The government is preparing to appoint ambassadors through open competition for the first time, signalling a possible shift in how Nepal selects its diplomatic representatives.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has informed senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that some ambassadorial positions will soon be filled through a public application process. Officials say Prime Minister Balen Shah has already agreed to the plan, although the government has yet to release a detailed framework.
Under current practice, ambassadors are chosen either from career diplomats within the foreign service or through political appointments recommended by ruling parties. Existing guidelines require at least half of ambassadorial posts to be filled by career diplomats, while the remaining seats can go to political nominees. However, ministry officials are reportedly pushing for a larger share of appointments from the professional diplomatic service.
According to officials, the proposed open competition would require applicants to meet criteria related to age, work experience, and academic qualifications. Publications, research work, and policy writing may also be considered during selection. Advertisements for applications are expected as early as next week.
The move comes as the government faces a growing number of vacant diplomatic posts. Nepal currently has no ambassadors in 17 missions, including major countries such as India, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. More vacancies are expected in the coming months, potentially giving the government the chance to appoint 24 ambassadors at once.
Former diplomats say open competition could improve transparency, though it may not automatically guarantee qualified appointments. The discussion is also tied to broader debates over restructuring diplomatic missions and reducing government spending on embassies abroad.