The Public Service Commission (PSC - Lok Sewa Aayog) has suggested that internal promotions up to the second class (Under-Secretary) should be restricted to the relevant service and group. The PSC proposed this change to the parliamentary committee while drafting the federal civil service law, noting that the current system allowing promotions from any service and group affects performance. PSC Chairman Madhav Prasad Regmi recommended this to the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives.
Chairman Regmi's suggestions were based on issues that must be included in the Civil Service Act and Regulations. The committee had invited PSC officials to provide input during discussions with stakeholders on the federal civil service bill. During this session, Chairman Regmi provided written suggestions for structural and legal reforms and the implementation of the PSC's recommendations.
Regmi stated in the committee, “The current system, which allows employees from any service to be promoted, could lead to a lack of specialized experience and affect performance. Therefore, making provisions in the internal competition advertisements for employees from the relevant service, group, and sub-group seems necessary.”
The Civil Service Act, 2049, and Regulations, 2050, currently allow employees from any service to be candidates in internal competitions up to the position of Under-Secretary. For the advertisement of Joint-Secretary positions, only employees from the relevant services can be candidates. The PSC suggested that the same restriction should apply to Under-Secretary positions.
The PSC also recommended eliminating the current provision that allows an employee to be a candidate in advertisements for the same position in multiple fields simultaneously. The PSC suggested that the existing law be amended so that employees can only be candidates in advertisements for the region where they are working as of the previous day. Additionally, the PSC recommended forming IT groups and sub-groups within various services and amending the law accordingly.
The PSC suggested improving the provisions related to experience and educational qualifications in the health services. The PSC recommended that the recruitment process for organized institutions be funded from the annual budget. Since the promulgation of Nepal's constitution, the PSC has been responsible for conducting exams for recruitment in security agencies and organized institutions. The PSC suggested that exam costs, currently borne by the respective offices, should be covered by the annual budget to improve budget management, auditing, and the PSC's performance.
Chairman Regmi suggested creating a dedicated structure for university recruitment. Although the PSC currently conducts some exams at the request of universities, it does not have full jurisdiction, and Regmi recommended structural improvements. He proposed either bringing exam conduct under the PSC’s authority or creating a new structure.
Regmi suggested forming a separate University Service Commission with a unified responsibility structure for all universities. This commission would handle recruitment, selection, and recommendations for all universities.
Regmi also urged for the immediate issuance of the federal civil service law in accordance with court decisions. He highlighted that long-standing issues with classification and appointment rules in Nepal Economic Planning and Statistics Service, Nepal Administration Service, Nepal Education Service, Engineering Service, Nepal Agriculture Service, and others need to be updated. He also stressed the immediate need to update the Nepal Health Service Act and Regulations.
Chairman Regmi emphasized the need for additional investment in physical infrastructure to enhance the PSC's performance. He stated that some PSC offices require buildings with examination halls. He highlighted the urgent need for examination halls with a minimum capacity of 500 candidates in offices led by Joint-Secretary level officials and 200 candidates in offices led by Under-Secretary level officials.
Regmi pointed out that the federal civil service law has not been amended for a long time since the promulgation of the constitution, causing difficulties in service operations based on outdated laws. He called for significant changes in the overall recruitment policy and the need for a separate budget to establish an integrated data management center for the PSC. He acknowledged that technological challenges have increased data security issues and mentioned that a budget of five crore rupees is necessary to build a separate structure for the center.
Lok Sewa Aayog PSC