KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interim order directing the government to establish 45 years as the age limit for individuals joining the health service sector at the officer level.

During a hearing of a writ petition filed by the Nepal Medical Association (NMA), the apex court issued the directive on Thursday.

Justice Sapana Pradan Malla presided over the bench and also issued a show-cause order against the government.

The current provision stipulates that candidates appointed as officers in the health service sector must be over 21 years and under 45 years old.

However, recent announcements from local, provincial, and certain institutional levels have set the age limit for officer-level vacancies at 35 years.

In response, the association filed a case arguing that these announcements contradicted existing laws and regulations.