76th Anniversary of the Public Service Commission
Brief Introduction
After the historic political change of 2007 BS, the Public Service Commission (PSC - Lok Sewa Aayog) was formally established on Ashadh 1, 2008 BS, under Article 64 of Nepal’s Interim Government Act issued in the same year, under the name “Nepal Public Service Commission.” From 2008 BS to the present year 2083 BS, the Commission has continued to establish itself as a center of trust and confidence for the Nepali people through its impartial and fair working system.
The Public Service Commission is a specialized constitutional body that selects suitable and qualified candidates for public administration. Provisions regarding the formation, functions, duties, and powers of the Commission are included in Articles 242 and 243 under Part 23 of the Constitution of Nepal. Accordingly, the Commission consists of a total of five office-bearers, including a chairperson and four other members.
There is a constitutional provision that at least 50 percent of the members must be appointed from among experienced persons who have served in government service for 20 years or more, while the remaining members must be appointed from among distinguished experts who have earned recognition through research, investigation, teaching, or other important work in science, technology, art, literature, law, public administration, sociology, or other fields of national life. The provision that the tenure of the chairperson and members of the Commission is six years from the date of appointment and that they cannot be reappointed has further strengthened its autonomy and impartiality.
Under Article 243 of the Constitution of Nepal, the main duty of the Public Service Commission is to conduct examinations for selecting suitable candidates for civil service posts. The Constitution has made it mandatory to consult the Commission on laws related to the conditions of the federal civil service, permanent appointment, promotion, departmental action, service change or transfer, and permanent appointment to posts entitled to pension. In addition, under Article 104, the authority to conduct examinations of the Judicial Service Commission and to recommend candidates for new recruitment or promotion in gazetted posts of that service is also vested in this Commission.
Recruitment in Security Bodies and Organized Institutions
According to Article 243(2) of the Constitution of Nepal, the Public Service Commission conducts written examinations for recruitment to posts in security bodies, other federal government services, and organized institutions. Sub-articles (3) and (4) of the same article provide that the Public Service Commission must be consulted on the general principles to be followed while making promotions in government security bodies and other federal government services, and while making promotions and taking departmental action in posts of organized institutions.
After the Public Service Commission gives consent for publication of advertisements, the concerned institutions publish advertisements and call for applications. Thereafter, the Public Service Commission conducts the written examination and publishes the written results, while the concerned institutions’ recruitment committees conduct interviews and make the final selection.
At present, the Commission’s office-bearers and employees are representing the Commission in such recruitment committees of four security bodies and 99 organized institutions. During fiscal year 2081/82, consent was given for advertisements for a total of 17,492 posts in such institutions.
Reforms and Innovations in the Commission
The Public Service Commission has been performing its duties by adopting the three core principles of “merit, impartiality, and fairness.” To effectively fulfill its constitutional responsibility of selecting suitable candidates for the civil service, the Commission has continuously improved the candidate selection system by adopting various innovative technologies.
Online Application System: Since 2071/12/23 BS, the online application system has been implemented to collect applications through electronic means. This system has been linked with the Revenue Management Information System (RMIS) of the Financial Comptroller General Office, and an e-payment arrangement has been implemented to allow application fees to be paid through Mobile Wallet e-Sewa and other means.
Answer Sheet Evaluation System: To make the Commission’s examinations more impartial, arrangements have been made for answer sheets of all services under gazetted first and second class to be evaluated by two experts. If there is a large difference in the marks awarded by the two evaluators, the answer sheet is evaluated by a third expert. Arrangements have also been made to evaluate answer sheets at the Commission’s own office. In the evaluation of objective multiple-choice answer sheets, technology is being used, and objective answer sheets are evaluated automatically through the Optical Mark Reader Machine (OMR).
Testing Methods: In line with the policy of gradually implementing the newly developed Assessment Centre Methodologies (ACM), testing techniques have been introduced, including Case Presentation for gazetted first class, In Basket Exercise for gazetted second class, and group discussion for candidates who pass the written examination for gazetted third class.
National Conference of Public Service Commissions: With the objective of institutionalizing and promoting the established working system of the Commission at the provincial level, the National Conference of Public Service Commissions has been conducted every year in Falgun since 2077 BS with the participation of provincial public service commissions. So far, six conferences have been completed: in Kavrepalanchok district in 2077 BS, Rupandehi district in 2078 BS, Kailali district in 2079 BS, Surkhet district in 2080 BS, Biratnagar of Morang district in 2081 BS, and Pokhara of Kaski district in 2082 BS.
Historical Development of the Commission
Establishment and Initial Foundation
Ashadh 1, 2008 BS: Establishment of the Public Service Commission.
Bhadra 18, 2008 BS: Publication of the first advertisement for six posts.
2012 BS: Start of selection of postgraduate/graduate officers.
2016 BS: Submission of the first report of the Public Service Commission.
2017 BS: Suspension of the Public Service Commission from Magh 25, 2017 BS to the end of Jestha 2018 BS.
Expansion of Jurisdiction and Professionalism
2023 BS: Received responsibility for recruitment in organized institutions.
2043 BS: Received authority to formulate general principles related to recruitment of employees in public enterprises.
2047 BS: The Commission’s jurisdiction was limited only to the civil service.
2063 BS: Received responsibility to provide consultation on general principles regarding appointment and promotion in security bodies.
2063 BS: Provision made for organized institutions to consult the Commission on “paila” recruitment and departmental action.
Baishakh 13, 2069 BS: Provision made requiring examinees to use black ink compulsorily in answer sheets.
Technology, Innovation, and Modern Selection System
Bhadra 7, 2061 BS: Started evaluation of objective multiple-answer answer sheets through Optical Mark Reader (OMR) technology.
Chaitra 23, 2071 BS: Started collecting applications through the online system.
2072 BS: Received responsibility to conduct written examinations for recruitment to posts in security bodies and organized institutions.
Poush 6, 2074 BS: Started double evaluation of answer sheets.
2073 BS: Started Assessment Centre Methodology (ACM) testing technology.
2075 BS: Started In Basket Exercise testing for gazetted second class, or Under Secretary, non-technical posts.
Governance Transformation and Strengthening of Procedures
Jestha 15, 2076 BS: Advertisement of 9,161 posts at once for local levels.
2077 BS: Arrangement made for answer sheets of new levels and above in organized institutions to be evaluated by experts within the Commission premises.
Ashadh 31, 2079 BS: Public Service Commission Act, 2079 issued to manage the jurisdiction in line with the Constitution of Nepal.
Mangsir 26, 2079 BS: Second Strategic Plan of the Commission, 2079/80–2083/84, brought into implementation.
Poush 14, 2079 BS: Standards related to the curriculum of examinations conducted for recruitment in security bodies, other federal government services, and organized institutions, 2079, approved.
Baishakh 8, 2083 BS: Principles and standards adopted by the Public Service Commission made public.
Commission Performance: Infographics
Advertisements, Applications, and Recommendations in the Last 10 Years
1. Fiscal Year: 2064/65
Advertised Posts: 3,181
Applications: 419,834
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 2,592
2. Fiscal Year: 2065/66
Advertised Posts: 3,660
Applications: 473,490
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 2,688
3. Fiscal Year: 2066/67
Advertised Posts: 3,357
Applications: 483,203
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 3,675
4. Fiscal Year: 2067/68
Advertised Posts: 3,727
Applications: 366,324
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 2,672
5. Fiscal Year: 2068/69
Advertised Posts: 3,784
Applications: 533,548
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 138
6. Fiscal Year: 2069/70
Advertised Posts: 4,754
Applications: 415,926
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 304
7. Fiscal Year: 2070/71
Advertised Posts: 1,194
Applications: 143,840
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 4,574
8. Fiscal Year: 2071/72
Advertised Posts: 5,970
Applications: 567,853
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 7,718
9. Fiscal Year: 2072/73
Advertised Posts: 10,368
Applications: 844,297
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 9,565
10. Fiscal Year: 2073/74
Advertised Posts: 13,047
Applications: 595,031
Recommendations from Advertisements of Previous Fiscal Years: 5,638
Advertisement Trend
Advertised Post Numbers:
13,047, 10,368, 5,970, 1,194, 4,754, 3,784, 3,727, 3,357, 3,660, 3,181
Fiscal Years:
2073/74, 2072/73, 2071/72, 2070/71, 2069/70, 2068/69, 2067/68, 2066/67, 2065/66, 2064/65
Application Trend
Number of Applications:
595,031, 844,297, 567,853, 143,840, 415,926, 533,548, 366,324, 483,203, 473,490, 419,834
Fiscal Years:
2073/74, 2072/73, 2071/72, 2070/71, 2069/70, 2068/69, 2067/68, 2066/67, 2065/66, 2064/65
Candidate Recommendation Trend
Number of Recommended Candidates:
5,638, 9,565, 7,718, 4,574, 304, 138, 2,672, 3,675, 2,688, 2,592
Fiscal Years:
2073/74, 2072/73, 2071/72, 2070/71, 2069/70, 2068/69, 2067/68, 2066/67, 2065/66, 2064/65
Principles of Performance
The principles of merit, impartiality, fairness, equal opportunity, inclusiveness, double-blind principle, identity masking, recusal, and confidentiality have been adopted as the guiding principles of the Commission’s performance. These principles ensure that the examinations and decision-making processes conducted by the Commission are high-quality, fair, and free from prejudice. By maintaining integrity, responsibility, reliability, and accountability in its work, the Commission ensures access to its advertisements for all qualified Nepali citizens.
In addition, through the double-blind principle, office-bearers, experts, or employees involved in any confidential stage of the recruitment process are prevented from having access to other stages of that process. Similarly, answer sheets are evaluated after separating the identity of the candidates who apply. If relatives of Commission office-bearers, employees, or experts are candidates in any examination conducted by the Commission, such persons are kept away from confidential work. Through this working system, the Commission has been effectively fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities, including selecting suitable candidates for the civil service.
Merit and Equal Opportunity
1. Merit
Ensuring that candidates who secure the highest marks are recommended.
2. Equal Opportunity
Equal access to the application process for all citizens who meet the minimum qualifications.
3. Inclusiveness
Determination of the number of posts for advertisement in accordance with state policy.
Impersonal Working System
4. Impartiality
Prejudice-free decisions and neutral work conduct.
5. Fairness
Institutional arrangement of integrity, accountability, and an objective decision-making system.
6. Recusal
If a relative is a candidate, such employee or office-bearer is separated from the process.
Security and Confidentiality
7. Double Blind
After being involved in any confidential stage, the person is separated from other confidential stages of the same advertisement.
8. Identity Masking
Double coding of answer sheets before evaluation and decoding at the time of results.
9. Confidentiality
Confidential stages of work, experts, questions, and marks are kept confidential.
Recruitment So Far Through Advertisements Targeted at Inclusive Groups
1. Fiscal Year: 2064/065
Women: 365
Indigenous Nationalities: 273
Madhesi: 233
Dalit: 96
Persons with Disabilities: 46
Backward Area: 43
Total: 1,056
2. Fiscal Year: 2065/066
Women: 341
Indigenous Nationalities: 282
Madhesi: 246
Dalit: 104
Persons with Disabilities: 49
Backward Area: 42
Total: 1,064
3. Fiscal Year: 2066/067
Women: 500
Indigenous Nationalities: 401
Madhesi: 310
Dalit: 133
Persons with Disabilities: 58
Backward Area: 58
Total: 1,460
4. Fiscal Year: 2067/068
Women: 380
Indigenous Nationalities: 288
Madhesi: 111
Dalit: 74
Persons with Disabilities: 53
Backward Area: 27
Total: 933
5. Fiscal Year: 2068/069
Women: 9
Indigenous Nationalities: 6
Madhesi: 2
Dalit: 1
Persons with Disabilities: 2
Backward Area: 0
Total: 20
6. Fiscal Year: 2069/070
Women: 39
Indigenous Nationalities: 26
Madhesi: 24
Dalit: 7
Persons with Disabilities: 3
Backward Area: 4
Total: 103
7. Fiscal Year: 2070/071
Women: 625
Indigenous Nationalities: 509
Madhesi: 409
Dalit: 158
Persons with Disabilities: 95
Backward Area: 77
Total: 1,883
8. Fiscal Year: 2071/072
Women: 1,088
Indigenous Nationalities: 858
Madhesi: 719
Dalit: 292
Persons with Disabilities: 163
Backward Area: 132
Total: 3,248
9. Fiscal Year: 2072/073
Women: 1,383
Indigenous Nationalities: 1,026
Madhesi: 901
Dalit: 385
Persons with Disabilities: 189
Backward Area: 148
Total: 4,028
10. Fiscal Year: 2073/074
Women: 797
Indigenous Nationalities: 629
Madhesi: 503
Dalit: 213
Persons with Disabilities: 101
Backward Area: 95
Total: 2,338
11. Fiscal Year: 2074/075
Women: 639
Indigenous Nationalities: 547
Madhesi: 454
Dalit: 168
Persons with Disabilities: 76
Backward Area: 75
Total: 1,959
12. Fiscal Year: 2075/076
Women: 526
Indigenous Nationalities: 429
Madhesi: 344
Dalit: 173
Persons with Disabilities: 91
Backward Area: 71
Total: 1,634
13. Fiscal Year: 2076/077
Women: 372
Indigenous Nationalities: 318
Madhesi: 244
Dalit: 106
Persons with Disabilities: 51
Backward Area: 35
Total: 1,126
14. Fiscal Year: 2077/078
Women: 352
Indigenous Nationalities: 280
Madhesi: 212
Dalit: 99
Persons with Disabilities: 40
Backward Area: 30
Total: 1,013
15. Fiscal Year: 2078/079
Women: 471
Indigenous Nationalities: 371
Madhesi: 300
Dalit: 105
Persons with Disabilities: 51
Backward Area: 43
Total: 1,341
16. Fiscal Year: 2079/080
Women: 495
Indigenous Nationalities: 368
Madhesi: 319
Dalit: 142
Persons with Disabilities: 64
Backward Area: 43
Total: 1,431
17. Fiscal Year: 2080/081
Women: 117
Indigenous Nationalities: 94
Madhesi: 91
Dalit: 36
Persons with Disabilities: 15
Backward Area: 12
Total: 365
18. Fiscal Year: 2081/082
Women: 366
Indigenous Nationalities: 244
Madhesi: 183
Dalit: 84
Persons with Disabilities: 33
Backward Area: 17
Total: 927
Total
Women: 8,965
Indigenous Nationalities: 7,030
Madhesi: 5,729
Dalit: 2,386
Persons with Disabilities: 1,207
Backward Area: 957
Grand Total: 26,274
Status of Recommendations of Candidates from Inclusive Groups
Fiscal Year: 2064/065
Details: Recommended from open competition
Women: 318
Indigenous Nationalities: 117
Madhesi: 118
Dalit: 32
Persons with Disabilities: 16
Backward Area: 110
Fiscal Year: 2064/065
Details: Recommended from inclusive competition
Women: 365
Indigenous Nationalities: 273
Madhesi: 233
Dalit: 96
Persons with Disabilities: 46
Backward Area: 43
Fiscal Year: 2065/066
Details: Recommended from open competition
Women: 262
Indigenous Nationalities: 73
Madhesi: 144
Dalit: 33
Persons with Disabilities: 16
Backward Area: 97
Fiscal Year: 2065/066
Details: Recommended from inclusive competition
Women: 341
Indigenous Nationalities: 282
Madhesi: 246
Dalit: 104
Persons with Disabilities: 49
Backward Area: 42
Fiscal Year: 2066/067
Details: Recommended from open competition
Women: 372
Indigenous Nationalities: 205
Madhesi: 242
Dalit: 33
Persons with Disabilities: 27
Backward Area: 148
Fiscal Year: 2066/067
Details: Recommended from inclusive competition
Women: 500
Indigenous Nationalities: 401
Madhesi: 310
Dalit: 133
Persons with Disabilities: 58
Backward Area: 58
Fiscal Year: 2067/068
Details: Recommended from open competition
Women: 237
Indigenous Nationalities: 139
Madhesi: 106
Dalit: 25
Persons with Disabilities: 24
Backward Area: 94
Fiscal Year: 2067/068
Details: Recommended from inclusive competition
Women: 380
Indigenous Nationalities: 288
Madhesi: 111
Dalit: 74
Persons with Disabilities: 53
Backward Area: 27
Fiscal Year: 2068/069
Details: Recommended from open competition
Women: 4
Indigenous Nationalities: 7
Madhesi: 0
Dalit: 0
Persons with Disabilities: 0
Backward Area: 1
Fiscal Year: 2068/069
Details: Recommended from inclusive competition
Women: 9
Indigenous Nationalities: 6
Madhesi: 2
Dalit: 1
Persons with Disabilities: 2
Backward Area: 0
Fiscal Year: 2069/070
Details: Recommended from open competition
Women: 8
Indigenous Nationalities: 9
Madhesi: 17
Dalit: 1
Persons with Disabilities: 0
Backward Area: 0
Fiscal Year: 2069/070
Details: Recommended from inclusive competition
Women: 39
Indigenous Nationalities: 26
Madhesi: 24
Dalit: 7
Persons with Disabilities: 3
Backward Area: 4
Fiscal Year: 2070/071
Details: Recommended from open competition
Women: 546
Indigenous Nationalities: 237
Madhesi: 343
Dalit: 41
Persons with Disabilities: 36
Backward Area: 172
Fiscal Year: 2070/071
Details: Recommended from inclusive competition
Women: 625
Indigenous Nationalities: 509
Madhesi: 382
Dalit: 151
Persons with Disabilities: 95
Backward Area: 77
Fiscal Year: 2071/072
Details: Recommended from open competition
Women: 1,088
Indigenous Nationalities: 858
Madhesi: 719
Dalit: 292
Persons with Disabilities: 163
Backward Area: 132
Fiscal Year: 2071/072
Details: Recommended from inclusive competition
Women: 861
Indigenous Nationalities: 541
Madhesi: 542
Dalit: 86
Persons with Disabilities: 45
Backward Area: 485
Fiscal Year: 2072/073
Details: Recommended from open competition
Women: 1,687
Indigenous Nationalities: 828
Madhesi: 714
Dalit: 111
Persons with Disabilities: 78
Backward Area: 142
Fiscal Year: 2072/073
Details: Recommended from inclusive competition
Women: 1,383
Indigenous Nationalities: 1,026
Madhesi: 901
Dalit: 385
Persons with Disabilities: 189
Backward Area: 382
Details: Candidates from inclusive groups recommended through open advertisements
Women: 4,700
Indigenous Nationalities: 2,473
Madhesi: 2,384
Dalit: 568
Persons with Disabilities: 360
Backward Area: 986
Details: Candidates recommended through inclusive advertisements
Women: 4,511
Indigenous Nationalities: 3,362
Madhesi: 2,833
Dalit: 1,037
Persons with Disabilities: 540
Backward Area: 1,128
