UPSC EPFO Cut Off 2025 (Expected) & Previous Year Marks
The expected UPSC EPFO Cut Off 2025 for the General category ranges from 165 to 178 marks out of 300. Conducted on November 30, 2025, for 230 vacancies, the exam featured challenging Labour Laws and Current Affairs sections. A score above 180 is generally considered safe for the interview stage.
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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) held a recruitment test for three positions on November 30, 2025. The positions are Enforcement Officer (EO), Accounts Officer (AO), and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC). Candidates who appeared for these 230 vacancies now face the waiting period for the results. Understanding the UPSC EPFO cut off trends helps you gauge your performance and prepare for the next stage.
This guide analyzes expected scores, reviews historical data, and explains the selection mechanics without unnecessary jargon.
Is There a Sectional cut off in the UPSC EPFO Exam?
No. Unlike banking exams, you do not need to pass each section separately for the UPSC EPFO exam. There are no sectional cut off marks.
Your total Score out of 300 marks in the recruitment test determines your eligibility for the interview stage. You can score zero in one subject, like English or General Science, and still qualify. This is true if your overall score meets the requirement.
The EPFO EO/AO and APFC cut off marks for 2025 will likely show the paper's moderate difficulty level. Feedback suggests that the Labour Laws and Current Affairs sections posed significant challenges for candidates this year. Many candidates found questions about the Factories Act and Social Security Codes confusing. The Current Affairs section required a strong understanding of global summits.
Based on these factors and student feedback, the expected cut off range for the Recruitment Test (Out of 300) is as follows:
Expected Cut Off Range (Marks)
Category | Expected Cut Off Range |
General (UR) | 165 – 178 |
EWS | 156 – 168 |
OBC | 146 – 158 |
SC | 136 – 149 |
ST | 127 – 138 |
Note: Candidates who score 180 or more for General and 170 or more for OBC/EWS are likely to get an interview call.
Several elements suggest the cut off could be lower than in previous years:
Tougher Content: Including complex concept-based questions in Polity and Governance reduced accuracy among average candidates.
Single Shift: The exam occurred in a single shift. This eliminates normalization variations that sometimes inflate scores automatically.
The following bar chart illustrates the volatility in cut-off scores, highlighting the sharp peak in 2021 compared to 2018 and the expected moderation in 2025.
2023 Cut Off Analysis
The 2023 cycle serves as the most recent reference point. The commission released these marks after the final result declaration.
APFC Post (2023) – Recruitment Test (Out of 300)
General (UR): 178.33
OBC: 178.33
EWS: 176.68
SC: 156.68
ST: 151.68
EO/AO Post (2023) – Recruitment Test (Out of 300)
General (UR): 138.33
OBC: 138.33
EWS: 134.18
SC: 123.33
ST: 120.00
The final selection scores for the 2023 UPSC EPFO APFC post were out of 400. A candidate in the General category needed to score 257.50 to qualify.
2021–2022 Cut Off Analysis
The 2021 exam cycle saw higher cut offs due to a comparatively easier paper.
Written Test (Out of 300)
General: 187.39
OBC: 173.12
SC: 160.51
ST: 156.30
EWS: 171.43
Final Selection (Out of 400)
General: 259.33
OBC: 244.51
2018 Cut Off Analysis
Going further back helps identify long-term trends in the EPFO previous cut off.
Written Test (Out of 300)
General: 160.00
OBC: 142.00
SC: 128.50
ST: 133.00
The data shows a clear jump in competition and scoring between 2018 and 2021. The cut off for the General category rose by over 27 marks in the written stage during this period.
To accurately predict your chances, you must understand the EPFO exam pattern and cut off relationship. The selection process has two distinct stages with specific weightages.
Recruitment Test (RT)
This is the pen-and-paper exam.
Weightage: 75% in the final merit list
Total Marks: 300
Total Questions: 120
Negative Marking: One-third (approx 0.83 marks) deducted for every wrong answer
Interview
Weightage: 25%
Total Marks: 100
Minimum Qualifying Marks:
UR / EWS: 50
OBC: 45
SC / ST / PH: 40
Calculation Example
If you score 180 in the written exam and 60 in the Interview:
Written Score Weighted:
180 × (75 / 300) = 45(This is a simplified representation; UPSC standardizes the 300 marks to 75)Correction based on UPSC method:
UPSC sums the raw marks. The total is out of 400 (300 Written + 100 Interview).Final Score:
180 + 60 = 240 (out of 400)
Note on weightage: The system adds the marks directly in the final PDF (e.g., 259.33 out of 400). However, the weightage principle makes sure the written test has a bigger impact on the final ranking.
The UPSC EPFO cut off is not a static number. It fluctuates based on dynamic variables each year.
Candidate Volume
High participation increases competition. In 2017, over 1.46 lakh candidates appeared. In 2018, the number of candidates was much lower at 2,255.
This likely refers to a specific group or phase. In 2017, the numbers were much higher. Readers must check the participation numbers for 2025 when the official data is released. Many aspirants usually take part.
Vacancy Count
The number of seats inversely affects the cut off. The 2025 cycle has 230 vacancies combined for EO/AO and APFC. Fewer vacancies typically push the required Score higher.
Exam Difficulty
This is the primary driver. If the paper is difficult, the cut off drops.
The 2021 cut off was high (187.39) because the paper was easier. Experts expect the 2025 cut off to be lower (165–178) due to tricky Current Affairs and Labour Laws.
The Union Public Service Commission usually releases the official answer key after the recruitment process is complete. This occurs once they announce the final results. Since the exam took place on November 30, 2025, the official key will likely appear on the UPSC website in late 2026.
Candidates currently rely on UPSC EPFO Unofficial Answer Key 2025 to estimate their scores. These unofficial sources help you find a rough total.
You should think about a margin of error. This is usually (+ or - 5) marks. We compare this margin to the official commission key.
How to Download the Official Answer Key (When Released)
Go to upsc.gov.in.
Click on the “Examinations” tab.
Select “Answer Keys” from the menu.
Look for “Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer” or “APFC Exam 2025.”
When the results are declared (expected between February and March 2026), follow these steps to verify the official numbers:
Visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in).
Select the “Examinations” tab from the main menu.
Choose “cut off Marks” from the drop-down options.
Locate the PDF titled “Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer in EPFO” or “Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner.”
Download the document to view the category-wise breakdown for Written, Interview, and Final stages.
Frequently asked question (FAQs)
The data shows a moderate cut off for the 2025 cycle. The General category will likely be between 165 and 178 marks. Candidates scoring above 180 sit in a safe zone and should immediately start interview preparation.
The final merit list depends heavily on the written test, which holds 75% weightage. A high score here protects you against average performance in the Interview. If your estimated score is close to the borderline (160–165 for General), aim for high marks (60+) in the Interview. This will help you secure a spot on the final list.
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