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EPFO Section Officer LDCE Scheme 2025 - Complete Guide

EPFO Section Officer LDCE Scheme 2025 - Complete Guide

EPFO Section Officer LDCE Scheme 2025: Complete Guide

📥 Download Official EPFO SO LDCE Circular

Download PDF Circular

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued the “Section Officer Limited Departmental Competitive Examination Scheme, 2025” for promotion to the post of Section Officer under the examination quota. This scheme governs the entire LDCE process, from eligibility and vacancy determination to examination pattern and result publication.

1. Short Title, Application and Commencement

This Scheme shall be called the ‘Employees’ Provident Fund Section Officer Limited Departmental Competitive Examination Scheme, 2025’. The examination under this Scheme shall be held for filling up the vacant Section Officer posts under examination quota as per the Recruitment Rules. It comes into force from the date of its notification and supersedes the 2016 Scheme except where specifically provided.

2. Definitions

  • Examination: Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for Section Officer promotion.
  • Organisation: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.
  • Paper: Question papers specified under Para 6.
  • Syllabus: Prescribed syllabus for the examination.
  • Vacation Year: Calendar year.
  • DPC: Departmental Promotion Committee per Recruitment Rules.
  • DOPT: Department of Personnel & Training.
  • Liaison Officer: Officers ensuring implementation of reservation and other provisions.
  • Screening Committee: Committee for determination of vacancies.

3. Determination of Vacancies

The HRM Division finalises vacancies under the examination quota and forwards them to the Exam Division along with certificates from the Liaison Officers and Screening Committee. Unfilled vacancies shall be carried over to subsequent examinations.

4. Eligibility

4(a) General Eligibility

  • Qualifications and eligibility as per notified Recruitment Rules.
  • Eligibility cutoff date: 1st January.
  • Applications examined by Zonal Offices/ASD (HQ); ineligibility intimated within 5 days.
  • Candidates may represent for reconsideration within 5 days of rejection.

4(b) Special Cases

Employees under suspension or disciplinary/criminal proceedings may be permitted to appear; results declared on merit subject to DOPT instructions.

5. Preparation of Merit List

A separate merit list of qualified candidates for each category is prepared based on total marks, subject to minimum qualifying marks. A waiting list (max 20% of vacancies) is maintained for one year or until the next examination.

6. Examination Details

Paper Time Marks Type Subject
I 2 hrs 100 Computer-based (Objective) EPF Act & Schemes, Code on Social Security, Accounting Procedures & SOPs, F.R., S.R., Staff Service Regulations, RTI Act
II 2 hrs 100 Computer-based (Objective) General Service Matters, General Office Procedure, General Financial Rules & Principles of Auditing

The detailed syllabi are given in the Annexure to the Scheme; questions are based on the latest rules and amendments.

7. Medium of Examination

The exam is conducted in Hindi and English. Candidates must specify their choice; the English section must be answered in English unless directed otherwise.

8. Date of Examination

Dates are notified by Head Office. Eligible candidates must apply per the notification.

9. Qualifying Marks & Result Preparation

  • General category: Minimum 40% in each paper.
  • SC/ST/PwBD category: Minimum 35% in each paper.
  • Merit lists prepared separately for each category; tie-breaker based on seniority.
  • SC/ST/PwBD candidates meeting general norms may be considered under general vacancies.

10. Result Communication

Successful candidates' lists are circulated to all concerned.

11. Supply of Mark Lists

Candidates receive marks obtained in all papers.

12. Use of Unfair Means

Candidates caught using unfair means are expelled and debarred; mass malpractice may lead to cancellation of entire center’s exam.

13. Retotaling & Verification of Marks

  • Applications for re-totaling with fee (Rs.100 per paper) via Zonal Offices/ASD within 15 days of result communication.
  • Retotaling covers entire paper; marks may increase, decrease, or remain unchanged.
  • No further retotaling permitted; fees non-refundable.

Annexure: Syllabus

Paper I (100 Marks)

Part A (50): EPF Act & Schemes, Social Security Code, Manual of Accounting Procedures & SOPs

Part B (50): F.R., S.R., Staff Service Regulations, RTI Act

Paper II (100 Marks)

Part A (50): Central Civil Service Rules, Leave, Pension, TA, GPF, Bonus, Medical Attendance, Reservation Rules

Part B (30): Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP)

Part C (20): General Financial Rules, Principles of Auditing

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Candidates should refer to the official EPFO circular for complete and accurate details before applying.

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