The Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) conducts the Nagaland Civil Services Examination for recruitment to various administrative positions in Nagaland. The recruitment process includes 3 stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Mains Examination
- Interview / Personality Test
Stage I: Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of 1 (one) paper of objective type (MCQ with OMR Answer Sheet) carrying a maximum of 200 marks.
| Feature | Details |
| Type of Paper | Objective Type (MCQ with OMR Answer Sheet) |
| Number of Papers | 1 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Subject | General Studies |
This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only. The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit. The number of candidates to be admitted to the Main Examination shall be fixed as per provisions laid down in the recruitment rules.
Prelims Syllabus – General Studies
- General Science: General appreciation and understanding of science, including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well-educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific discipline.
- History: Broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic, and political aspects, social and cultural heritage of India, emphasising unity in diversity.
- General Mental Ability Test: Analysis of classified data, logical and behavioural reasoning, analogies, basic arithmetic, numerical ability, and basic concept of computers.
- Current Events: Latest developments on all the fields detailed above, including science and technology and environmental awareness.
- Note: Basic Science including basic numerics (numbers and their relationships, orders of magnitude, etc.) and Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.) shall be of Class X level.
Stage II: Mains Examination
The Mains Examination consists of 3 descriptive papers.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper I | General English | 200 |
| Paper II | General Studies – I (Objective) | 200 |
| Paper III | General Studies – II (Descriptive) | 200 |
| Total | 600 |
Mains Syllabus
Paper I: General English
This paper covers topics such as:
- Essay Writing (on topics such as Crisis management, Social problems, Analysis and solutions, Current events of national and international importance, Current events relating to the State of Nagaland) – (50 × 2 = 100 marks)
- Comprehension and Grammar
Paper II: General Studies – I (Objective Paper)
This paper covers the following topics:
- Modern history of India and Indian culture
- Current events of national and international importance
- Statistical analysis, graphs, and diagrams
- Basic and everyday science
- Nagaland in all aspects
Explanatory Notes on Topics:
- Modern history of India and Indian culture will cover the broad history of the country from about the middle of the nineteenth century (advent of European invasion) and would include questions on Gandhi and Nehru.
- Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams will include exercises to test the candidate’s ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical, and diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies and limitations therein.
- Questions on basic and everyday science will cover matters of everyday observation and experience of a modern person.
General information on Nagaland will also be asked.
Paper III: General Studies – II (Descriptive Paper)
This paper covers the following topics:
- Indian polity and Public Administration – including questions on the Constitution, administration and political system in India
- Indian economy and geography
Nagaland administration will cover topics in general administration like organisational structure, local bodies, functions, control, social welfare-oriented programmes, etc.
Note: General Studies Paper-II will have different segments of questions ranging from 2 (two) marks to 20 (twenty) marks.
Stage III: Interview / Personality Test
The Interview/Personality Test is the final stage of the NPSC-NCS recruitment process.
| Feature | Details |
| Total Marks | 75 |
| Purpose | Assess mental calibre, personality, communication, and general awareness |
Candidates’ overall personality, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and general awareness are evaluated. The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of the candidate. In broad terms, this is an assessment of not only the intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs, including knowledge of customs, manners, and dialects of Nagaland.
Some of the qualities to be judged are: mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, logical exposition, balance of judgements, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, and intellectual and moral integrity.
The marks obtained in the interview (out of 75) are added to the Mains marks (out of 600) for the final merit ranking (out of 675).
Marks Distribution
| Stage | Marks | Counted for Merit? |
| Preliminary Examination | 200 | No (screening only) |
| Mains Examination | 600 | Yes |
| Interview / Personality Test | 75 | Yes |
| Grand Total (Merit List) | 675 |