PSC Candidates Left in Suspense, Practical Round on Hold
Biratnagar — High Court Nullifies Koshi Province PSC’s Officer-Level Vacancy Decision
The High Court in Biratnagar has invalidated the decision made by the Koshi Province Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding the number of posts announced for Officer Level (7th Level) recruitment.
Despite already conducting the fourth phase of written exams for 765 candidates for 22 officer-level posts, the Commission has been unable to publish the results due to the court’s order.
The High Court ruled that the PSC’s method of calculating quotas based on the number of vacant posts was in violation of the “Province Civil Service Act, 2079.” The joint bench of Justices Sridhara Kumari Pudasaini and Keshav Prasad Bastola issued a mandamus order on Chaitra 25, 2081 BS (April 2025), nullifying the PSC’s decision dated Asoj 10, 2081 BS, and instructing the Commission to recalculate quotas based on the total sanctioned positions, as required by the Act.
The Commission has since filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s decision. Until the Supreme Court issues a verdict, the results of the final stage of the examination cannot be published, according to PSC Information Officer Kedarnath Adhikari. He stated that only after the Supreme Court’s order will the Commission proceed with publishing results and conducting computer tests and interviews.
The Koshi Province government had originally requested the PSC to fill 22 vacant Officer Level positions. Based on this request, the Commission published notices on Asoj 30 (October 2024) under advertisement numbers 73(A), 73(B), and 75, calling for applications through seniority and performance evaluation, internal competition, and open competition.
However, the process was legally challenged by eight civil servants, including Shantiram Rimal, who are currently employed in the sixth level of the provincial administration service. They filed a writ petition at the High Court, contesting the legality of the recruitment notice.
