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UPSC EPFO Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner: all tests of this exam

Exam-style test

EPFO APFC Mock 2 — Past-Paper Style Practice

Free original APFC practice inspired by the question styles of the supplied EO/AO 2017 and 2021 papers, adapted to the APFC syllabus. 120 editorially selected bilingual questions with explanations and learning tips after submission. One fixed 120-minute clock; maximum 300 practice marks. Online scoring: +2.50 correct, −0.83 wrong, 0 blank. The rounded wrong-answer penalty differs slightly from exact one-third marking. Knowledge cutoff: 11 October 2026. This is not an official UPSC paper or a reproduction of previous-year questions.

Before you start

  • One timer for the whole test: 2 hours.
  • The clock runs from the moment you start, even if you leave.
  • Right answer +2.5, wrong answer −0.83. Unanswered questions cost nothing.
  • Questions come in Hindi and English. Switch any question with “Language”; questions in English only cannot switch.
  • Only saved answers count: press “Save & Next” to save the answer on screen.
  • At zero the test submits itself.

Original APFC practice inspired by EO/AO 2017 and 2021 question styles and adapted to the APFC syllabus. The 120-question count and topic mix are editorial choices, not quotas specified in the verified 2026 notice. One fixed 120-minute clock; maximum 300 practice marks. Choose one answer per question; save your answer before moving on. Online scoring: +2.50 correct, −0.83 wrong and 0 unanswered. The temporary rounded penalty differs slightly from exact one-third marking: three wrong answers deduct 2.49 instead of 2.50. Exact score formula: (5/2 × correct) − (5/6 × wrong), rounding only the final total. Questions, options, explanations and revision tips are bilingual; tested English wording stays in English. Explanations appear after submission. Knowledge cutoff: 11 October 2026. This is original practice, not an official UPSC paper or copied previous-year questions.

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  • Not answeredOpened, but no answer saved
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  • Marked for reviewTo look at again; it does not count
  • Answered & marked for reviewTo look at again; the answer counts

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Opens that question, but does not save the answer on screen. To save, press “Save & Next”.
Questions120
Marks300
Time2 hours
Per wrong answer−0.83
Default language for questions
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Sample questions with solutions

A few questions from this test, with the right answer and why.

  1. Question 1
    Choose the word nearest in meaning to the word in CAPITALS in the sentence. The witness gave a LACONIC reply and declined to elaborate.
    • evasive
    • emotional
    • terseRight answer
    • inaccurate
    Explanation

    “Laconic” describes expression in very few words, so “terse” is the closest choice. A brief reply is not necessarily evasive or inaccurate.

    Learning tip: Distinguish the manner of expression from its truth or intention.

    Sources checked 11 October 2026:
    https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/laconic

  2. Question 2
    A factory pays men more than women solely because of gender for the same work. It proposes to comply with the Code on Wages, 2019 by reducing the men’s wage rate to the women’s rate. Which statement is correct?
    • The proposal is valid if both rates exceed the minimum wage.
    • The employer cannot reduce any employee’s wage rate for this purpose.Right answer
    • The proposal is valid if a majority of employees approve it.
    • Gender-based wage equality applies only at the time of recruitment.
    Explanation

    Section 3(1) prohibits gender discrimination in wages by the same employer for the same work or work of a similar nature. Section 3(2)(i) separately prohibits reducing any employee’s wage rate for the purpose of complying with that equality requirement. Paying above the minimum wage does not remove this duty, and majority approval does not authorise the proposed reduction. The rule concerns wages during employment, not only recruitment.

    Learning tip: Keep two duties separate: eliminate gender discrimination and do not achieve compliance by cutting someone’s wage rate.

    Sources checked 11 October 2026:
    https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/15793/1/aA2019-29.pdf

  3. Question 3
    A cash book shows a debit bank balance of ₹40,000. Cheques issued for ₹8,000 have not been presented, and cheques deposited for ₹5,000 have not been credited by the bank. With no other differences, what is the balance in the bank statement?
    • ₹27,000 credit
    • ₹37,000 credit
    • ₹43,000 creditRight answer
    • ₹53,000 credit
    Explanation

    Bank-statement balance = ₹40,000 + ₹8,000 − ₹5,000 = ₹43,000 credit. Unpresented cheques have reduced the cash book but not the bank statement; uncleared deposits have increased only the cash book.

    Learning tip: First identify which record already includes each transaction.

    Sources checked 11 October 2026:
    https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/keac105.pdf