternity benefit act, 1961
Payment of gratuity act, 1972
Unorganized workers social security act, 2008

Basic Knowledge of Computer Applications

Here is the detailed syllabus of basic knowledge of computer applications:

2
Introduction to Computer
Computer – definition and major parts of computer
Uses of computers, along with advantages and disadvantages of using
computers.
History of computer
Generation of computer
Types of computers
Computer Organisation and Data Processing Cycle
Computer organization
Data processing cycle
Instruction cycle
Hardware and Software
Introduction to the computer hardware and software parts, input and output
devices
Functions of motherboard
Types of software

Memory
Introduction
Memory hierarchy
Memory management
Memory measurement
Operating System
Introduction
Functions of operating system
Types of operating system 2
Basic understanding of MS-DOS and windows
Computer Network
Introduction
Components of computer network
 Types of computer network
Computer network architecture
Network protocols
Network topology
Introduction to the internet
Commonly Used Short-cuts and Full Form Used in Computer
Parlance

Quantitative Aptitude
Here is the detailed quantitative aptitude syllabus:
Simplification
LCM and HCF
Percentage
Ratio and proportion
Mixture and allegation
Profit and loss
Simple and compound interest
Average
Time and work
Pipe and cistern
Time and distance
Boats and streams
Mensuration 2D and 3D
Data interpretation
Probability

General Mental Ability

Here is the detailed syllabus of general mental ability: 2
 Alphabetical and alphanumeric series
Coding and decoding
Syllogism
Direction sense
Ranking and order
Blood relation
Letter series
Analogy
Clock
Calendar
Dice
Venn diagram
Counting figure
Cube and cuboid

Statistics (For APFC exam only)

Here is the detailed syllabus of statistics:
Basics of statistics
Understanding of the core concepts
Mean, median and mode
What is standard deviation and its use
What is dispersion and its application part
Sampling and different methods of sampling

2
UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC: 6 Month Study
Plan​
Before understanding the 6 months study plan, let’s understand how much
you need to study each day.
Category 1 (Working Professional/Housewife): If you fall into category
one, you have a busy schedule and limited time for preparation. However,
for effective preparation, it is recommended to allocate an average of 5 to 6
hours daily.
Category 2 (Full Time Aspirants): If you fall into category two, having the
flexibility to dedicate more time, you can comfortably allocate 7 to 8 hours
on a daily basis for effective preparation.
Here is how you can cover these hours:
Category 1 Category 2
You can cover 5 to 6 hours in two You can cover 7 to 8 hours in three
shifts: shifts:
Morning Shift: 6:00 am to 8:30 Morning Shift: 8:00 am to 10:30
am am
Evening Shift: 8 pm to 11 pm Afternoon Shift: 12:00 pm to 2:30
pm
Evening Shift: 5 pm to 8 pm

Important Note: If you are also preparing for the other exams, you can
allocate your morning and afternoon shifts to cover those exams, and keep
the evening shift to prepare for the EPFO EO/AO & APFC exams. Moreover,
this is a suggested average time requirement that you can adjust based on 2
your individual needs.
 6 Month Study Plan
Days Morning Shift Evening Shift
1 – 40 Accountancy Quantitative Aptitude
41 – 65 Social Security Logical Reasoning
66 – 90 Indian Economy General English
91 – 125 Indian Culture, Heritage &
History Industrial Relations & Labor
126 – Laws
135 Computer Awareness
136 – Governance & Constitution of Auditing + Insurance
165 India
166 – PDG General Science + Statistics
180
A subject-wise timetable for your 2024 UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC
preparation can be immensely helpful in getting you started. However, you
should tailor the above given study-plan and preparation strategy to align
with your strengths, weaknesses, and the available time.
Additionally, after each session, review your performance, pinpoint your
weak areas, and allocate additional time to improve your weaknesses.

UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC: Books and

Resources
Here are the most recommended books and resources to prepare for the 2
UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC exams:
General English 

Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movement 

Governance and Constitution of India 

Present Trends in Indian Economy 

General Science 

Population, Development and Globalization 

Current Events 

Accountancy and Auditing 

Insurance 

Industrial Relations and Labour Laws  2

Social Security 
 Computer 

Elementary Maths 

Reasoning Ability 

Statistics 

Apart from the resources mentioned above, PYQs and mock tests should be
your best friends throughout your preparation journey of the UPSC EPFO
EO/AO & APFC examinations.