With the UPSC EPFO exam around the corner, I know you’re probably feeling that pressure building up. But here’s the thing, if you want to know exactly what’s coming, you need to look at what has come before. The UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 question paper helps you in identifying your weak spots, figure out what’s worth spending more time on, and build the momentum you need.
So, download the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 question paper below, and in the next section, I’ll help you through an in-depth analysis of the UPSC EPFO previous year question paper of EO/AO 2021. Together, we’ll break it down and highlight everything you need to focus on to give yourself the best shot at success. Let’s begin.
Where to Download UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 Question Paper with Answer Key?
To download UPSC EPFO previous year question papers with answer key, click on the button below.
After you download the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 previous year question papers, make sure to read the exam analysis. It will help you find out which areas you are strong in and which ones you need to improve, so you can prepare better and smarter.
What Was The Overall Difficulty Level of UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021?
Let’s talk about the overall difficulty level of the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 exam:
- The UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 was of 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 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 2017.
Now that you know the overall difficulty, let’s break it down component-wise to gain better clarity.
UPSC EPFO APFC & EO/AO
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- Syllabus
- Previous Year Papers
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Component-Wise Analysis of UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 Question Paper
Before you begin your preparation, you must first be clear about two things: what to study first and how much time to give to each topic. This will make it easier for you to:
- Spot the topics that are tougher,
- Notice which topics have more questions, and
- Decide where you should put most of your time and hard work in the next few months.
I strongly recommend you download the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2023 paper for practice.
General English for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis General English | |
| Total Number of Questions | 20 |
| Level of Difficulty | Moderate |
| PYQ Analysis | Questions that required consistent practice from grammar to phrases understanding. |
| Topics Covered | Subject-verb agreement,Tenses, Preposition, Complex preposition, Advance verbs, Phrasal verbs, Sentence improvement, Reading comprehension, Synonyms & antonyms, Idioms & phrases + one word substitution |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Objective General English – SP Bakshi Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- The car which went past us/ when we were driving on the highway/ must have been doing at least a hundred miles an hour./ No error
- The car which went past us
- when we were driving on the highway
- must have been doing at least a hundred miles an hour.
- No error
- Raju will be back home/ in an year/ after his stay abroad./ No error
- Raju will be back home
- in an year
- after his stay abroad.
- No error
- I have/ much work/ to do./ No error.
- I have
- much work
- to do.
- No error
Quant And Reasoning for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning | |
| Total Number of Questions | 15 |
| Level of Difficulty | Moderate |
| PYQ Analysis | There were a lot of numericals demanding deeper understanding and regular practice. |
| Topics Covered | Simplification, 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 |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Quantitative Aptitude – Dr. R.S. Aggarwal A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – Dr. R.S. Aggarwal |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- Which one of the following is the average of all prime numbers between 21 and 55?
- 35.85
- 36.71
- 38.00
- 39.00
- If the ratio of speed of ‘A’ and ‘B’ is 5:6 and ‘B’ allows ‘A’ a start of 70 m in a 1.2 km race, who will win the race and by what distance?
- ‘A’ wins by 30 m
- ‘B’ wins by 200 m
- ‘B’ wins by 130 m
- The race finishes in a dead heat
- ‘M’ is 60 years old, ‘R’ is 5 years junior to ‘M’ and 4 years senior to ‘V’. The youngest brother of ‘V’ is ‘B’ and he is 6 years junior to ‘V’. What is the age difference between ‘M’ and ‘B’?
- 18 years
- 15 years
- 13 years
- 11 years
Indian Freedom Struggle & History for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis Indian Freedom Struggle & Modern Hisory | |
| Total Number of Questions | 15 |
| Level of Difficulty | Difficult |
| PYQ Analysis | Majority of questions were from the cultural and freedom section. Give more importance to first and new names. |
| Topics Covered | Buddhism & 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 |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Modern Indian History (Class 11th and 12th) – NCERT |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- Where did Gandhiji put in his first major public appearance after returning from South Africa in 1915?
- Bombay University
- Kheda
- Champaran
- Banaras Hindu University
- Who among the following is the author of ‘Gandhi as Mahatma’?
- Mahadev Desai
- Shahid Amin
- Louis Fischer
- David Arnold
- Who among the following was the President of the Indian National Congress at the time of independence of India?
- Pattabhi Sitaramayya
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Abul Kalam Azad
- J.B. Kripalani
- During 1931, under whose leadership did a strong Kisan Sabha Movement develop in the Gaya District of Bihar?
- Yadunandan Sharma
- Sahajanand
- Sheetla Sahai
- Tilka Manjhi
Indian Polity for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis Indian Polity | |
| Total Number of Questions | 6 |
| Level of Difficulty | Moderate |
| PYQ Analysis | This component required average preparation. Current affairs knowledge was beneficial. |
| Topics Covered | Regulating 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 |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- Which one of the following does not figure in the list of languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India?
- Dogri
- Bhoti
- Maithili
- Santhali
- Who among the following Speakers of Lok Sabha formally disassociated from the political party after his election as the Speaker?
- G.V. Mavalankar
- Sardar Hukam Singh
- Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
- P.A. Sangma
Computer Awareness for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis Computer Awareness | |
| Total Number of Questions | 5 |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| PYQ Analysis | High-scoring potential and considered a “low-hanging fruit,” but in-depth study ensured easy marks. |
| Topics Covered | History 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 |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Computer Awareness – Arihant Publications |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- Which one of the following is not a language translator?
- Assembler
- Linker
- Interpreter
- Compiler
- Which one of the following statements is correct? A device driver of output devices:
- Interprets input provided by users into computer usable form.
- Interprets computer output into user understandable form.
- Translates user inputs into output device.
- Facilitates user to communicate with output device.
- Which one of the following registers is used to keep track of the next instruction to be executed?
- Memory address register
- Memory buffer register
- Program counter
- Memory data register
UPSC EPFO APFC & EO/AO
Free E-Book
- Syllabus
- Previous Year Papers
- Preparation Sources
- Strategy
General Science for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis General Science | |
| Total Number of Questions | 10 |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| PYQ Analysis | Basic NCERT (Class 6–10) with conceptual and theoretical clarity. |
| Topics Covered | Kinematics 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 |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | General Science (Class 6th to 10th) – NCERT |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- Which one of the following statements is not correct? Wavelength of microwaves ranges between:
- Infrared waves and radio waves
- Visible waves and radio waves
- Gamma-rays and X-rays
- X-rays and visible waves
- Which one of the following is the size of hydrogen atom?
- 10^-10 m
- 10 micrometres
- 10 millimetres
- 1000 Angstrom
- Which one of the following statements regarding force is correct?
- A positive force implies attractive nature
- A negative force implies repulsive nature
- A positive force can be both attractive and repulsive in nature
- A negative force implies attractive nature
- When a dielectric material is kept in an external electric field, which one of the following phenomena may be realized?
- Magnetization
- Polarization
- Photoionization
- Circularization
Accountancy for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis Accountancy | |
| Total Number of Questions | 15 |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| PYQ Analysis | Thorough knowledge and practice were essential. Required conceptual clarity |
| Topics Covered | Preparation 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 |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Introduction to Accountancy – S. Chand Accountancy (Class 11th and 12th) – NCERT CBSE Accountancy Reference Books – D.K. Goel |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- The value of long-term investment in shares is subject to wide fluctuations. A provision created against fluctuation in value of investments is based on the convention of
- Conservatism
- full disclosure
- Materiality
- Consistency
- Which one of the following aspects is not covered in audit?
- Examination of the system of accounting and internal control
- Preparation of books of accounts
- Reporting to the appropriate person/body
- Verification of the authenticity and validity of transactions
Industrial Relations (IR) & Labour Laws (LL) for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis Industrial Relations (IR) & Labour Laws (LL) | |
| Total Number of Questions | 16 |
| Level of Difficulty | Moderate |
| PYQ Analysis | The Labour Law section required deep, repeated preparation. Various new ACTs were introduced. |
| Topics Covered | Payment 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 |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Industrial Relations and Labour Laws – Piyali Ghosh Ministry of Labour and Employment website → “Acts and Rules” → “Industrial Relations” section. |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- What is the minimum number of members required for registration of a Trade Union?
- 2 members
- 3 members
- 7 members
- 10 members
- Wages paid for installation of machinery is debited to which one of the following accounts?
- Wages Account
- Machinery Account
- Installation Account
- Profit and Loss Account
- When are current liabilities payable?
- Within a year
- After one year but within five years
- Within five years
- Subject to a contingency
- Is the total of Debit and Credit side of Trial Balance the same?
- No, there are sometimes good reasons why they differ
- Yes, always
- Yes, except where the Trial Balance is extracted at the year end
- No, because it is not a Balance Sheet
Social Security for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis Social Security | |
| Total Number of Questions | 4 |
| Level of Difficulty | Moderate |
| PYQ Analysis | Low weightage in this exam. However, the questions asked were easier and had high scoring potential. |
| Topics Covered | Types 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 |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Visit the Ministry of Labour and Employment website. Go to the “Acts and Rules” section → “Social Security” → Download only those Acts that I have mentioned in the table below. |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- Under Sukanya Samridhi Yojana, what is the maximum amount that can be deposited during a financial year?
- ₹1.5 lakh
- ₹1 lakh
- ₹2 lakh
- ₹2.5 lakh
- What is the minimum and maximum age at which a subscriber can join the Atal Pension Yojana?
- 21 years and 58 years respectively
- 18 years and 40 years respectively
- 18 years and 50 years respectively
- 21 years and 60 years respectively
- Which one of the following is not an objective under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)?
- Providing subsidies to use fertilizer, high yielding varieties (HYV) and pesticides
- To achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level
- To expand cultivable area under assured irrigation
- Improving on-farm water use efficiency
Indian Economy for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis Indian Economy | |
| Total Number of Questions | 5 |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| PYQ Analysis | Low weightage component with high scoring potential were asked. |
| Topics Covered | Introduction 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 |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Political Science (Class 9th to 12th) – NCERT |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- According to the Economic Survey 2020 – 21,” which one of the following will be India’s real GDP growth in the year 2021 – 22?
- 9%
- 11%
- 13%
- 15%
Current Events for UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021
| UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 PYQ Analysis Current Events | |
| Total Number of Questions | 9 |
| Level of Difficulty | Moderate |
| PYQ Analysis | Deeper questions along with factual questions were asked that required rote memorization. |
| Topics Covered | Government schemes, Reports of national and international organizations, First in news, Defence exercises, Environment, Sports, Awards and milestones, Days in news |
| Book/Resources Recommendation | Newspaper of the last 6 months |
A few sample questions from the EO/AO 2021 exam are given below:
- Naomi Osaka won the women’s singles title of the Australian Open Tennis Tournament, 2021. Who among the following was defeated by her in the finals?
- Venus Williams
- Jennifer Brady
- Serena Williams
- Simona Halep
- UNESCO has been observing February 21 as the International Mother Language Day since 2000. The idea to celebrate the International Mother Language Day was the initiative of which of the following nations?
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- India
- Nepal
- Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was recently selected as the first woman director general of WTO. She hails from which of the following countries?
- Japan
- Ethiopia
- Nigeria
- Egypt
- The Kaladan multimodal transit transport project will connect India with which one of the following countries?
- Nepal
- Myanmar
- Bhutan
- Afghanistan
UPSC EPFO APFC & EO/AO
Free E-Book
- Syllabus
- Previous Year Papers
- Preparation Sources
- Strategy
Key Takeaways from UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 Exam:
- The exam required average preparation.
- English, General Science, Indian Freedom Struggle & History, and Accountancy showed high scoring potential.
- For this exam, you need to focus on theoretical concepts, current affairs, and repeated revision of standard books.
Conclusion: What You Should Do Next?
Now that you’ve downloaded and understood the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2021 question paper, your next step is simple: start practicing seriously. Also, download the UPSC EPFO EO/AO 2017 Question Paper
Go through each section carefully, find out where you are strong and where you need more work. Focus more on topics that had higher weightage and needed deeper understanding, like History, Quant, and Reasoning. Stick to the recommended books, make a proper study plan, and practice every day.
Remember, solving past papers is not enough; you need to analyze, improve, and move ahead smartly. Keep going, you’re closer to your goal than you think.
