The Examination Yuan (traditional Chinese: 考試院; pinyin: Kǎoshì Yuàn) is in charge of validating the qualification of civil servants in the Republic of China. It is one of the five government branches ("yuans") of the ROC government. As a special branch of government under the Three Principles of the People, it may (retrospectively) be compared with the European Personnel Selection Office of the European Union or the Office of Personnel Management of the United States of America. Founded by Chinese nationalists at the beginning of the 20th century, the Examination Yuan is based on the old Imperial examination system used in premodern China. Its first minister was Tai Chi-tao.
