Download UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 Question Paper, Overall Difficulty Level of UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017, Component-Wise UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017, PYQ Analysis, Sample Questions.

I get it, preparing for the UPSC EPFO exam can feel like a never-ending cycle of reading and memorizing. But what if I told you there’s a smarter way to prepare? The PYQs, like the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 question paper, are an invaluable resource for understanding how the exam is structured and what kind of questions actually show up.

By solving the UPSC EPFO previous years question paper, you’ll quickly realize where your preparation is strong and where it’s lacking. 

Download the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 question paper below, and once you’ve got it, we’ll dive into the analysis. I’ll help you break it down and show you exactly what to focus on, so you can step into the exam with confidence.

Download UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 Question Paper with Answer Key

First, fill out the form below to download the free UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2023 question paper with answer key, along with 2017 and 2021 papers, in an easy-to-access PDF format.

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Once you’ve downloaded the UPSC EPFO EO/AO previous year question paper PDF, the next step is for you to go through the analysis of the exam, helping you identify areas of strength and weaknesses, so you can prepare smarter and more effectively.

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017: The Overall Difficulty Level 

Let’s talk about the overall difficulty level of the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 exam:

  • The UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 was of easy to moderate difficulty. It followed a pattern similar to SSC exams.
  • The type of questions, the time needed to solve them, and the subjects covered were quite predictable.
  • Most questions were fact-based, and an average level of preparation was enough to handle them.
  • Overall, the difficulty level is similar to the UPSC EPFO EO/AO exam conducted in 2021.

Now that you know the overall difficulty, let’s break it down component-wise to gain better clarity.

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 Question Paper: Component-Wise Analysis

Before you start preparing, it’s really important to know two things: where to begin and how much to study for each topic. This will help you figure out:

  • Which topics were harder,
  • Which topics had more questions, and
  • Where should you focus most of your time and effort in the next few months?

Quant And Reasoning for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 
PYQ Analysis
Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning
Total Number of Questions15 
Level of DifficultyModerate
PYQ AnalysisThere were a lot of numericals as well as Conceptual questions demanding deeper understanding and regular practice.
Topics CoveredSimplification, Number series & syste, Percentage, Ratio and proportion, Mensuration, Profit and loss, Simple and compound interest, Time and work, Time and distance, Coding decoding, Blood relation, Direction sense

A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. The abnormal loss on consignment is credited to
    1. Profit and Loss Account
    2. Consignee’s Account
    3. Consignment Account
    4. Income and Expenditure Account
  2. Consider the following information: Rate of gross profit – 25% on cost of goods sold. Sales – Rs. 20,00,000

Which one of the following is the amount of gross profit?

  1. Rs. 5,00,000
  2. Rs. 6,25,000
  3. Rs. 3,75,000
  4. Rs. 4,00,000

General English for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
PYQ Analysis
General English
Total Number of Questions20
Level of DifficultyModerate
PYQ AnalysisThere were a lot of questions that required consistent practice but still it is a high scoring component.
Topics CoveredSubject-verb agreement,Tenses, Preposition, Complex preposition, Advance verbs, Phrasal verbs, Sentence improvement, Reading comprehension, Synonyms & antonyms, Idioms & phrases + one word substitution

Few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. Which one of the following is the synonym of the word written in capital letters in the sentence, “The FUNDAMENTAL character of an individual defines his entire life”?
    1. Productive
    2. Essential
    3. Successful
    4. Effective
  2. Which one of the following parts of the sentence, “As you know that the ignorant are easily duped”, has an error?
    1. As you know
    2. that the ignorant
    3. are easily duped
    4. No error
  3. Which one of the following can be used as a substitute for the words written in capital letters in the sentence, “There is no meaning to CRY OVER THE SPILT MILK since the matter is over”?
    1. No use of worrying about
    2. No use of spilling now
    3. No use of celebration
    4. No use of asking for

Current Events for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 
PYQ Analysis
Current Events
Total Number of Questions17
Level of DifficultyModerate
PYQ AnalysisDeeper questions along with factual questions were asked that required rote memorization. One of the components with the highest scoring potential.  
Topics CoveredGovernment schemes, Reports of national and international organizations, First in news, Defence exercises, Environment, Sports, Awards and milestones, Days in news

Few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. Who among the following is the author of the book, Choice of Techniques?
    1. A. K. Sen
    2. K. N. Raj
    3. V. K. R. V. Rao
    4. Sukhamoy Chakravarty
  2. Which one of the following bodies has formulated the ‘National Student Startup Policy’, launched by the President of India in November 2016?
    1. UGC
    2. NCERT
    3. AIU
    4. AICTE
  3. Who among the following was the Chairman of the Working Group for determining the methodology for construction of Producer Price Index (PPI) in India (2014)?
    1. Sumitra Chaudhury
    2. D. V. Subbarao
    3. Abhijit Sen
    4. B. N. Goldar

Accountancy for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 
PYQ Analysis
Accountancy
Total Number of Questions10
Level of DifficultyEasy
PYQ AnalysisAdequate knowledge was required and theoretical questions were asked more.  
Topics CoveredPreparation of financial statements, Ratio analysis, Cash flow statement, Accounting for share capital transactions, Accounting for bonus shares and rights shares, Buyback of securities, Accounting standard for inventories, Accounting standard for revenue recognition, Accounting standard for property, plant and equipment, Accounting standard for investments, Preparation and presentation of company final accounts, Accounting for not-for-profit organisation

Few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. From the information given below, calculate the sum insurable:
    Date of fire – 01.03.2016
    Turnover from 01.03.2015 to 29.02.2016 – ₹88,00,000
    Agreed GP ratio – 20%
    Special circumstances clause provided for the increase of turnover by 10%
    1. ₹19,30,000
    2. ₹48,40,000
    3. ₹10,32,000
    4. ₹24,20,000
  2. When goods are purchased for the Joint Venture, the amount is debited to
    1. Purchase Account
    2. Joint Venture Account
    3. Venturer’s Capital Account
    4. Profit and Loss Account
  3. Preliminary expenses are the examples of
    1. capital expenditure
    2. capital gain
    3. deferred revenue expenditure
    4. revenue expenditure/expense

Indian Polity for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017
PYQ Analysis
Indian Polity
Total Number of Questions2
Level of DifficultyModerate
PYQ AnalysisCurrent affairs knowledge was beneficial. If you don’t have time then, I suggest to move on to the next question. 
Topics CoveredRegulating Act of 1773, Indian council Act of 1909, Government of India Act of 1919 and 1935, Features of Indian Constitution , Preamble of Indian Constitution , Fundamental rights, Directive principle of state policy (DPSPs), Emergency In India, President of India and governor of state, Parliament of India, Supreme court of India, Finance commission and its recommendations, National human right commission election commission, Committees of electoral reforms, Panchayati raj institution, Urban local government, Scheduled and tribal areas

Few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. Which one of the following statements regarding the Constituent Assembly of India is not correct?
    1. The Constituent Assembly was composed of members who had been elected indirectly by the Members of the Provincial Legislative Assembly
    2. The Constituent Assembly held its first sitting on 9th December, 1946.
    3. The seats in each province were distributed among the three main communities Muslim, Sikh and General, in proportion to their respective populations.
    4. The method of selection in the case of representatives of Indian States was to be determined by the Governor General of India.

Computer Awareness for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 
PYQ Analysis
Computer Awareness & Statistics
Total Number of Questions10
Level of DifficultyEasy
PYQ AnalysisHigh-scoring and considered a “low-hanging fruit,”. The questions were fairly easy and could have solved by average preparation.
Topics CoveredHistory and generation of computers , Computer organization, Computer memory, Computer hardware, Computer software, Operating system, Computer network, Number system, Microsoft office, Database management system, Computer security, Miscellaneous topic, Introduction to Statistics – Mean, Median, and Mode, Standard Deviation (SD)

Few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. CD-ROM is a
    1. secondary memory
    2. magnetic memory
    3. memory register
    4. semiconductor memory
  2. WAP stands for
    1. Wireless Addition Protocol
    2. Wireless Automation Protocol
    3. Wireless Adoption Protocol
    4. Wireless Application Protocol
  3. Bluetooth technology allows
    1. sending of files within the range of 10 km
    2. sending an e-mail
    3. wireless connection between various devices/equipments over short distances
    4. downloading of movies from Internet

Indian Freedom Struggle & History for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017
PYQ Analysis
Indian Freedom Struggle & History
Total Number of Questions16
Level of DifficultyModerate
PYQ AnalysisMajority of questions were from the cultural section. Give more importance to first and new names. Dates were important to remember as well. 
Topics CoveredBuddhism & Jainism, Caves and temples in India, Indian dance styles, Indian scriptures, UNESCO heritage, Archaeology in India, Important dynasties in India, Bhakti movement, Indian national congress, Mahatma Gandhi, Important policies & laws by British, Important peasant and tribal uprisings, Major social reformers, Revolutionary leaders, Important battles

A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below: 

  1. Which one of the following is correct about Assam in British India?
    1. It was a part of the North-East Frontier Agency
    2. It was made a province in 1865.
    3. It was separated from Bengal in 1874, and along with Sylhet made into a Chief Commissioner’s province.
    4. It was a Princely State ruled by Ahom kings.
  2. What were the peasant associations up in Kerala in the 1930s called?
    1. Kisan Sabha
    2. Kirti Kisan
    3. Karshaka Sangam
    4. Kisan Morcha
  3. Why did the Congress declare 9th May to be ‘Ethiopia Day’?
    1. Because the Ethiopians declared their support for the cause of Indian independence from British rule.
    2. Because Ethiopia became independent from Britain on that day.
    3. Because Ethiopia was attacked by Italy in early 1936 and their resistance was considered freedom struggle.
    4. Because Ethiopian leaders denounced Mussolini.
  4. Who set up the Mahamandal in Allahabad in 1910? Bharat Stree first met in
    1. Annie Besant
    2. Meherbai Tata
    3. Saraladevi Chaudhurani
    4. Tarabai Shinde

General Science for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017
PYQ Analysis
General Science
Total Number of Questions15
Level of DifficultyEasy
PYQ AnalysisBasic NCERT (Class 6–10) preparation with conceptual clarity.
Topics CoveredKinematics including distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration, Dynamics and Newton’s laws of motion, Electricity, Light, Magnetism, Elements, compounds, and mixtures, Atoms and molecules, Physical and chemical changes, Chemistry in daily life, Metals and non-metals, Acids and bases, Food components, Health and diseases, Cells and tissues, Organ systems – digestive system, skeletal system, muscular system, respiratory system, circulatory system, and reproductive system, Biotechnology, Space technology , Information and nanotechnology

A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. Which one of the following gases has the highest solubility in water?
    1. Chlorine
    2. Ammonia
    3. Carbon dioxide
    4. Nitrogen
  2. Bleaching powder contains
    1. nitrogen
    2. iodine
    3. chlorine
    4. bromine
  3. What is the causal agent of Chikungunya?
    1. Non-chlorophyllous bacterium
    2. Nematode
    3. Virus
    4. Fungus

Industrial Relations (IR) & Labour Laws (LL) for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 
PYQ Analysis
Industrial Relations (IR) & Labour Laws (LL)
Total Number of Questions8
Level of DifficultyModerate
PYQ AnalysisVarious questions from 6 Acts of Labour law, and dates from Industrial Relations
Topics CoveredPayment of Wages Act, 1936, Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, Trade Unions Act, 1926, Factories Act, 1948Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, Inter-state migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, Building and other construction workers (regulation of employment and conditions of service) Act, 1996, Mines Act, 1952, The code on social security, 2020, The code on wages, 2019, The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, The Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020

A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. Questions relating to the application or interpretation of a standing order certified under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 may be referred to
    1. Industrial Tribunal
    2. Labour Commissioner
    3. Labour Court
    4. Industrial Employment Court
  2. A union whose membership may cover workers employed in many industries, employment and crafts is known as
    1. industrial union
    2. general union
    3. craft union
    4. region-cum-industry level union
  3. Which one of the following explains the ‘citizen concept’ of labour?
    1. Labour is largely regarded by the employers as operating organizations in industry.
    2. Labour is affected by the law of demand and supply.
    3. Labour has a right to be consulted in regard to the terms and conditions under which they are supposed to work.
    4. Labour is a cog in the machine.
  4. Who among the following can be appointed as the Chairman of the Central Advisory Board constituted by the Central Government under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948?
    1. One of the independent members of the Board
    2. One of the employers’ representatives of the Board
    3. One of the employees’ representatives of the Board
    4. A functionary of the Central Government nominated by the Government

Social Security for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 
PYQ Analysis
Social Security
Total Number of Questions6
Level of DifficultyModerate
PYQ AnalysisHigh scoring potential. Remember to memorize years and policies. 
Topics CoveredTypes of retirement schemes, National pension system, Atal pension yojana, Social security schemes, Employees compensation act, 1923, Employees’ state insurance act, 1948, Employees’ provident fund and miscellaneous provisions act, 1952, Maternity benefit act, 1961, Payment of gratuity act, 1972, Unorganized workers social security act, 2008

Few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. Which one of the following statements is not correct for Atal Pension Yojana?
    1. There is guaranteed minimum monthly pension for the subscribers ranging between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 5,000 per month.
    2. The benefit of minimum pension would be guaranteed by the Government of India.
    3. Government of India co-contributes 50% of the subscriber’s contribution or Rs. 1,000 per annum, whichever is lower.
    4. It is applicable to all citizens of India aged above 40 years.
  2. Which one of the following is the amount of annual premium of the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) for accident and disability cover up to Rs. 2,00,000?
    1. Rs. 100
    2. Rs. 50
    3. Rs. 20
    4. Rs. 12

Indian Economy for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017

UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017
PYQ Analysis
Indian Economy
Total Number of Questions1
Level of DifficultyEasy
PYQ AnalysisLow weightage component. Deeper and conceptual questions were asked. 
Topics CoveredIntroduction to Demand and Supply, Elasticity of Demand, Measurement of Growth, Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India, Economic History of India, Monetary Policy, Inflation, Fiscal Policy, Regional Economic Cooperation, International Economic Institutions, Opening UP of the Indian Economy, Balance of Payment

A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2017 exam are given below:

  1. Core inflation is different from headline inflation because the former
    1. ignores articles of volatile nature in the price index
    2. considers articles of volatile nature in the price index
    3. is not based on commodity price index
    4. considers only core items of consumption in the price index

Key Takeaways from UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 Exam

  1. The exam required average preparation. 
  2. Quant and Reasoning, Indian Freedom Struggle & History, General Science, Computer Awareness, and Accountancy showed high scoring potential.
  3. For UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017, you should focus on theoretical clarity and focus on factual information only. 

Conclusion

Now that you have the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 paper and its analysis, don’t just stop here. Pick one subject today, revise it, and solve all related questions from the paper for the upcoming UPSC EPFO exam. This small step will give you real confidence for the exam.