Applicants should:

1. Be Nepali nationals
2. Be between the ages of 30 and 45 (both inclusive) as of April 1^st, 2026.(Should be born between April 2^nd, 1980 and April 1^st, 1996)
3. Have a master’s degree (including universities in Nepal).
4. Have at least 5 years of work experience in Civil Service at the time of application.
5. Be gazetted civil servants governed by Civil Service Act of Nepal, (Under Secretary and above) currently employed in the following organizations
   • All ministries
   • All agencies under ministries
   • All constitutional bodies
   • All other institutions and authorities
   • All courts
     or civil servants (Level 9 and above) originally recruited by the federal government and deputed/adjusted to 7 provincial and 753 local governments.
6. Should returned to and served for the country for certain years (involving actual work and/or research preparation) set by the Civil Service Act after completion of the Master’s course.
7. Be in good health.
8. Have sufficient English language ability to pursue a doctoral degree.
9. Should have published one or more peer-reviewed paper/s, in principle.＊1
10. Not be currently serving in the military.
11. Not have previously acquired a doctoral degree after studying abroad on a scholarship awarded by the Government of Nepal or any other development partners. Not be currently receiving, or planning to receive, another scholarship to acquire a master or doctoral degree through the assistance by the Government of Nepal or any other development partners.
12. Not be receiving or applying for any other scholarship to acquire a master’s or doctoral degree through assistance from the Government of Nepal or any other development partners.＊2
     
    *The Civil Service Act of 2049 will remain applicable for the selection process of this year’s intake, even if a new Civil Service Act comes into effect prior to the JDS application deadline.

    *JDS Programme values diversity and inclusion. Competent women, Dalit, Janajatis, Madhesi, other minority groups and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.

    *1 If you do not have published any peer-reviewed paper yet, you should have a concrete plan to publish one in near future.
    *2 JDS Programme will request applicants to declare whether you would be applying for another scholarship before the final interview again.