Preparing for the upcoming national-level recruitment drive requires a thorough understanding of the syllabus and test layout. The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) manages recruitment for positions like Social Security Assistants and Stenographers. To excel in the EPFO SSA 2026 exam, aspirants must align their study schedules with the prescribed subject weights and formatting guidelines.
EPFO SSA and Stenographer Overview
Conducted entirely online using objective-type formats, these examinations test proficiency across multiple domains. Reviewing EPFO SSA Recruitment 2026 Notification - Click to View gives candidates a clear head start. For structured preparation, you can also Download EPFO SSA Previous Year Papers PDF - Click Here to practice actual questions.
| Exam Conducting Body | Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) |
| Exam Name | EPFO SSA 2026 |
| Category | Syllabus |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Type of Questions | Objective Type |
| Selection Process | Computer-Based Test- Skill Test |
| Official Website | https://www.epfindia.gov.in/ |
EPFO SSA Selection Process and Stages
Knowing the multi-stage evaluation format is crucial. Candidates can Check Previous Year EPFO SSA Cut Offs - Click Here to understand qualifying thresholds. Below is the checklist for the selection stages:
EPFO SSA Selection Process 2026
- Computer-Based Test (Phase-I)
- Skill test (Phase-II) (Computer Data Entry Test)
EPFO SSA Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The prelims exam contains 150 questions worth 4 marks each, accumulating to 600 total marks. The duration is 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes). A negative marking scheme applies where 1/4th (or 0.25) marks are deducted for every incorrect response. You can also review the View EPFO SSA Salary Structure - Click Here page to learn about post-selection remuneration.
| SNo. | Subjects | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | General Aptitude | 30 | 120 | 150 minutes |
| 2. | General Knowledge/ General Awareness | 30 | 120 | |
| 3. | Quantitative Ability | 30 | 120 | |
| 4. | General English with *Comprehension | 50 | 200 | |
| 5. | Computer Literacy | 10 | 40 | |
| Total | 150 | 600 |
EPFO Stenographer Exam Pattern
The EPFO Steno exam uses objective-type multiple-choice questions set in both English and Hindi, with the exception of Part-III (English Language and Comprehension). Each correct response earns 4 marks, while incorrect answers face a 1/4th negative marking penalty. The total consists of 200 questions carrying 800 marks over a duration of 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).
| SNo. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | General Aptitude | 50 | 200 | 2 Hours 10 minutes (130 minutes) |
| 2. | General Awareness [includes Computer Awareness] | 50 | 200 | |
| 3. | English Language and Comprehension | 100 | 400 | |
| Total | 200 | 800 |
Skill Test Requirements
Candidates clearing the online tests must qualify for the skill assessments:
- EPFO SSA Skill Test: Requires typing speeds of 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi, roughly equivalent to 10,500 KDPH and 9,000 KDPH respectively.
- EPFO Steno Skill Test: Involves a computer-based dictation of 10 minutes at 80 words per minute, followed by a transcription time of 50 minutes for English or 65 minutes for Hindi.
Detailed Syllabus Topics
To prepare thoroughly, review the comprehensive topic breakdowns below:
English Language Syllabus
- Reading comprehension
- Fillers (Double fillers, Multiple Sentence Fillers, Sentence Fillers)
- Cloze Test
- Phrase Replacement
- Odd Sentence
- Para Jumbles
- Inference
- Sentence Completion
- Connectors
- Paragraph Conclusion
- Phrasal Verb-Related Questions
- Error Detection Questions
- Word usage
- Vocab Based Questions
Reasoning Ability/General Aptitude Syllabus
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangements
- Direction Sense
- Blood-Relation
- Syllogism
- Order and Ranking
- Coding-Decoding
- Machine Input-Output
- Inequalities
- Alpha-Numeric-Symbol Series
- Data Sufficiency
- Logical Reasoning (Passage Inference, Statement and Assumption, Conclusion, Argument)
Numerical Aptitude Syllabus
For geometry and spatial topics, refer to our specialized resources on Mensuration.
- Data Interpretation (Bar Graph, Line Chart, Tabular, Caselet, Radar/Web, Pie Chart)
- Inequalities (Quadratic Equations, Quantity 1, Quantity 2)
- Number Series
- Approximation and Simplification
- Data Sufficiency
- HCF and LCM
- Profit and Loss
- SI & CI
- Problem on Ages
- Work and Time
- Speed Distance and Time
- Probability
- Mensuration
- Permutation and Combination
- Average
- Ratio and Proportion
- Partnership
- Problems on Boats and Stream
- Problems on Trains
- Mixture and Allegation
- Pipes and Cisterns
General Awareness Syllabus
Keep yourself updated with regular Current Affairs to score high in awareness sections.
- Banking and Insurance Awareness
- Financial Awareness
- Government Schemes and Policies
- Current Affairs
- Static Awareness
Computer Awareness Syllabus
- History and Generation of Computers
- Introduction to Computer Organisation
- Computer Memory
- Computer Hardware and I/O Devices
- Computer Software
- Computer Languages
- Operating System
- Computer Network
- Internet
- MS Office Suite and Short cut keys
- Basics of DBMS
- Number System and Conversions
- Computer and Network Security
| Subjects | Topics |
|---|---|
| English Language | Reading comprehension, Fillers, Cloze Test, Phrase Replacement, Odd Sentence, Para Jumbles, Inference, Sentence Completion, Connectors, Paragraph Conclusion, Phrasal Verbs, Error Detection, Vocab |
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Direction Sense, Blood-Relation, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Inequalities, Series, Logical Reasoning |
| Numerical Aptitude | Data Interpretation, Number Series, Simplification, HCF/LCM, Profit/Loss, SI/CI, Time & Work, Mensuration, Probability, Ratio & Proportion |
| General Awareness | Banking, Financial Awareness, Government Schemes, Current Affairs, Static Awareness |
| Computer Awareness | Computer Organization, Memory, Hardware/Software, Operating System, Networking, Internet, MS Office, DBMS, Security |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Recommended Reads
- EPFO SSA Recruitment 2026: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Salary & Apply Online
- UPSC EPFO APFC vs EO/AO: Comprehensive Comparison Guide
- EPFO SSA Score Card 2024 & Final Result: Check Marks and Cut-offs
- IBPS to Conduct EPFO SSA, ASO & JSA Recruitment Exams 2026
- EPFO SSA & Stenographer Salary 2026: Pay Scale, Structure & Perks
- EPFO SSA Previous Years Cut Off Marks: 2019 & 2023-24 Analysis
Negative Marking & Net Score Calculator
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