General Info - Government of Nepal

Nepal’s government is a republic. In response to major pro-democracy protests, Nepal adopted a new constitution in 1990 that established a multiparty democracy but preserved the king’s status as chief of state. The 1990 constitution ended nearly 30 years of absolute monarchy in which the king dominated Nepal’s politics and political parties were banned. Nepal has universal suffrage beginning at the age of 18. In 2008 a newly elected legislature convened to write a new constitution and as one of its first acts abolished the constitutional monarchy and declared Nepal a republic.

A Executive and Legislature

Prior to 2006 executive powers were vested in the king and a council of ministers, composed of a prime minister and other ministers. In 2006 parliament forced the monarch to give up absolute power and rendered him largely a figurehead. An interim constitution assigned most of the king’s powers to the prime minister, the leader of the majority party in parliament. After general elections in April 2008, a constituent assembly was elected to draft a new constitution. The assembly decided not to retain the monarchy and declared Nepal a republic. The king was invited to remain in Nepal as a private citizen.
Nepal’s 1990 constitution established a bicameral (two-chamber) legislature consisting of a house of representatives and a national council. The House of Representatives had 205 members directly elected by the voters. The National Council had 60 members: 10 nominated by the king, 35 elected by the House of Representatives, and 15 elected by an electoral council. Members of parliament served five-year terms unless the parliament is dissolved earlier upon recommendation of the prime minister. The constituent assembly elected in April 2008 was expected to take two years to approve a new constitution.

B Judiciary

The judiciary is made up of three tiers: the Supreme Court, appellate courts, and district courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court. The chief justice was appointed by the king on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, but that power was granted to the prime minister in 2006. Other judges of the three courts are appointed on the recommendation of the Judicial Council.

C Political Parties

Major political parties include the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist); the Nepali Congress Party (NCP), a reform-oriented centrist party; and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), or CPN-UML.

D Social Services

Nepal has significant health care problems and receives aid through foreign agencies and religious groups. Diseases and chronic infections have been particularly prevalent in rural areas, including goiter, tuberculosis, and dysentery. Cases of leprosy continue to exist in some areas. Another chronic problem in Nepal is malnutrition, which is particularly severe in hill and mountain regions where people often experience food shortages.

E Defense

In 2006 Nepal’s defense force consisted of an army of about 69,000. There is no air force, although the army operates a small military wing. Military service is not compulsory.

F International Organizations

Nepal has been a member of the United Nations since 1955 and participates in several international agencies such as the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO); the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the World Health Organization; and the Economic Council for Asia and the Far East. In 1961 Nepal became a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank). Kathmandu is the permanent seat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.