UPSC EPFO Preparation Strategy 2025: Study Plan, Tips, Books, Mock Tests

Crack the UPSC EPFO exam with our complete preparation strategy, study plan, expert tips, recommended books, mock test guidance, and previous year paper analysis to boost your score in just 3–6 months.

UPSC EPFO Preparation Strategy
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UPSC EPFO Preparation Strategy: Preparation for UPSC EPFO requires a well-structured strategy to clear the highly competitive UPSC examination. Based on past trends and insights from toppers suggested that A focused preparation of 3 to 6 months is sufficient for the candidates to clear the exam, and prior knowledge and background of the Candidate also play an important role in the selection.

Also Read: EPFO Application Form 2025

UPSC EPFO Preparation Strategy Overview

UPSC EPFO preparation strategy is essential to cover the vast syllabus of the examination in a short time to secure a good rank in UPSC EPFO examination. The strategy and exam nature overview is given below:

UPSC EPFO Preparation Strategy Overview

Aspect 

Details

Name of the Examination Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation(EPFO)
Total Vacancies in EPFO 230
Time Duration in EPFO Exam 120 Minutes( 2 Hours)
Total Number of Questions in EPFO Examination 120
Is there a minus marking in EPFO Exam Yes ⅓ ed
Who Conducts EPFO Exam  UPSC
Ideal Time to Prepare for EPFO Exam 3 months

Also Read: UPSC EPFO Eligibility 2025

UPSC EPFO Preparation Tips

After consulting with previous years’ toppers and noting down their tips for UPSC EPFO, we have created the tips for EPFO aspirants as given below:

 

  • Thoroughly understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus and analyse previous year papers of 3–5 years.
  • Develop a 3–6 month Realistic Study Plan, give time to each subject based on its weightage and your strengths/weaknesses.
  • Avoid using multiple sources. Stick to reliable, high-quality resources such as a Standard book like Spectrum for history to avoid confusion.
  • Solve previous year question papers (PYQs) to understand EPFO paper question trends and difficulty levels. evise notes daily, weekly, and monthly
  • Read newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express regularly 
  • Read government schemes, reports, indices, and events from the last 8–12 months.
  • Join Coaching or Mentorship if you can afford but it’s not mandatory. Self-study with discipline is sufficient to clear the UPSC EPFO examination
  • Manage time efficiently and stay healthy through proper diet and exercise.

UPSC EPFO Books

UPSC EPFO examination is one of the toughest competitive examinations in the country. It requires a well-planned strategy to cover the whole syllabus timely manner. We have provided the detailed topic-wise book list for the UPSC EPFO examination:

UPSC EPFO Books

Subjects 

Recommended Books

General English For EPFO Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, High School English Grammar by Wren & Martin.
Indian Freedom Struggle For EPFO India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra, Modern India by Spectrum.
Indian Polity For EPFO Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
Indian Economy  For EPFO Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, NCERT Economics (Class 11–12)
General Accounting Principles  For EPFO Fundamentals of Accounting by T.S. Grewal
Labour Laws for EPFO Labour Laws by P.K. Padhi, Bare Acts, Shankar IAS Material.
General Science for EPFO NCERT Science (Class 6–10), General Science by Lucent
Current Affairs  For EPFO The Hindu or Indian Express newspapers, Yojana, Kurukshetra, and IAS HUB  monthly magazines.
Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning  For EPFO Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal.

UPSC EPFO Mock Tests

Mock test in UPSC EPFO exam for Enforcement Officer (EO), Accounts Officer (AO), or Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) requires a strategic study plan, and mock tests are one of the critical components for success in EPFO exam. They help in the following way:

  • Assess the applicant’s preparation, and give them Real Exam Conditions. It helps in reducing exam-day anxiety and nervousness.
  • Mock test identifies strengths and exposes the Weaknesses of the candidate.
  • Mock tests Improve Time Management and increase speed and accuracy, crucial for handling the 120-question, 2-hour exam.
  • Mock tests make you Familiar with the exam pattern, which boosts your confidence for the D Day.

UPSC EPFO Preparation Strategy FAQs

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Study key acts like the Employees’ Provident Fund Act 1952, ESI Act 1948, Maternity Benefit Act, and the four Labour Codes (2020). From  Bare Acts, Shankar IAS material, or IGNOU notes for clarity. Stay updated on recent labour reforms and EPFO initiatives.

Read The Hindu/Indian Express newspapers daily and books like Word Power Made Easy to improve vocabulary. Use Wren & Martin for grammar rules. Practice comprehension by summarising articles and solving PYQs/mock tests to enhance speed and accuracy.

Mock Tests are  Essential for improving speed (1 minute per question), accuracy, and time management. Previous Year Papers (PYQs) will help you understand question patterns, difficulty levels, and high-weightage topics. Solve papers from at least the last 5 years.

Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) is the sole constitutional body responsible for conducting the EPFO examination. It has set the highest standard while conducting the EPFO examination with transparency and fairness.


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Best IAS Coaching In Delhi, UPSC Online & Offline Classes by IAShub

Are you dreaming of becoming an IAS officer? Then, IAShub can be your best guide. It is one of the Best IAS Coaching in Delhi. Many students who want to clear the UPSC exam join IAShub for learning. The institute gives both online and offline classes. Their teachers are experienced and helpful. They easily explain every topic. Students also get notes, tests, and tips to do well in the exam.

UPSC Online Classes by IAShub

IAShub is in Delhi and is trusted by many UPSC students. It offers coaching for every part of the UPSC exam – Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The classes are simple and easy to understand. The teachers are experts and guide students in the right way. IAShub is also known for its helpful notes, test series, and answer-writing practice. IAShub is the best coaching in Delhi and also gives UPSC Online Classes. This helps students from any place in India to learn. The online classes are live and also recorded. So, students can watch them anytime. These classes cover the full UPSC syllabus.

Key Offerings Provided by IAShub

Here are some important services provided by IAShub:

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  • Live Classes: Students who live far can join live UPSC online classes. These classes are just like real classes.
  • QEP for Mains: The Quality Enrichment Program (QEP) is special for Mains preparation. It helps students write better and faster.
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  • Free Resource: IAShub gives free notes by toppers and helpful Main Booster material.
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UPSC Exam Overview

The UPSC Civil Services Exam has three parts:

  • Prelims: It has two papers: General Studies and CSAT.
  • Mains: It has nine papers, including essays and optional subjects.
  • Interview: It tests the personality and confidence of the student.

This exam is tough, but with the right guidance, it becomes easy to manage. Students must study smart and stay regular.

How IAShub Helps in the UPSC Journey

IAShub supports students from the beginning to the end. It gives the right books, tests, and notes. The classes are easy to follow, and the teachers are always ready to help. Students get personal doubt sessions too. The test series and answer checking help students learn where they need to do better. Also, free study materials save time and money.
IAShub also guides students during the final stage – the interview. Experts take mock interviews and give useful tips. This full support makes IAShub one of the best IAS coaching in Delhi.

Best IAS Coaching In Delhi FAQs

Yes, IAShub offers live and recorded online classes. Students can attend from any part of India.

Classes are available in both English and Hindi, so students can choose the language they are comfortable with.

The classroom centre is located in Delhi. Students can visit and join offline batches there.

IAShub gives interview guidance sessions to help students prepare for the final round of UPSC.
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