📢 Associate Officers’ Service Efficiency Bar Examinations 2025-II (2026) – Applications Open
The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has announced the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Efficiency Bar Examinations in the Associate Officers’ Service – 2025-II (2026).
These examinations are applicable to officers in Grade III, Grade II and Grade I of the Associate Officers’ Service. Applications are accepted online only through the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka.
🏛️ Relevant Positions
The examination notice is relevant to the following positions:
🔹 Development Assistant
🔹 Planning & Financial Assistant
🔹 Management Assistant
📅 Important Application Dates
🟢 Applications Open: 21 September 2026 at 9.00 a.m.
🔴 Applications Close: 19 October 2026 at 9.00 p.m.
📍 Examination: January 2027
📍 Examination Centre: Colombo only
Applications must be submitted online through the “Online Applications – Recruitment Exams / E.B. Exams” section under “Our Services” on the Department of Examinations website.
⚠️ Applicants are responsible for any difficulties or delays that occur when submitting applications before the closing date.
📝 Examination Categories
There are three Efficiency Bar Examinations for Associate Officers:
1️⃣ 1st Efficiency Bar Examination
For Grade III Officers
Subjects:
- 📘 Office Methods
- 📊 Basic Accounting
2️⃣ 2nd Efficiency Bar Examination
For Grade II Officers
Subjects:
- 📚 Establishments Code and Procedural Rules
- 💰 Financial Regulations and Public Procurement Process
3️⃣ 3rd Efficiency Bar Examination
For Grade I Officers
Subjects:
- 🌍 General Knowledge
- 🎓 Regulations and Directions on General Education in Sri Lanka
The examination structure and minimum passing marks are specified separately for each examination. Each listed subject carries 100 marks, has a 2-hour duration, and requires a minimum of 40 marks to pass.
📚 Examination Subjects & Syllabus
📝 1st Efficiency Bar Examination – Grade III
Office Methods
This subject covers basic knowledge of office systems used in government offices, practical application of that knowledge, understanding official documents, presenting opinions and observations through clear and concise notes, and drafting letters according to given instructions.
Basic Accounting
This covers an understanding of basic accounts and financial control books used in government offices.
📖 2nd Efficiency Bar Examination – Grade II
Establishments Code and Procedural Rules
The syllabus includes specified chapters of the Establishments Code and Procedural Rules.
Financial Regulations and Public Procurement Process
The syllabus covers Chapters I–V of the Financial Regulations together with the Public Procurement Process.
🎓 3rd Efficiency Bar Examination – Grade I
General Knowledge
This covers understanding gained on contemporary changes in the development of education.
Regulations and Directions on General Education in Sri Lanka
This covers circulars, manuals and other publications issued by the Ministry of Education.
💳 Examination Fees
🆓 First-time candidates: No examination fee is charged.
💰 Subsequent attempts: Rs. 250 per subject.
The examination fee, where applicable, must be paid using the payment methods provided through the online system, including:
- 💳 Bank credit card
- 💳 Bank debit card with internet transaction facility
- 🏦 Online banking / Flex App of Bank of Ceylon
- 🏦 Any branch of Bank of Ceylon
The exact examination fee must be paid. Applications involving an incorrect payment amount may be rejected. Examination fees are not refundable or transferable to another examination.
💻 How to Apply
Applicants should:
- 🌐 Visit the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka website.
- 🔎 Select “Online Applications – Recruitment Exams / E.B. Exams” under “Our Services.”
- 📥 Download and carefully read the application instructions.
- ✍️ Complete the online application in English.
- 📤 Submit the application online.
- 🖨️ Send the printed application by registered post as instructed.
- 📱 Check the SMS or email notification confirming whether the application has been accepted.
Incomplete applications and applications received after the closing date will be rejected without notification. Any amendment made after obtaining the printed copy will not be considered a valid amendment.
🪪 Identification Requirements
Candidates must prove their identity to the satisfaction of the examination invigilator.
The following documents are accepted:
🪪 National Identity Card
🛂 Valid Passport
🚗 Valid Sri Lankan Driving Licence
Candidates must also comply with the identification requirements at the examination hall and must not use electronic communication devices.
🎫 Admission Cards
Admission Cards will be issued online to candidates who have submitted duly completed applications, paid the applicable examination fee and meet the relevant requirements.
Candidates must bring their Admission Card with the required signature certification to the examination hall. Candidates will not be permitted to sit the examination without an Admission Card.
A notice regarding the issue of Admission Cards will be published on the Department of Examinations website, and applicants will also receive an SMS.
🗣️ Examination Medium
The examination will be conducted in Sinhala and Tamil medium only.
Candidates may sit the examination in the medium of their education or in the official language. All question papers must be answered in the selected medium.
⚠️ The language medium selected in the application cannot be changed later.
✍️ Signature Certification
The applicant’s signature must be certified on both the application form and the Admission Card.
The signature should be certified by the Head of the Institution or an officer authorized by the Head of the Institution.
🏢 Duty Leave & Travelling Expenses
Officers who receive Admission Cards issued by the Commissioner General of Examinations must be granted duty leave by their Heads of Departments.
However, travelling expenses will not be paid.
⚠️ Important Notes for Applicants
🔸 Complete the online application before the deadline.
🔸 Carefully follow the official application instructions.
🔸 Keep a printed copy of the submitted application.
🔸 Keep the payment receipt where applicable.
🔸 Make sure the correct examination fee is paid.
🔸 Select the examination language carefully because it cannot be changed later.
🔸 Ensure the required signature certification is completed.
🔸 Bring the Admission Card to the examination hall.
🔸 Candidates are responsible for problems caused by late or unsuccessful submission of applications.
Please read the official Gazette notification and application instructions carefully before applying.
📌 Quick Summary
| 📋 Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Ministry | Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education |
| 🏢 Conducting Authority | Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka |
| 📚 Examination | Associate Officers’ Service Efficiency Bar Examinations 2025-II (2026) |
| 👥 Grades | Grade III, Grade II and Grade I |
| 🗓️ Applications Open | 21 September 2026 – 9.00 a.m. |
| ⏰ Closing Date | 19 October 2026 – 9.00 p.m. |
| 📅 Examination | January 2027 |
| 📍 Centre | Colombo only |
| 💰 First Attempt | No examination fee |
| 💵 Subsequent Attempts | Rs. 250 per subject |
| 🗣️ Medium | Sinhala / Tamil |
| 💻 Application | Online |
📥 Official Gazette PDF
The complete official Gazette notification contains the detailed examination rules, application procedure, payment instructions, examination syllabus and other conditions.
👉 Applicants are strongly advised to read the complete Gazette notification before submitting their applications.
📌 Application Deadline: 19 October 2026 at 9.00 p.m.
🔔 Share this notice with eligible Associate Officers and colleagues who may need this information.
Source: Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Part I: Section (IIA), dated 18 September 2026.
📢 Gazette Advertisement – Sinhala Preview
📢 Gazette Advertisement – English Preview
Source – Gazette (2026.09.18)
