Under correspondence (पत्र व्यवहार), the syllabus lists सूचना, परिपत्र र तोक आदेश. Exams ask for the meaning, a sample format or the difference between them. Letter writing in general is covered in Patra Lekhan.
1. Notice (सूचना)
A notice is a written announcement that an office makes to inform the general public or a specific group about something: vacancies, tenders, holidays, meetings, deadlines, results.
- Where published: notice board, newspaper, office website, social media, radio.
- Parts: office name and address (letterhead), notice number and date, title “सूचना” with subject, body (what, when, where, who), signature, name and designation of the authorised officer.
- Qualities: short, clear, complete, published in time, easy for the public to understand.
| Sample notice (outline) |
|---|
| नेपाल सरकार · ……… कार्यालय · ठेगाना |
| सूचना नं.: …… मिति: २०८३/……/…… |
| विषय: ……… सम्बन्धी सूचना |
| यस कार्यालयबाट ……… गर्नुपर्ने भएकाले सम्बन्धित सबैको जानकारीका लागि यो सूचना प्रकाशित गरिएको छ। …… (मिति, समय, स्थान, आवश्यक कागजात) |
| दस्तखत · नाम · पद |
2. Circular (परिपत्र)
A circular is a letter with the same content sent to many offices, sections or staff at once, usually to give instructions, information or policy guidance from a higher office.
- Example: the Ministry sends a circular to all district offices about new office hours or a new procedure.
- Parts: letterhead, पत्र संख्या (letter number), चलानी नं. (dispatch number), date, “परिपत्र” heading, subject, to (all concerned offices), body, signature, and बोधार्थ (copy for information).
- It is binding when it gives instructions within the issuing office’s authority.
3. Order and “Tok” (तोक आदेश)
- तोक is a short written instruction by the competent officer on a received letter or file, stating who should handle it and what to do, for example “प्रशासन शाखामा पेश गर्ने” or “आवश्यक कारबाहीका लागि”.
- आदेश (order) is a formal written instruction or decision of an authority that must be followed, such as a transfer order or a work assignment order.
- A tok/order must be within the officer’s authority, clear, dated and signed.
4. Differences
| Basis | Notice (सूचना) | Circular (परिपत्र) | Order (तोक/आदेश) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Inform the public or a group | Same instruction or information to many offices/staff | Assign work or give a binding decision |
| Receiver | General public or specific group | Subordinate or related offices and staff | Specific section or person |
| Medium | Notice board, newspaper, website | Letter (paper or electronic) to each office | Written on file or letter, or a formal order letter |
| Binding? | Informative | Binding instructions within authority | Must be obeyed |
| Example | Vacancy notice | New office-hours circular | Transfer order; tok on a letter |
5. Sample formats
Notice (सूचना)
- Office name and address at the top.
- Title: सूचना, with date and reference number.
- Short message: what, who, when and where.
- Name and post of the issuing official.
Circular (परिपत्र)
- Office letterhead, reference number and date.
- Title: परिपत्र.
- Addressed to all subordinate offices or staff concerned.
- Instruction or information, often citing the decision or law it is based on.
- Signature of the authorised official, with a copy list (बोधार्थ).
6. Which document to use?
| Situation | Use |
|---|---|
| Informing the public about a vacancy or tender | Notice (सूचना) |
| Telling all district offices about a new procedure | Circular (परिपत्र) |
| A senior directing a junior to act on a file | Tok order (तोक आदेश) |
| A decision on a tippani | Order or decision written on the tippani |
7. How this topic is asked in the exam
Kharidar and Nayab Subba papers often ask the difference between a notice, a circular and an order, and sometimes ask candidates to draft a short notice or circular. Keep the format complete: office name, reference number, date, title, clear content and the signing official.
📌 Key points to remember
- Notice = public announcement (board, newspaper, website).
- Circular = same letter to many offices or staff at once, usually from a higher office.
- Tok = short instruction on a letter or file about who handles it; order = binding formal instruction.
- All must have date, number, subject, signature and designation.
Test yourself: Notice (सूचना), Circular (परिपत्र) and Order (तोक आदेश)
15 questions check what you read about Notice (सूचना), Order and “Tok” (तोक आदेश) and Differences.