Efficiency Bar

Overview

The Efficiency Bar (EB) examination is a mandatory examination within Sri Lanka's public service that an officer in a given grade must pass to proceed beyond a specific salary step in that grade, acting as a checkpoint on continued incremental salary progression rather than a promotion exam in itself. Different services and grades set their own Efficiency Bar syllabus, administered by the Department of Examinations on behalf of the relevant ministry or department.

Who can apply

Serving public officers who have reached the salary step in their grade at which an Efficiency Bar examination is required, as set out in that service's establishment code or scheme of recruitment.

Exam pattern

Content and format are specific to the service and grade — commonly a written examination covering regulations, financial and administrative procedures (such as the Establishments Code and Financial Regulations), and subject matter relevant to the officer's role.

How to apply

Officers apply through their own department or ministry, following the internal nomination and registration procedure for Efficiency Bar examinations administered by the Department of Examinations, rather than applying directly as an external candidate.

After the exam

Officers who pass the Efficiency Bar examination for their grade are permitted to continue salary increments beyond the bar point; officers who do not pass are generally held at that salary step until they pass.

Preparation tips

Because content is specific to the officer's own service and grade rather than one common national syllabus, studying the specific circular and syllabus issued for that grade's Efficiency Bar examination, including the Establishments Code and Financial Regulations where relevant, is the standard preparation approach.