EPFO SSA key terms

A comprehension exercise in which words are removed from a passage and the candidate must choose the option that restores meaning and grammatical correctness at each gap.

A question type where a sentence is divided into parts and the candidate identifies the segment containing a grammatical mistake, or concludes that no error exists.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, so a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

A test item with one or more missing words in a sentence; the candidate selects the option that fits grammatically and contextually, often testing prepositions, articles or collocations.

The habitual pairing of words in a language, such as 'commit a crime' rather than 'do a crime', which makes one combination sound natural to native speakers.

A fixed expression whose overall meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, for example 'to bite the bullet' meaning to face something unpleasant bravely.

A word that carries the same or a very similar meaning as another word in a given context, such as 'begin' and 'commence'.

A word whose meaning is opposite to that of another word, such as 'scarce' as the opposite of 'abundant'.

The skill of reading a passage and answering questions about its main idea, supporting details, implied meaning, tone and vocabulary in context.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the passage rather than stated directly; the reader combines stated facts with logic to reach it.

A ratio compares two quantities of the same kind, while a proportion states that two ratios are equal; both are used to divide amounts or scale values.

A technique that first finds the value of one unit and then multiplies it to obtain the value of the required number of units.

The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values; also called the arithmetic mean, it represents a central value of the data.

A mean in which each value is multiplied by a weight reflecting its importance or frequency before summing, then divided by the total of the weights.

Interest calculated only on the original principal for the whole period, using the formula principal × rate × time divided by one hundred.

Interest computed on the principal plus previously earned interest, so the amount grows each period and exceeds simple interest over the same term.

Problems about the rate at which individuals or groups complete a job; rates add when people work together, and the work is often taken as one unit.

A variation of time-and-work problems where inlet pipes fill a tank and outlet pipes empty it; filling rates are positive and emptying rates negative.

The skill of reading tables, bar graphs, pie charts or line graphs, extracting figures and computing percentages, averages or ratios from them.

A fraction expressed with denominator one hundred; used to compare quantities and to compute profit, loss, discount and rate of change.

The branch of geometry dealing with the measurement of lengths, perimeters, areas, surface areas and volumes of plane and solid figures.

A reasoning item presenting a pair of related items and asking the candidate to complete a second pair that shares the same relationship.

A question type in which all but one item in a group share a common property, and the candidate must identify the odd item out.

A sequence of numbers, letters or figures following a pattern; the candidate finds the rule and supplies the missing or next term.

A puzzle where words or numbers are converted into a code by a rule such as letter shifting, and the candidate decodes new words using that rule.

Reasoning problems that describe family links in words or symbols and ask how two persons are related, often requiring a family tree sketch.

Problems tracking movement in terms of north, south, east and west, asking for final position, distance or facing direction after a series of turns.

A logic question giving two or more premises about categories and asking which conclusions necessarily follow, regardless of real-world knowledge.

A puzzle placing people in a row or around a circle or square using clues about position and facing direction, from which a complete arrangement is deduced.

The three-tier system of rural local government in India, comprising village panchayats, panchayat samitis at the block level and zila parishads at the district level.

Basic rights guaranteed to individuals by Part III of the Indian Constitution, including equality, freedom, protection against exploitation and constitutional remedies.

The eleven obligations listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, added by the 42nd Amendment, which every citizen is expected to observe.

Guidelines in Part IV of the Indian Constitution that direct the state towards social and economic welfare; they are not enforceable in courts.

A statutory retirement savings scheme under the EPF and MP Act, 1952, in which employee and employer contributions accumulate with interest until withdrawal.

A pension scheme funded from the employer's provident fund contribution, providing monthly pension to members after the qualifying age or service period.

A social security scheme linked to provident fund membership that pays an insurance benefit to the nominee if an insured member dies during service.

The interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends short-term funds to commercial banks against government securities, used as a key monetary policy tool.

The share of a bank's net demand and time liabilities that must be held as cash with the Reserve Bank of India, earning no interest.