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:

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.
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 |
This paper covers topics such as:
This paper covers the following topics:
Explanatory Notes on Topics:
General information on Nagaland will also be asked.
This paper covers the following topics:
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.
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).
| 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 |