UPSC EPFO / APFC Exam Preparation Notes
1. General English
• Grammar & Sentence Structure – Parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, articles,
prepositions, tenses.
• Vocabulary – Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases, one-word substitutions.
• Error Detection & Sentence Correction – Spotting grammatical errors in sentences.
• Reading Comprehension – Passages based on economics, governance, social issues.
• Para Jumbles – Arrange sentences to form a logical passage.
• Cloze Test – Fill-in-the-blanks with correct words.
2. Indian Culture, Heritage and Freedom Movements
• Ancient India – Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Mauryan & Gupta Empire, religion
(Buddhism, Jainism).
• Medieval India – Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Bhakti & Sufi Movements, Regional kingdoms.
• Modern India – Advent of Europeans, British policies, social reform movements.
• Freedom Struggle – Revolt of 1857, Congress phases, Gandhian movements, INA,
Revolutionary Movements.
• Cultural Heritage – Art, Architecture, Literature, UNESCO Heritage Sites, Classical Dances,
Music, Fairs & Festivals.
3. Developmental Issues and Present Trends in Indian Economy
• Indian Economy Basics – Agriculture, Industry, Services sector.
• Planning – From Five-Year Plans to NITI Aayog.
• Growth & Development Issues – Poverty, unemployment, inequality, rural distress.
• Economic Reforms – LPG (1991).
• Government Schemes & Programs – MNREGA, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India.
• Current Economic Trends – Inflation, GDP growth, FDI/FII inflows, fiscal deficit.
• Global Economy & India’s Role – WTO, IMF, World Bank, BRICS, G20.
4. Governance and Constitution of India
• Constitutional Framework – Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Duties, DPSPs.
• Union & State Government – President, PM, Parliament, Governor, CM.
• Judiciary – Supreme Court, High Courts, Judicial Review, Judicial Activism.
• Constitutional Bodies – CAG, Election Commission, UPSC, Finance Commission.
• Non-Constitutional Bodies – NITI Aayog, NHRC, CBI, Lokpal.
• Local Governance – Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies.
• Current Governance Issues – RTI Act, E-Governance, Digital India.
5. General Science and Basic Knowledge of Computer
Applications
• General Science – Everyday science, physiology, environmental issues, biotechnology, ISRO
missions.
• Important Discoveries & Inventions – Vaccines, satellites, defence technologies.
• Computer Basics – Hardware, Software, Input/Output devices.
• Operating Systems – Windows, Linux basics.
• Internet & Networking – Cloud computing, cybersecurity, e-mail, data storage.
• MS Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint basics.
6. Elementary Mathematics, Statistics and General Mental Ability
• Mathematics – Percentages, Ratio, Averages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, SI & CI,
Mensuration, Probability.
• Statistics – Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation, Correlation, Data Interpretation.
• Mental Ability – Coding-Decoding, Series, Blood Relations, Puzzles, Syllogism, Analogy.
7. Industrial Relations, Labour Laws and Social Security in India
• Industrial Relations – Employer-employee relationship, Trade Unions, Collective Bargaining,
Industrial Disputes.
• Labour Laws – ID Act, Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Wages Act, EPF Act,
ESI Act, Bonus Act, Gratuity Act.
• Social Security – Provident Fund, Pension Schemes, Insurance Schemes, Labour Welfare
Measures.
• Recent Reforms – Labour Codes (Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, Occupational
Safety).
8. Principles of Accountancy, Auditing and Insurance
• Accountancy – Journal, Ledger, Trial Balance, Final Accounts, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow,
Ratio Analysis.
• Auditing – Types (Internal, Statutory, Govt), Audit Reports, Vouching, Verification.
• Insurance – Principles (Utmost Good Faith, Insurable Interest, Contribution, Subrogation,
Proximate Cause).
• Types of Insurance – Life, General, Health.
• Financial Management Basics – Budgeting, Capital Structure, Costing.
9. Current Events of National and International Importance
• National – Govt schemes, appointments, awards, science & tech developments, defence
exercises.
• International – Summits (G7, BRICS, SCO), UN initiatives, global economy, India’s foreign
policy.
• Reports & Indices – HDI, Global Hunger Index, Ease of Doing Business, World Happiness
Report.
• Environment & Climate – COP summits, Paris Agreement, IPCC reports.
