Govt moves to reduce secretary-level posts as civil service restructuring gains momentum

KATHMANDU: The Nepal government has initiated a significant restructuring of its senior bureaucracy, with a recommendation from a committee led by Chief Secretary Suman Raj Aryal paving the way for the reduction of secretary-level positions across ministries.

The move comes as part of a broader effort to align the federal administrative structure following the government’s decision to reduce the number of ministries to 18. A five-member committee headed by the Chief Secretary was formed on Baisakh 30, 2083 BS (May 13, 2026) to recommend adjustments in the number of secretary posts and overall staffing requirements.

The existence of the committee was disclosed through Cabinet decisions made public on Thursday by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

Committee Formed Before Major Secretary Transfers

The revelation sheds light on the rationale behind a major reshuffle of secretaries carried out by the government during the third week of Jestha. At the time, five secretaries were transferred to the additional group under the Prime Minister’s Office, raising questions within the bureaucracy about the basis for the transfers.

Several ministries had been operating with two secretary-level positions. The committee reportedly recommended eliminating such arrangements and maintaining a single secretary in each ministry wherever possible.

The Cabinet subsequently implemented the recommendation, resulting in a reduction of secretary-level positions and a gradual downsizing of the upper administrative structure.

Secretary Numbers Continue to Decline

The restructuring has already begun to impact the size of Nepal’s top civil service cadre.

According to officials, vacancies created after the retirement of some secretaries have not been filled through promotions, reflecting the government’s intent to reduce the overall number of secretary positions rather than maintain previous staffing levels.

As a result, the number of secretaries has now fallen to 65, down from previous levels. Administrative officials indicate that the figure could decline by around another ten positions in the coming period as the restructuring process advances.

Push for Administrative Efficiency

The government’s latest move is part of a wider effort to streamline public administration, reduce duplication of responsibilities, and align human resources with the revised ministerial structure.

Policy experts have long argued that maintaining multiple secretary-level positions in a reduced number of ministries increases administrative costs and creates overlapping chains of command. The current restructuring is expected to contribute to a leaner bureaucracy and potentially lower government expenditure on senior administrative positions.

The Cabinet’s decision also signals a shift toward tighter personnel management at the highest levels of Nepal’s civil service, as the government seeks to improve governance efficiency, public sector productivity, and administrative accountability.

The reduction in secretary posts is likely to remain a key component of Nepal’s ongoing public administration reform agenda, particularly as the government continues efforts to optimize federal governance structures and control recurrent expenditure.