Public Service Commission of Nepal (Lok Sewa Aayog)

The Public Service Commission (PSC), known in Nepali as Lok Sewa Aayog, is the body that selects people for the civil service of Nepal on the basis of merit. Every candidate preparing for Kharidar, Nayab Subba or Section Officer posts deals with it directly, so questions about its history, structure and work are common in exams. This note explains these points in simple language.

1. History and establishment

The Commission was set up on 1 Asar 2008 BS, which falls in June 1951 AD. It was created soon after the political change of 2007 BS, when the country moved away from Rana rule and needed a fair way to fill government posts.

Since then the PSC has been recognised in each of Nepal’s constitutions. Over the decades it has grown from a small office into a large national institution with offices outside Kathmandu as well. Its central office is at Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu. Because the PSC has served the country without a break for so many years, it is often described as one of the most trusted public institutions of Nepal.

2. Constitutional status

Under the Constitution of Nepal 2072, the Commission is a constitutional body. This means it is created by the Constitution itself and not by an ordinary law, which gives it independence and protection from day-to-day political pressure.

The provisions are found in Part 23 of the Constitution:

3. Composition and appointment

• The Commission has a Chairperson and four other members, so it has five office holders in total.
• They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council.
• At least fifty percent of the members must be chosen from people who have worked in government service for twenty years or more.
• The remaining members are chosen from people who have earned a good name through research, teaching or other important work in fields such as science, technology, art, literature, law, public administration or sociology.
• Before appointment, the names go through a parliamentary hearing.

Term and qualifications

When the office becomes vacant

The office of the Chairperson or a member becomes vacant on resignation in writing to the President, on reaching 65 years of age, on removal through impeachment, or on death. After leaving office, a former Chairperson or member cannot normally be appointed to other government service, except to political posts or to posts that involve investigation, inquiry, research or advice.

4. Functions, duties and powers

The main duty of the PSC under Article 243 is to conduct examinations to select suitable candidates for posts in the civil service. In addition:

• It conducts written examinations for posts in the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and other federal government services. The rest of the selection for these services is carried out under their own laws.
• It conducts written examinations for posts in corporate bodies (organised institutions) as provided by law, such as government-owned companies and corporations.
• The Commission must be consulted on matters such as:
  • laws on conditions of service of the federal civil service;
  • principles of appointment, promotion and departmental action (disciplinary action) in the civil service;
  • the suitability of candidates for appointment, and transfer from one service to another;
  • departmental punishment of federal civil servants.
• No permanent appointment to a pensionable civil service post may be made without the recommendation of the PSC.

The Commission also prepares an annual report of its work and submits it to the President.

5. Provincial Public Service Commissions

Nepal became a federal country under the Constitution of 2072. Article 244 says there shall be a Provincial Public Service Commission in each province. The formation, functions, duties and powers of a provincial commission are set by provincial law, but within the basis and standards laid down by a federal law. The provincial commissions select staff for provincial civil service and local level posts according to those laws.

6. The recruitment process

In general terms, recruitment through the PSC follows these steps:

1. Demand of posts: a government body sends the number and type of vacant posts to the Commission.
2. Advertisement: the PSC publishes a notice giving the posts, qualifications, syllabus, fees and deadlines. Candidates then apply, mostly through an online system.
3. Written examination: many posts have a preliminary test, often of the objective type, followed by a main written exam. Only those who pass go further.
4. Interview (and other tests such as group tests where they apply).
5. Merit list and recommendation: the PSC publishes the final result in order of merit and recommends the successful candidates to the body that will appoint them.

Through this chain, appointment is based on merit, open competition and equal opportunity. The law also reserves a share of posts for groups such as women, Adivasi Janajati, Madhesi, Dalit, people with disabilities and people from backward areas, so that the civil service becomes more inclusive.

Example

Suppose a ministry needs ten Nayab Subbas. It sends the demand to the PSC. The PSC advertises the posts, holds the preliminary and main written exams, interviews those who pass, and then recommends the ten highest-ranked candidates. The ministry can then appoint them permanently. Without the PSC recommendation, it cannot make a permanent appointment.