Explained
Two-wheeler ride-hailing drivers suspend protest, but fare dispute remains unresolved
By Sajana Baral inDrive has pledged to address drivers’ demands, but no agreement has been reached on a minimum fare as Nepal lacks a clear legal framework governing ride-hailing services.
Why Nepal is launching a system to track foreign nationals
By Sangam Prasain A rise in visa misuse, illegal activities and gaps in tourist data lead to enforcement of Foreign Nationals Management Information System—eight years after it was proposed.
Nepal’s two-tier airfares: Are they fair?
By Sangam Prasain The provision has helped keep domestic flight operators afloat. The system’s removal could lead to a loss of $75 million a year in foreign exchange.
What is a startup? The government has a definition now
By Krishana Prasain Here is how the government made the first amendment to the Industrial Enterprise Regulation to define startups.
Come December, international air travel liability limits are set to rise
By Sangam Prasain As per the convention Nepal adopted in 2018, the death or bodily injury limit will jump to $202,500 from $171,018.
Risks of JN.1 sub-variant of Covid-19
By Arjun Poudel Experts say even if the new sub-variant is not as lethal as previous variants, it could give a hard time for elderly people and those having underlying conditions.
The lure of Korean jobs among Nepali youths
By Prithivi Man Shrestha In 2008, a total of 31,525 Nepalis had applied for Korean language proficiency tests. The number has risen over five-fold in a decade and half since.
Why Kathmandu is visibly cleaner
By Arjun Poudel Several measures taken under Mayor Balendra Shah’s directive are starting to bear fruit.
All you need to know about Ncell dispute
By Prithvi Man Shrestha Telecom giant’s share sale is mired in controversy—for its low valuation, charges of poor investment climate and suspected bid to own company even after licence period.
How court laid the ground for same-sex marriage in Nepal
By Binod Ghimire Advocates who sought an interim order say they want a permanent solution through a revision to the Civil Code.
Can Nepal harness its huge hydropower potential?
By Prithvi Man Shrestha The government aims to produce over 28,000MW of electricity by 2035. But that requires massive resources.
Why Jajarkot earthquake is just a warning sign
By Binod Ghimire As tectonic pressure builds, quakes are unavoidable. More dangerous are poor structures and unpreparedness.
UN chief puts a spotlight on Nepal’s climate crisis
By Arjun Poudel The points raised by Antonio Guterres amplify the climate concerns of the country that has little contribution to global warming.
Idea behind family bench in courts
By Binod Ghimire Two dedicated benches at Kathmandu district court hear civil cases related to women, fast-track justice delivery.
Why deregulate Nepal’s fuel business
By Krishana Prasain Deregulating the petroleum industry and giving it to the private sector will make the business competitive, ultimately benefiting consumers, former secretary says.
Rising doctor-patient tensions threaten Nepal’s healthcare
By Arjun Poudel Agitating resident doctors agree to resume services following a six-point agreement with the government.
A strong dollar’s implications for Nepal
By Krishana Prasain The first impact is on the price of petroleum products, which sets off a chain reaction.
What’s the controversy surrounding the new education bill?
By Binod Ghimire The bill must be passed by both chambers of Parliament before it becomes law and replaces the Education Act-1971.
Budget delays at the local level: Reasons and repercussions
By Prithvi Man Shrestha Kanchanrup in Saptari has money in its treasury but no authorisation to spend even for dengue control.
Why proposed revisions to Criminal Code have courted controversy
By Binod Ghimire Critics say withdrawing cases from all tiers of court is an encroachment on the judiciary’s authority.
What does the MCC Nepal compact’s imminent entry into force entail?
By Prithvi Man Shrestha Political challenges are less pronounced but issues of land acquisition and right of way may still create hurdles.
The impending NHRC downgrade
By Binod Ghimire What to make of the imminent slide and how to bring the National Human Rights Commission back from the brink.
Why a hue and cry over Education Bill?
By Binod Ghimire Proposed rules aside, politicians are unlikely to go against interests of private schools that fund them, say experts.
Let them eat rice
By Sangam Prasain Nepal does not grow enough rice to feed its population, and without imports from India, the shortfall will be acute.
Nepali Congress leaders’ call for review of proportional election system creates buzz
By Binod Ghimire Provision misused since its introduction as leaders handpick candidates close to them.
Behind the prolonged absence of heads of House committees
By Binod Ghimire The committees are tasked with holding particular government agencies to account but for a lack of leadership, they have been ineffective.
Snakebite: Why the lethal touch is a growing challenge
By Arjun Poudel Study shows close to 3,000 people die from snakebites every year in the Tarai alone, many before reaching the hospital.
Constitutional agencies to implement federalism smoothly remain underused
By Tika R Pradhan After almost three years of having the requisite law, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held the first meeting of the National Coordination Council in Pokhara on June 30.
Do laws and institutions to preserve Nepal’s ancient monuments work?
By Anup Ojha Department of Archaeology, responsible for preventing breach of the law, is toothless. Observers say only by making it strong and independent can monuments be saved.
Do mayors have free rein?
By Anup Ojha Experts say constitutional spirit is for local unit chiefs to behave themselves, rather than others disciplining them.
Charting the successes and failures of Nepal’s immunisation campaign
By Arjun Poudel After 1816 Sugauli Treaty, prime minister Bhimsen Thapa sought British help for vaccination against smallpox.
How Nepal can sell 10,000MW power
By Prithvi Man Shrestha India has opened up an avenue but only if power and transmission projects in Nepal can go ahead side by side.
Why development projects in Nepal are seldom completed on time
By Prithvi Man Shrestha Poor budget implementation raises questions over the projects announced for the upcoming fiscal year as well.
Nepal’s reactive approach to dealing with disasters
By Arjun Poudel Among the most common are landslides, thunder strikes, flooding and outbreaks of water-borne and vector-borne diseases.
Justice delayed: Vacancies hamper three tiers of courts
By Binod Ghimire Top court not only lacks chief justice but has five of the 21 justice posts vacant. Lower courts are understaffed too.
How Nepalis’ vulnerability grows amid changing nature of cyber crimes
By Anup Ojha While the organised sector is impacted by cyber attacks, the effect of hackers on individuals is no less significant.
Nepali cricket sees fast-paced success. Why can’t stadium-building catch up?
By Prajwal Oli Infrastructure development lags even as successive governments make big promises.
Why has Nepal failed to establish consumer courts as mandated by law?
By Krishana Prasain As buyers don’t want to get into complex court cases, unscrupulous traders are emboldened, observers say.
What’s behind the decline in enrolment at Kathmandu University
By Binod Ghimire 122,000 got nod to study abroad in 2022. In 9 months this fiscal, 81,000 received permits.
Nepal has two main border points with China. But why does trade suffer?
By Krishana Prasain Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point had been closed for more than three years.
Behind births of fewer girls than boys
By Arjun Poudel Preference for sons, which leads to female foeticide, is among the suspected reasons.
Why gold price is setting new records
By Krishana Prasain Gold cost has more room to rise and could hit Rs120,000 a tola in Nepal, observers say.
A prolonged transitional justice process
By Binod Ghimire Lack of proper law is among several reasons obstructing the process, a major component of the peace accord.
Prospects and pitfalls of end of Nepal’s LDC status
By Prithvi Man Shrestha There is uncertainty around Nepal’s graduation into the ranks of ‘developing countries’ on November 24, 2026.
Why microfinance lending has been embroiled in controversies
By Prithvi Man Shrestha Borrowers cite anomalies like exorbitant interest rates for their failure to pay back loans.
Presidential elections in Nepal—past and present
By Nishan Khatiwada An overview of the upcoming election, which will pick republic Nepal’s third President, and its brief history.
The journey of private media in Nepal
By Nishan Khatiwada Currently, the online media are emerging at a rapid pace while the traditional private media are striving to retain their space.
Why is the government in a deep fiscal hole?
By Prithvi Man Shrestha The government has a target of collecting Rs1,403 billion in revenue in the current fiscal year.
Rabi Lamichhane and dual citizenship in Nepal
By Binod Ghimire No constitutional provision for dual citizenship, but state offers limited citizenship rights for non-resident Nepalis.
Aircraft age is just a number
By Sangam Prasain A well-maintained old aircraft has less time in the skies but it may be safe as a new one.