Officer Exam In Nepal
Introduction
The Public Service Commission (Lok Sewa Aayog) conducts Integrated and Unified Examinations to select Section Officers (Sakha Adhikrit – शाखा अधिकृत) (Gazetted Third Class Officer – Non-Technical) for various government services, including:
- Foreign Affairs
- General Administration
- Auditing
- Parliamentary Service
The exam plan is based on the Integrated and Unified Examination System. It is divided into two parts: the Written Examination (first and second stages) and the Final Stage Examination ( Skill Test, Group Test, and interview).
There are extra examinations (both in the written and final exams) for candidates also competing for foreign services.
Written Examination
Exam Structure & Marks Distribution
| Written Examination | Full Marks |
| Stage-I | 100 |
| Stage-II(Except for Foreign Affairs Service) | 300 |
| Stage-III(For Foreign Affairs Service) | 400 |
Based on the Integrated & Unified Examination System, the content of the first, second, and third papers/subjects for all groups of the services above will be common and mandatory.
he open and inclusive group examinations for all the mentioned services and their sub-groups will be conducted through a common question paper.
The medium of language for the written examination will be Nepali, English, or both. However, as per Table (3) for the Nepal Foreign Affairs Service, the medium will be English for the additional subjects.
Final Stage
| Final Stage | Full Marks |
| Skill Test, Group Test, and Interview (Except for Foreign Affairs Service) | 70 |
| Skill Test, Group Test, and Interview (For Foreign Affairs Service) | 80 |
Written Examination: First Stage (Preliminary Examination)
For objective multiple-choice questions, 20% of the marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unanswered questions.
Any calculator will not be allowed in exams with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
The first paper or the Administrative Aptitude Test is designed to assess candidates’ foundational skills and knowledge through an objective examination system.
This paper comprises 100 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 1 mark, making the full marks a total of 100.
To pass this test, candidates must secure at least 45 marks. The examination is strictly timed, with a duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Administrative Aptitude Test
- Full Marks: 100
- Pass Marks: 45
| Part | Subject | Marks | Marks Distribution |
| i. | General Awareness | 50 | 50 Questions *1 Mark |
| ii. | Aptitude Test | 30 | 30 Questions *1 Mark |
| iii. | English Language Competence Test | 20 | 20 Questions *1 Mark |
Written Examination- Second Stage (Main Examination)
Only candidates selected from the first phase of the written examination will be eligible to participate in the second phase.
- Examination System: Subjective
- Full Marks: 100 each
- Pass Marks: 40 each
- Duration: 3 hours each
For subjective questions, a long question or two or more parts of a single question or two or more short notes under a single question may be asked. The number of questions and the weight of marks for the exam will be provided in the relevant subject/paper as much as possible.
| Paper | Subject | Marks Distribution |
| Second | Governance System | 10 Questions *10 Marks |
| Third | Contemporary Issues | 10 Questions *10 Marks |
| Fourth (For foreign affairs service only) | Service-Related Subject | 10 Questions *10 Marks |
For Foreign Affairs Service Only
- Examination System: Subjective
- Full Marks: 100 each
- Pass Marks: 40 each
- Duration: 3 hours each
Paper | Subject |
| Extra-Paper I | English Language |
| Extra-Paper II | Foreign Policy and International Relation |
The written examination result will be published based on the combined total marks of 50% of the marks obtained in the first phase and the marks obtained in the second phase.
Final Stage – Skill Test, Group Test & Interview
Only candidates who pass the written exam qualify for the Final Stage, which consists of:
| Component | Marks | Exam Type | Duration |
| IT Skill Test | 10 | Practical | 20 minutes |
| Group Test | 10 | Individual Presentation in Group | 30 minutes |
| Interview (Except Foreign Affairs) | 50 | Oral | – |
| Interview (Foreign Affairs) | 60 | Oral | – |
IT Skill Test Details
| Task | Marks | Duration |
| Devanagari Typing | 2.5 | 5 minutes |
| English Typing | 2.5 | 5 minutes |
| Others (Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Internet) | 5 | 10 minutes |
Final results are based on combined marks from the Written Examination and Final Stage.
Eligibility Criteria
Minimum Education Qualification
| Service | Required Qualification |
| General Administration & Foreign Affairs | Bachelor’s Degree (Any Field) |
| Revenue & Accounts Group | Bachelor’s in Management, Commerce, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Public Administration |
| Judicial Service | Bachelor’s in Law |
| Auditing Service | Bachelor’s in Management, Commerce, or Business Administration |
| Human Rights Service | Bachelor’s Degree (Any Field) |
Age Limit
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
| General Candidates | 18 | 35 |
| Female & Disabled Candidates | 18 | 40 |
| Permanent Civil Servants | No Age Limit | – |
How to Apply for Section Officer exam? (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Visit the Lok Sewa Aayog Official Website or Loksewa Tayari App
- Check the latest vacancy notice for officer positions
- Prepare required documents for application
- Fill out the online application form
- Appear for the Written Exams and Interview
Career Growth of Section Officer
The career growth of a Section Officer is based on experience, performance, and passing the required Lok Sewa Aayog exams. The typical promotion ladder is as follows:
| Position | Level |
|---|---|
| Section Officer (Adhikrit) | 6th Level |
| Under Secretary (Upa-Sachiv) | 9th Level |
| Joint Secretary (Saha-Sachiv) | 11th Level |
| Secretary (Sachiv) | Highest Level |
FAQS
1. What is the minimum qualification required for the Section Officer?
(A) Civil Service
Candidates must not be disqualified under Section 10 of the Civil Service Act, 2049 (1993).
They must meet the minimum educational qualifications specified under Rule 15 of the Civil Service Regulations, 2050 (1993).
Educational qualifications for different services:
- Nepal Foreign Service & Nepal Administrative Service (Revenue & General Administration Group):
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized educational institution. - Nepal Administrative Service (Accounts Group):
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Management, Commerce, or Business Administration OR
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Public Administration from a recognized institution. - Nepal Judicial Service (Judicial, Law, and Government Attorney Group):
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized institution. - Nepal Auditing Service:
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business Administration, or Commerce from a recognized institution.
(B) National Human Rights Service
Candidates must not be disqualified under Rule 14 of the National Human Rights Employee Service, Terms, and Facilities Regulations, 2072 (2015).
They must meet the minimum educational qualification specified under Rule 12.
- For National Human Rights Service (Human Rights Officer Position):
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
2. What is the age limit for the Section Officer?
Candidates must be at least 18 years old and must not exceed 35 years of age.
For female and disabled candidates, the upper age limit is 40 years.
For permanent civil service employees, the age limit provisions do not apply.
3. What is the monthly salary of a Section Officer?
- Basic salary scale: NPR 43,690
- Grade level: 5
- Grade increment rate: NPR 1,456
- Total monthly salary: NPR 50,972
4. What is the examination process for the Section Officer?
The Public Service Commission of Nepal conducts a combined and integrated examination for the position of Section Officer (and equivalent positions) in various services, including Foreign Service, General Administration, Auditing, and Parliamentary Service.
The examination follows an integrated system and is conducted in two phases:
- Written Examination (First & Second Phase)
- Final Stage Examination (Skill Test, Group Test, and Interview)
Written Examination
The written examination is divided as follows:
First Phase (Preliminary Examination)
- Full Marks: 100
- Exam Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Time Duration: 1 hour
- Negative Marking: 20% deduction for each wrong answer
Subjects & Marks Distribution:
- General Awareness: 50 questions * 1 mark
- Aptitude Test: 30 questions * 1 mark
- English Language Proficiency Test: 20 questions * 1 mark
Second Phase (Main Examination)
Only candidates who pass the first phase can take the second phase.
The main exam includes subject-related questions.
- General Administration, Auditing, and Parliamentary Service: Total Marks: 300
- Foreign Affairs Service: Total Marks: 400
Each service includes three compulsory papers, written in Nepali, English, or both languages. Additional English papers are required for the Foreign Affairs Service.
Second Phase Paper-wise Breakdown:
- Second Paper (Governance System): 10 questions * 10 marks
- Third Paper (Contemporary Issues): 10 questions * 10 marks
- Fourth Paper (For Foreign Service Only): 10 questions * 10 marks
Additional Papers for Foreign Service:
- Additional Paper I: English Language
- Additional Paper II: Foreign Policy & International Relations
- Each paper: 10 questions * 10 marks
Final Stage
Only candidates who pass the written examination will proceed to the final stage, which includes a Skill Test, Group Test, and Interview.
Interviews for Foreign Service and other services are conducted separately.
Final Stage Examination Structure:
- Skill Test
- Full Marks: 10
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Group Test
- Full Marks: 10
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Interview
- For General Candidates: 50 Marks
- For Foreign Service Candidates: 60 Marks
Skill Test Breakdown:
- Word Processing: 2 marks
- Electronic Spreadsheet: 1 mark
- Presentation Software: 1 mark
- Basic Windows, Email, and Internet Usage: 1 mark
Final Result
The final result is based on the total marks obtained in:
- Written Examination
- Final Stage (Skill Test, Group Test, and Interview)
Conclusion
The Section Officer (Sakha Adhikrit) Exam is a prestigious opportunity to enter Nepal’s civil service. By understanding the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility, and selection process, candidates can effectively prepare and increase their chances of success.
Stay updated with the latest Nayab Subba vacancies and exam notices by following our website and Loksewa Tayari App.
Best of luck with your preparation!
