The Cabinet recently approved two sets of regulations for the education sector: the Educational Consultancy, Language and Preparation Classes Regulations 2026 and the Educational Programmes under Foreign University Affiliation Regulations 2026. This move marks the first time that the government has introduced a comprehensive legal framework for these sectors, previously governed by loose guidelines.

Among the safeguards for students, consultancies are now legally responsible for the advice they provide, resulting in hefty compensation if a student is stranded abroad or defrauded due to misleading information. This rule will likely eliminate the predatory practices that have plagued the sector for years. The requirement for consultancies to conduct all transactions through the banking system will increase financial transparency, while classifying consultancies into grades based on student outcomes will help parents and students make informed decisions.

The focus on quality in foreign-affiliated colleges is equally commendable. The requirement for these institutions to obtain Quality Assurance and Accreditation from the University Grants Commission ensures that local education meets international standards. Additionally, enforcing scholarships for 10 to 20 percent of students will make high-quality education more accessible to the underprivileged.

However, certain provisions in the new law are overly punitive and risk stifling competition. The requirement for a Rs2.5 million security deposit imposes a heavy financial burden that could force small, ethical consultancies to close, inadvertently creating a market monopoly for a few large players. The government should adopt a tiered deposit system based on agency size to protect small businesses.

Similarly, the global ranking requirement presents an unrealistic challenge. Requiring parent universities to rank within the world’s top 1,000 disqualifies many reputable, specialised institutions and threatens most existing foreign-affiliated colleges in Nepal. Forcing these institutions to shut down within three years will disrupt thousands of students and limit academic variety. Instead of chasing broad institutional rankings, the government should evaluate the specific accreditation of individual degree programmes.

The ban on foreign-led education fairs is equally concerning. Restricting these vital info-hubs to force ‘Study in Nepal’ initiatives will only drive students toward unverified online sources or predatory agents. Instead, the government should allow these fairs under the condition that they are co-organised with licensed local partners—ensuring oversight without choking the flow of information.

Infrastructure and governance requirements under the new rules also require a more practical approach. Forcing existing colleges to buy expensive urban real estate within 10 years will inevitably drive up tuition fees. The government should instead allow long-term leases from stable entities as a viable alternative. Furthermore, leaving college regulation under the Ministry of Education is a missed opportunity. Transferring this authority to the University Grants Commission would leverage actual academic expertise and foster a professional, less political environment.

While the push for accountability and financial transparency is a necessary step, the rules must be refined to avoid destroying the very institutions they seek to improve. If the government keeps these harsh regulations in place without changes, it will end up hurting the people it wants to protect. Small, honest agencies will be forced to close, tuition costs will skyrocket for families, and students will lose access to reliable information about studying abroad. Good intentions do not justify a system that crushes smaller businesses and limits opportunities for young people.

The government cannot fix these problems by acting alone. It must sit down and engage in real dialogue with stakeholders. Only through a collaborative, flexible framework can Nepal balance strict oversight with business viability to truly elevate its educational landscape. Regulation should guide the education sector to get better, not trap it in unrealistic demands. If policymakers listen to the experts and soften these rules, they can create a fair, practical environment where local institutions thrive, and Nepali students get the high-quality choices they deserve.