EPFO LDCE Recruitment 2026 — Apply Online for 153 Promotional Posts (LDC / JSA)
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has officially released its Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) Notification 2026 for promotion to the posts of Lower Division Clerk (LDC) and Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA). The notification, bearing Reference No. A-45013/7/2022-EXAM/909 and dated 18th March 2026, has been published on the official EPFO website at epfindia.gov.in. A total of 153 vacancies have been notified across 23 zones and regional offices. This is strictly an internal promotion opportunity available exclusively to eligible serving employees of EPFO and is not open to external or fresh applicants.
The online application window opened on 20th March 2026 and will close on 1st April 2026. The examination is tentatively scheduled for 2nd May 2026 and will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Eligible candidates are advised to read the official notification thoroughly before completing the online application process through the IBPS portal.
Recruitment Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) |
| Post Names | Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) |
| Total Vacancies | 153 Posts across 23 Zones / Regions |
| Exam Type | Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) — Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Exam Scheme | EPFO LDC/JSA Departmental Competitive Exam Scheme, 2023 |
| Notification Reference No. | A-45013/7/2022-EXAM/909 dated 18.03.2026 |
| Application Start Date | 20th March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 1st April 2026 |
| Exam Date | 2nd May 2026 (Tentative) |
| Official Website | Click here |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Release Date | 18th March 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 20th March 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 1st April 2026 |
| PDF Submission to ACC / Zones | 4th April 2026 |
| Eligible List to be Sent to Head Office | 6th April 2026 |
| Examination Date | 2nd May 2026 (Tentative) |
| Cut-off Date for Eligibility | 1st January 2025 |
Zone-wise Vacancy Details
A total of 153 promotional vacancies have been distributed across 21 zones and regional offices of EPFO (as on 31st December 2025). The zone-wise breakdown is presented below:
| Zone / Region | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 4 |
| Bihar | 1 |
| Chennai & Puducherry | 27 |
| Chandigarh | 5 |
| Chhattisgarh | 1 |
| Delhi | 3 |
| Gujarat | 19 |
| Haryana | 1 |
| Head Office | 7 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 1 |
| Jharkhand | 1 |
| Karnataka | 10 |
| Kerala | 8 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 1 |
| Maharashtra | 42 |
| Odisha | 1 |
| Rajasthan | 4 |
| Telangana | 4 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1 |
| Uttarakhand | 1 |
| West Bengal | 12 |
| Total | 153 |
Note: Maharashtra holds the highest share of vacancies with 42 posts, followed by Chennai & Puducherry with 27 posts.
Eligibility Criteria
This recruitment is open exclusively to existing regular employees of EPFO. The post-wise eligibility conditions are as follows:
For Lower Division Clerk (LDC)
- Group ‘C’ employees whose pay scale is identical to or lower than that of an LDC, as well as Group ‘D’ employees serving in their respective offices, are eligible.
- Candidates must hold a minimum qualification of Matriculation (Class 10) or its equivalent from a recognised board.
- A minimum of 5 years of regular service in Group ‘D’ and Group ‘C’ isolated cadre is mandatory.
For Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)
- Group ‘C’ staff of the Head Office are eligible to apply for this post.
- Candidates must possess a minimum qualification of Matriculation (Class 10) or its equivalent.
- A minimum of 3 years of regular service in the grade at Level-1 of the Pay Matrix (Rs. 18,000 – 56,900) is required.
Important: The cut-off date for determining eligibility (service period and qualification) is 1st January 2025. Employees who do not satisfy the conditions as on this date will not be considered eligible.
Exam Pattern & Selection Process
Selection will be made on the basis of performance in a single Computer-Based Test (CBT) consisting of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The examination will be conducted as per the EPFO LDC/JSA Departmental Competitive Exam Scheme, 2023. The paper structure is as follows:
| Paper | Subjects Covered | Duration | Total Marks | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | English Language, Administration, Arithmetic & Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability | 120 Minutes | 100 | Computer-Based MCQs |
Official Notification & Apply Online
The official notification PDF and the online application portal are accessible through the links below. Candidates must apply through the IBPS registration portal designated for this examination.
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
How to Apply
The application process involves both an online submission and an offline follow-up step. Candidates must complete both to ensure their application is processed. The step-by-step procedure is outlined below:
- Visit the IBPS online application portal: Click here.
- Register and log in to access the application form.
- Fill in all required personal, service, and qualification details accurately and submit the form online on or before 1st April 2026.
- Download and take a printout of the duly completed application form (PDF).
- Forward the printed PDF to the concerned ACC (HQ) / ACC (Zones) / Director (PDUNASS) / ACC (ASD) on or before 4th April 2026.
- The eligible candidates list, prepared in the prescribed Annexure-II format, must be emailed to the designated EPFO email address by 6th April 2026.
Note: Incomplete applications or those received after the stipulated deadline will be summarily rejected. Candidates are advised to retain a copy of both the submitted online form and the forwarded PDF for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply online for EPFO LDCE Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 1st April 2026. In addition, the duly filled printed PDF must be forwarded to the concerned ACC or Zonal office by 4th April 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies have been announced under EPFO LDCE 2026?
EPFO has notified a total of 153 vacancies for promotion to the posts of Lower Division Clerk (LDC) and Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) through this Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. Maharashtra accounts for the largest share with 42 vacancies, followed by Chennai & Puducherry with 27.
Q3. Who is eligible to apply for EPFO LDC / JSA LDCE 2026?
This examination is open exclusively to existing regular EPFO employees. For LDC: Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ employees with Matriculation qualification and a minimum of 5 years regular service. For JSA: Group ‘C’ staff at the Head Office with Matriculation qualification and at least 3 years regular service at Level-1 of the Pay Matrix (Rs. 18,000–56,900). External or fresh candidates are not eligible.
Q4. What is the examination date and mode for EPFO LDCE 2026?
The examination is tentatively scheduled for 2nd May 2026 and will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) comprising 100 Multiple Choice Questions covering English, Administration, Arithmetic & Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability, within a time limit of 120 minutes.
Q5. What is the cut-off date for determining eligibility?
The eligibility cut-off date is 1st January 2025. All service period and qualification requirements must have been fulfilled on or before this date to be considered eligible for the examination.
Q6. Is EPFO LDCE 2026 a direct recruitment or a departmental promotion exam?
EPFO LDCE 2026 is strictly a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) meant for internal promotion. It is not a direct recruitment drive. Only regular Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ employees of EPFO who meet the prescribed service and qualification criteria are permitted to apply.
Q7. Where can I download the official notification PDF for EPFO LDCE 2026?
The official notification PDF (Ref. No. A-45013/7/2022-EXAM/909, dated 18.03.2026) can be downloaded from the EPFO website. Direct notification PDF link: Click here. Official website: Click here.