Strategic Analysis of UPSC EPFO Examinations: A

Decadal Review and Forecast for 2025

Macro-Level Trend Analysis of UPSC
EPFO Examinations (2013-2023)

(2015-2023)
Consolidated Subject-Wise Weightage in UPSC EPFO Papers (2015-2023)
Subject APFC 2015 EO/AO 2017 EO/AO 2021 EO/AO 2023 APFC 2023
General English 10 20 20 20 20
Indian History & Culture 10 16 15 10 10
Indian Polity 7 2 6 5 9
Indian Economy 14 1 5 8 1
IR. & Labour Laws 5 8 16 15 14
Social Security 9 6 4 8 5
Accounting Principles 0 13 9 10 15
Computer Applications 5 10 5 11 10
Quantitative & 29 15 15 15 15
Reasoning
General Science 5 11 10 10 10
Current Affairs 10 17 9 8 8
Globalization (PDG) 16 (Misc) - - - 3
Total Questions 120 120 120 120 120
(Note: Data compiled and synthesized from multiple analyses. Minor variations in categorization exist across sources; this table
represents a harmonized average. The APFC 2015 paper had a higher number of quantitative and miscellaneous GS questions, which
were later standardized.)

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Granular Subject-Wise Micro-Topic Deconstruction
Indian Polity & Governance

Major Topics Minor Topics PYQ Trends Predicted 2025 Focus

Constitution Preamble, Fundamental Consistently asked in Interplay between FRs
: Philosophy Rights (FRs), Directive 2017, 2021, 2023. & DPSPs, recent
& Features Principles of State Policy Questions on FRs (Art. constitutional
(DPSPs), Fundamental Duties, 21), DPSPs (Art. 39, 42, amendments (e.g.,
Schedules (especially 8th & 43), and Schedules are EWS reservation), and
3rd) common. Supreme Court's
interpretation of 'Basic
Structure'.
Union & President (election, powers), Questions on President's Governor's role in state
State Governor (discretionary election and Governor's politics,
Executive powers, ordinance power), powers appeared in 2015 ordinance-making
Prime Minister, Council of and 2023 APFC papers. powers of
Ministers President/Governor,
and the functioning of
the Cabinet.
Parliament & Parliamentary procedures, Questions on Speaker's Role of the Speaker in
State Committees (Estimates role and parliamentary disqualification
Legislature Committee), Speaker's role, committees have proceedings, definition
Anti-Defection Law appeared, though less and certification of
frequently. Money Bills, and
functioning of
Parliamentary
Committees.
Judiciary Supreme Court (jurisdiction, Questions on SC Judicial appointments
powers), High Courts, Judicial jurisdiction and specific (Collegium system vs.
Review, Public Interest legal instruments like NJAC), Tribunal
Litigation (PIL), Curative Curative Petitions were reforms, and landmark
Petition, Tribunals seen in the difficult 2023 judgments related to
paper. fundamental rights and
governance.
Constitution Election Commission (EC), Questions on the EC and Autonomy of Election
al & UPSC, CAG, Finance other constitutional bodies Commission, role of
Statutory Commission, NGT, National have appeared Finance Commission in
Bodies Commissions (e.g., for periodically. fiscal federalism, and
Backward Classes) powers of statutory
bodies like NGT.

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 Indian History (Focus on Freedom Struggle)

Major Topics Minor Topics PYQ Trends Predicted 2025 Focus

The Gandhian Era Non-Cooperation, Civil This is the most Lesser-known aspects
(1915-1947) Disobedience, Quit frequently tested area. of major movements,
India Movements; key Questions on Gandhiji's role of different social
personalities (Gandhi, early movements groups (women,
Nehru, Bose); Round (Champaran, Kheda) peasants, business
Table Conferences, and major national class), and ideological
Poona Pact movements appeared debates within the
in 2017, 2021, 2023. Congress.
Socio-Religious Brahmo Samaj, Arya Questions on Impact of reform
Reform Movements Samaj, Theosophical organizations like Arya movements on social
Society; contributions Mahila Samaj and legislation, role in
of reformers like Raja Bharat Stree women's emancipation,
Ram Mohan Roy, Mahamandal have and their contribution to
Pandita Ramabai, been asked. the rise of nationalism.
Swami Vivekananda
Revolts & Revolt of 1857, Indigo Questions on Kisan Causes, nature, and
Peasant/Tribal Revolt, Moplah Sabha movements and consequences of major
Uprisings Rebellion, Santhal peasant associations in tribal and peasant
Rebellion; Kisan Kerala have appeared. uprisings; role of local
Sabhas leaders.
British Acts & Regulating Act 1773 to Questions on Provisions of key
Policies Indian Independence constitutional Government of India
Act 1947; economic development (e.g., Acts (1919, 1935), and
policies (Land Revenue separation of Railway the economic impact of
Systems); education Budget) are common. British policies.
policies
Indian National Foundation of INC, Questions on INC Key INC sessions and
Congress & Other Moderate vs. Extremist presidents, their resolutions,
Organisations phase, Surat Split, 'No-Changers', and formation and ideology
formation of other other political of pre-INC and
parties (e.g., Swatantra formations have been non-Congress
Party, Congress asked. organizations.
Nationalist Party)

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 Indian Economy

Major Topics Minor Topics PYQ Trends Predicted 2025 Focus

Monetary & Fiscal Inflation (CPI, WPI, Questions on inflation RBI's strategies to
Policy Core Inflation), RBI's targeting, core inflation, control inflation,
role, Monetary Policy and monetary policy government's fiscal
Committee (MPC), tools are recurrent. consolidation roadmap,
Budget terminology, and the functioning of
Fiscal Deficit, GST the GST Council.
Banking & Financial Types of banks, Questions on financial Regulation of new
Markets Financial Inclusion, inclusion schemes and financial entities (e.g.,
Capital Markets vs. basic market concepts FinTech, payment
Money Markets, SEBI, have appeared. banks), developments
developmental financial in the bond market, and
institutions role of SEBI in investor
protection.
Growth, Development National Income Questions on GDP India's growth trajectory
& Planning Accounting (GDP, growth figures from post-pandemic,
GNP), Five-Year Plans, Economic Survey and performance on SDG
NITI Aayog, the role of NITI Aayog indices, and key
Sustainable have been asked. initiatives of NITI
Development Goals Aayog.
(SDGs)
Sectors of Economy Primary, Secondary, Questions on the Government policies for
& Developmental Tertiary sectors; service sector and boosting manufacturing
Issues MSMEs, MSMEs have (PLI schemes), issues
Unemployment, appeared. in the agriculture
Poverty, Government sector, and analysis of
Schemes major social sector
schemes.

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 General Science
Major Topics Minor Topics PYQ Trends Predicted 2025 Focus
Physics Motion, Force, Work, Questions on Application-based
Energy, Light electromagnetic waves, questions on optics,
(reflection, refraction), force, and properties of electricity, and modern
Sound, Electricity, lenses have been physics (e.g.,
Magnetism, Units of asked in 2021 and semiconductors,
measurement 2023. nuclear energy).
Chemistry Atoms & Molecules, Questions on bleaching Chemistry of important
Chemical Reactions powder, solubility of industrial compounds,
(oxidation-reduction), gases, and pH have environmental
Acids, Bases & Salts, appeared in 2017 and chemistry (acid rain,
Metals & Non-metals, 2021. greenhouse gases),
Carbon compounds, and properties of
Chemistry in everyday everyday materials.
life (soaps, detergents,
polymers)
Biology Human Body Systems Questions on human Biotechnology
(digestive, respiratory, reproductive organs, applications, human
circulatory, plant kingdom genetics and common
reproductive), Diseases classification disorders,
(causes, prevention), (Amphibians), and communicable and
Nutrition (vitamins, diseases like non-communicable
minerals), Cell biology, Chikungunya are diseases, and
Plant kingdom basics common. ecological concepts.

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 Computer Applications

Major Topics Minor Topics PYQ Trends Predicted 2025 Focus

Computer Hardware (Input/Output Questions on I/O Basics of computer
Fundamentals devices, CPU, devices, memory types architecture, types of
Memory), Software (primary, secondary), memory (RAM, ROM,
(System vs. and number conversion Cache), and practical
Application), have appeared number system
Generations of consistently. conversions.
computers, Number
Systems (Binary,
Decimal)
Operating Systems & Functions of OS, types Questions on OS Advanced features of
MS Office of OS (Windows, functions and MS MS Office, file
Linux), MS Word (font Office shortcuts (e.g., extensions, and
effects, shortcuts), MS Shift+Delete) are practical
Excel (formulas, cell common. application-based
functions), MS questions.
PowerPoint
Internet & Networking Web browsers, Search Questions on IP Cybersecurity concepts
engines, Email, IP addresses, network (viruses, malware,
addresses, Network topologies, and firewalls), cloud
topologies (Mesh, protocols (WAP, computing basics, and
Star), LAN/WAN/MAN, Bluetooth) have been the Internet of Things
Network devices asked in 2017 and (IoT).
(Modem, Switch, 2023.
Router)

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 General English
Major Topics Minor Topics PYQ Trends Predicted 2025 Focus
Vocabulary Synonyms, Antonyms, This is a major Contextual vocabulary,
Idioms & Phrases, component, with phrasal verbs, and
One-Word Substitution multiple questions on commonly confused
synonyms and words.
antonyms in every
paper.
Grammar Error Spotting, Fill in Error spotting and Advanced grammar
the Blanks, Sentence fill-in-the-blanks based rules, including
Improvement, on tenses, prepositions, conditionals,
Active/Passive Voice, and subject-verb conjunctions, and
Question Tags agreement are staples correct use of articles.
of the exam.
Comprehension & Reading While full-fledged RC Focus will likely remain
Arrangement Comprehension passages are less on testing vocabulary
Passages, Sentence common, para jumbles and grammar through
Rearrangement (Para and sentence ordering objective-type
Jumbles) questions have questions rather than
appeared. long passages.

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 The New Paradigm: The Four Central Labour Codes

Deconstruction of the Four Labour Codes

Labour Code Key Acts Subsumed Major Changes & New Potential Question
Provisions Areas for 2025
The Code on Payment of Wages Act, Introduction of a uniform The components
Wages, 2019 1936; Minimum Wages definition of 'wages'. included and excluded
Act, 1948; Payment of Establishment of a national in the new definition of
Bonus Act, 1965; Equal floor wage. Timely payment of 'wages'. The concept
Remuneration Act, 1976 wages to all employees. and applicability of the
Stricter penalties for 'floor wage'. Provisions
violations. related to payment
timelines and
permissible deductions.
The Social EPF & MP Act, 1952; ESI Extension of social security to The new framework for
Security Act, 1948; Maternity gig and platform workers. providing social
Code, 2020 Benefit Act, 1961; Creation of a national social security to gig/platform
Payment of Gratuity Act, security board. Provisions for workers. Functions of
1972; Unorganised registration of all workers. the National Social
Workers' Social Security Option for establishments with Security Board.
Act, 2008 fewer than 20 employees to Thresholds for
join EPF/ESI voluntarily. applicability of EPF,
ESI, and Gratuity under
the new code.
The Trade Unions Act, 1926; Increased threshold for prior The new threshold for
Industrial Industrial Employment government permission for standing orders and
Relations (Standing Orders) Act, layoff/retrenchment to 300 retrenchment. The
Code, 2020 1946; Industrial Disputes workers. Provision for a single concept of 'sole
Act, 1947 negotiating union. Creation of negotiating union'. The
a re-skilling fund. New composition and
conditions for legal strikes. purpose of the worker
re-skilling fund.
The Factories Act, 1948; A single license for The new definition of
Occupational Mines Act, 1952; Building contractors. Defines rights of 'factory' and other
Safety, Health and Other Construction inter-state migrant workers. establishments. Rights
and Working Workers' Act, 1996 Mandates safety committees. and welfare provisions
Conditions Covers all establishments with for inter-state migrant
(OSH) Code, 10 or more workers. workers. Duties of the
2020 employer regarding
workplace safety.

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 Core Social Security Legislations & Schemes

Act Name (as part of Key PYQ Trends Predicted 2025 Focus
Social Security Code) Provisions/Sections
Employees' Provident Contribution rates Questions on Impact of the new wage
Funds & (employee/employer), contribution rates, definition on PF
Miscellaneous Schemes (EPF, EPS, scheme features, and contribution, provisions
Provisions (EPF & EDLI), Applicability definitions are very for international
MP) Act, 1952 thresholds, Role of common. workers, and powers of
EPFO recovery officers.
Employees' State Coverage, Contribution Questions on eligibility Extension of ESI
Insurance (ESI) Act, rates, Benefits for benefits and the benefits to new
1948 (sickness, maternity, authorities under the sectors/worker types
disablement), ESI Act (e.g., Medical under the code, and the
Corporation structure Board) have been process for
asked. determination of
disablement.
Payment of Gratuity Eligibility (5 years Questions on the Changes in the
Act, 1972 service), Calculation maximum payable definition of 'continuous
formula (15/26 \times amount and calculation service' and 'wages'
\text{last drawn wages} are frequent. under the new code,
\times \text{years of and conditions for
service}), Maximum forfeiture of gratuity.
limit, Forfeiture
conditions
Maternity Benefit Act, Duration of leave (26 Questions on the Provisions for
1961 weeks), Creche facility duration of leave and commissioning and
mandate, Eligibility other benefits are adoptive mothers, and
conditions common. the work-from-home
option introduced by
recent amendments.

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 High-Priority Social Security Schemes

Scheme Name Key Features & PYQ Trends Predicted 2025 Focus
Beneficiaries
Atal Pension Yojana Contributory pension Questions on entry age Contribution chart, exit
(APY) for unorganised sector and benefits are and withdrawal rules,
workers (age 18-40), frequently asked. and co-contribution by
guaranteed pension of the government.
Rs 1000-5000
Pradhan Mantri Life insurance cover of Features of the scheme Enrollment period,
Jeevan Jyoti Bima Rs 2 lakh for death due have been tested. premium amount, and
Yojana (PMJJBY) to any reason, age the role of banks/post
group 18-50, annual offices in
premium implementation.
Pradhan Mantri Accident insurance of The premium amount Definition of disability
Suraksha Bima Rs 2 lakh (death/full and coverage details under the scheme,
Yojana (PMSBY) disability) and Rs 1 lakh have been asked. claim settlement
(partial disability), age process.
18-70
Pradhan Mantri Pension scheme for This is a high-priority Eligibility criteria,
Shram Yogi unorganised workers area for future exams. contribution amounts,
Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) (e.g., street vendors, and benefits upon
domestic workers) with maturity or death.
monthly income < Rs
15,000
e-Shram Portal National database of A recent and important Purpose of the portal,
unorganised workers to initiative, highly benefits of registration
extend social security probable for 2025. (UAN card), and
benefits integration with other
welfare schemes.

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 The Judicial Lens: Landmark Supreme Court
Judgments
Thematic Area Landmark Core Principle/Ratio Implication for EPFO
Judgment(s) Decidendi Exam
Definition of 'Basic Bridge and Roof Co. Allowances that are not Crucial for
Wages' for PF (India) Ltd. vs. Union universally, ordinarily, application-based
of India (1962); and uniformly paid to all questions requiring
Vivekananda employees across the calculation of PF
Vidyamandir vs. board are to be liability on a given
Regional P.F. excluded from 'basic salary structure with
Commissioner (2019) wages' for the purpose multiple allowances.
of calculating PF
contributions.
Scope of 'Industry' Bangalore Water Established the 'triple Understanding the wide
Supply and Sewerage test' (systematic ambit of labour laws
Board vs. A. Rajappa activity, cooperation and their applicability to
(1978) between various types of
employer-employee, for establishments,
production/distribution including those not
of goods/services) to traditionally seen as
determine if an entity is industries.
an 'industry' under the
Industrial Disputes Act.
Status of Contract Steel Authority of Held that contract Key for questions on
Labour India Ltd. vs. National labour would not be the rights of contract
Union Waterfront automatically absorbed labourers and the
Workers (2001) upon abolition of the obligations of the
contract labour system. principal employer.
Absorption can only be
directed if the contract
was a sham or
camouflage.
Powers of Labour Workmen of M/S Interpreted Section 11A Important for
Courts/Tribunals Firestone Tyre & of the Industrial understanding the
Rubber Co. vs. Disputes Act, clarifying dispute resolution
Management (1973) that the Labour Court mechanism and the
has the power to balance of power
scrutinize the between employer and
employer's disciplinary judicial bodies.
action and substitute
the punishment if it is
disproportionate.

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 Strategic Forecast for the UPSC EPFO 2025 Examination

Mock Prediction Table for UPSC EPFO 2025

Subject Expected Expected Ques Micro-Topics Predicted Ques

Ques(EO/AO) (APFC) Type
Industrial 15–20 15–20 Provisions of the 4 new Labour Factual +
Relations & Codes, especially Social Conceptual +
Labour Security Code (gig workers) and Case-based
Laws IR Code (strike/lockout rules).
General 20 20 Synonyms, Antonyms, Error Factual +
English Spotting, Fill in the Blanks Application-based
(based on prepositions, tenses).
Quantitativ 15 15 Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time Factual +
e Aptitude & Work, Number Series, Blood Problem-solving
& Relations, Coding-Decoding.
Reasoning
General 8–12 12–16 Accounting Concepts & Conceptual +
Accounting Conventions, Journal, Ledger, Numerical
Principles Trial Balance, Financial
Statements, Depreciation.
Indian 10–15 10–15 Gandhian Movements, Factual +
History & Socio-Religious Reforms, British Chronological
Culture Acts & Policies, INC Sessions.
Computer 8–12 8–12 Hardware, Software, MS Office, Factual
Application Networking (IP Address,
s Topologies), Cybersecurity
basics.
General 8–10 8–10 Physics (Light, Electricity), Conceptual +
Science Chemistry (Everyday Factual
applications), Biology (Human
Body, Diseases).
Social 8–12 5–8 EPF & ESI Acts (under new Factual
Security in code), Atal Pension Yojana, (Schemes) +
India PM-SYM, e-Shram portal. Conceptual (Acts)
Indian 5–8 8–10 FRs, DPSPs, Parliament, Conceptual
Polity Judiciary, Governor's Powers, Judgment-based
Constitutional Amendments.
Current 5–10 5–10 Government Schemes, Factual
Affairs & International Reports/Indices,
Developme Major National Events.
ntal Issues
Indian 5–8 2–5 Inflation (CPI), Monetary Policy Conceptual +
Economy (RBI), Fiscal Policy (Budget), Data-based
Banking basics.

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 Concluding Strategic Advice
1. Master the Four Labour Codes: Treat the new codes as the core syllabus for Labour
Laws, IR, and Social Security. Focus on the changes they introduce and their practical
implications.
2. Secure the Foundation: Dedicate consistent effort to the high-ROI subjects: General
English, Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning, and Computer Applications. A strong
performance here provides a crucial competitive edge.
3. Prioritize Conceptual Clarity: Move beyond one-liners and factoids. For Polity,
Economy, and Labour Laws, focus on understanding the 'why' behind the 'what'.
4. Integrate Current Affairs: Link your static preparation with current events, especially for
government schemes related to social security and labour welfare, and recent Supreme
Court judgments.
5. Specialize for APFC: Aspirants for the APFC post must accord the highest priority to
General Accounting Principles, as it has emerged as a key differentiator for this specific
role.

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