Nepal's Constitution of 2015 with Amendments through 2016

148 Pages·2017·0.67 MB·English

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constituteproject.org
Nepal's Constitution of 2015
with Amendments through 2016
Subsequently amended
This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the Comparative
Constitutions Project, and distributed on constituteproject.org.
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Table of contents
Preamble .............................................................................10
PART 1. Preliminary ...................................................................10
1. Constitution as the fundamental law .....................................................10
2. Sovereignty and state authority .........................................................10
3. Nation .............................................................................10
4. State of Nepal .......................................................................11
5. National interest .....................................................................11
6. Language of the nation ................................................................11
7. Language of of�cial transaction ......................................................... 11
8. National �ag ........................................................................11
9. National anthem, etc. .................................................................11
Part 2. Citizenship .................................................................... 12
10. Not to be denied of citizenship .........................................................12
11. To be deemed citizen of Nepal .........................................................12
12. Citizenship based on descent and gender identity ..........................................12
13. Acquisition, re-acquisition and termination of citizenship ....................................13
14. Non-resident Nepali citizenship may be granted ...........................................13
15. Other provisions related to citizenship of Nepal ........................................... 13
PART 3. Fundamental Rights and Duties ...............................................13
16. Right to live with dignity ..............................................................13
17. Right to Freedom ................................................................... 13
18. Right to equality ....................................................................14
19. Right to communication .............................................................. 15
20. Right to Justice .....................................................................15
21. Right of victim of crime ...............................................................16
22. Right against torture ................................................................ 16
23. Right against preventive detention ..................................................... 16
24. Right against untouchability and discrimination ........................................... 16
25. Right to property ................................................................... 16
26. Right to religious freedom ............................................................ 17
27. Right to information ................................................................. 17
28. Right to privacy .....................................................................17
29. Right against exploitation .............................................................17
30. Right regarding clean environment ..................................................... 18
31. Right to education ...................................................................18
32. Right to language and culture ..........................................................18
33. Right to employment ................................................................ 18
34. Right regarding labor ................................................................ 18
35. Right to health care ................................................................. 18
36. Right to food .......................................................................19
37. Right to housing .................................................................... 19
38. Right of women .....................................................................19
39. Right of children .................................................................... 19
40. Right of Dalits ......................................................................20
41. Right of senior citizens ............................................................... 20
42. Right to social justice ................................................................ 20
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43. Right to social security ...............................................................20
44. Right of consumers ..................................................................21
45. Right against exile .................................................................. 21
46. Right to constitutional remedy .........................................................21
47. Implementation of fundamental rights ...................................................21
48. Duties of citizens ................................................................... 21
PART 4. Directive Principles, Policies and Responsibilities of the State ...................21
49. To be the Guiding Principles ...........................................................21
50. Directive Principles ..................................................................21
51. State policies .......................................................................22
52. Obligation of the Sate ................................................................28
53. Submitting report ...................................................................28
54. Provision regarding monitoring ........................................................ 28
55. Questions not to be raised in court ..................................................... 28
PART 5. Restructuring of the State and the distribution of State power ..................28
56. Structure of the State ................................................................28
57. Distribution of State power ........................................................... 29
58. Residual powers .................................................................... 29
59. Use of �scal power .................................................................. 29
60. Distribution of sources of revenue ......................................................30
PART 6. President and vice-President ..................................................30
61. President ..........................................................................30
62. Election of the President ............................................................. 30
63. Term of Of�ce of President ............................................................31
64. Quali�cations of the President .........................................................31
65. The circumstances in which the President ceases to hold of�ce ...............................31
66. Functions, duties and powers of the President ............................................ 31
67. Vice-President ..................................................................... 31
68. The circumstances in which the Vice-President ceases to hold of�ce ...........................32
69. Other provisions regarding the Vice-President ............................................32
70. President and Vice-President to belong to different gender or community ...................... 32
71. Oath of of�ce of the President and Vice-President .........................................32
72. Remuneration and other bene�ts to the President and Vice-President .........................32
73. Of�ce of the President and the Vice-President ............................................32
PART 7. Federal Executive .............................................................33
74. Form of governance ................................................................. 33
75. Executive Power ....................................................................33
76. Formation of the Council of Ministers ................................................... 33
77. Circumstances under which the Prime Minister and minister ceases to hold of�ce ................34
78. A person to be a minister who is not a member of the Federal Parliament ...................... 34
79. The remuneration and other bene�ts to the Prime Minister, deputy Prime Minister, minister, state
minister and assistant minister ........................................................... 34
80. Oath of of�ce ...................................................................... 34
81. The President to be informed ..........................................................35
82. The working procedure of the government of Nepal ........................................35
PART 8. Federal Parliament ........................................................... 35
83. Federal Parliament ..................................................................35
84. Constitution of House of Representatives ................................................35
85. Term of House of Representatives ......................................................36
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86. Constitution of National Assembly and terms of members ...................................36
87. Quali�cations for Members ........................................................... 36
88. Oath ............................................................................. 37
89. Vacation of seat .................................................................... 37
90. Decision as to Disquali�cation of Members ...............................................37
91. Speaker and Deputy-Speaker of the House of Representatives ...............................37
92. Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of National Assembly ................................... 38
93. Summoning and Prorogation of Sessions .................................................38
94. Quorum ...........................................................................39
95. Address by President ................................................................39
96. Deputy Prime-minister, State Minister and Assistant Minister Entitled to Take Part in Both Houses . 39
97. Formation of Committees ............................................................ 39
98. Transaction of Business in case of vacancy of Members .....................................39
99. Voting ............................................................................ 39
100. Provision related to Vote of Con�dence and Motion of no-con�dence .........................39
101. Impeachment .....................................................................40
102. Penalty for Unauthorized Presence or Voting ............................................41
103. Privileges ........................................................................ 41
104. Procedures relating to the Conduct of Business .......................................... 41
105. Restriction on discussion ............................................................ 42
106. Secretary General and Secretary of Federal Parliament ................................... 42
107. Secretariat of Federal Parliament ..................................................... 42
108. Remuneration .....................................................................42
PART 9. Federal Legislative Procedure ................................................. 42
109. Legislative power of Federal Parliament ................................................42
110. The procedure of introducing a Bill .....................................................42
111. Procedure for passing Bills ...........................................................43
112. Withdrawal of Bill ..................................................................44
113. Certi�cation of the Bills ............................................................. 44
114. Ordinance ........................................................................44
PART 10. Federal Financial Procedures ................................................ 45
115. Not tax to be levied or loan to be raised ................................................ 45
116. Federal Consolidated Fund ...........................................................45
117. Expenditure from Federal Consolidated Fund or Federal Government Fund ....................45
118. Expenditure chargeable on the Federal Consolidated Fund ................................. 45
119. Estimates of Revenues and Expenditure ................................................46
120. Appropriation Act ..................................................................46
121. Supplementary estimates ........................................................... 46
122. Votes on Account ..................................................................46
123. Votes of credit .................................................................... 47
124. Federal Contingency Fund ...........................................................47
125. Act relating to �nancial Procedures ....................................................47
PART 11. Judiciary ....................................................................47
126. Courts to exercise powers related to justice .............................................47
127. Courts ...........................................................................47
128. Supreme Court ....................................................................47
129. Appointment and quali�cations of Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court ..............48
130. Conditions of service and bene�ts of the Chief Justice and Justices .......................... 48
131. Vacation of Of�ce of Chief Justice or Justices of the Supreme Court ..........................48
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132. Chief Justice and Justices not to be engaged in any other assignment ........................ 49
133. Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court .....................................................49
134. Transfer of cases .................................................................. 50
135. Not to be part of pleading of court cases ................................................50
136. Responsibility of the Chief Justice .....................................................50
137. Formation of the Constitutional Bench ................................................. 50
138. Annual report .....................................................................50
139. High Court ....................................................................... 50
140. The appointment and quali�cations of the Chief Judge and Judges of the High Court ............ 51
141. Conditions of service and bene�ts of Chief Judge and Judges ............................... 51
142. Vacancy of of�ce of the Chief Judge or Judge ............................................51
143. Chief Judge and Judge not be engaged in any other assignment and transfer related provision .... 52
144. Jurisdiction of the High Court ........................................................ 52
145. Transfer of cases .................................................................. 52
146. Allowed to plead ...................................................................52
147. Responsibility of the Chief Judge ......................................................53
148. District Court .....................................................................53
149. Appointment, quali�cations and remuneration and other terms of service of the Judges of District
Courts ...............................................................................53
150. Judges of the District Court not to be engaged in any other assignment and provisions related to
transfer ..............................................................................54
151. Jurisdiction of the District Court ...................................................... 54
152. Specialized court ...................................................................54
153. Judicial Council ....................................................................54
154. Judicial Service Commission ......................................................... 55
155. Provisions related to conditions of service and bene�ts ....................................55
156. Provisions related to provincial level Judicial Service Commission ............................55
PART 12. Attorney General ........................................................... 56
157. Attorney General ..................................................................56
158. Functions, Duties and Powers of Attorney General ....................................... 56
159. Annual Report .....................................................................57
160. Chief Attorney .................................................................... 57
161. Provisions Concerning Terms and Conditions of Service and Bene�ts .........................57
PART 13. Provincial Executive .........................................................57
162. Provincial executive power .......................................................... 57
163. Provisions related to the Provincial Head ...............................................58
164. Quali�cations of Provincial Head ......................................................58
165. Vacation of the post of Provincial Head .................................................58
166. Functions, duties and powers of Provincial Head ......................................... 58
167. Oath of Provincial Head .............................................................59
168. Constitution of the Provincial Council of Ministers ........................................59
169. Vacancy of of�ce of Chief Minister and Ministers .........................................59
170. Appointment of non-member of Provincial Assembly as Minister, State Minister or Assistant
Minister ..............................................................................60
171. Remuneration and other bene�ts of Chief Minister, Minister, State Minister and Assistant Minister .60
172. Oath ............................................................................ 60
173. Provincial Head to be informed ....................................................... 60
174. Conduct of business of the Provincial government ........................................60
PART 14. Provincial Legislature ........................................................61
175. Provincial Legislature ...............................................................61
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176. Formation of the Provincial Assembly ..................................................61
177. Term of Provincial Assembly ......................................................... 62
178. Quali�cation of members of Provincial Assembly .........................................62
179. Oath of member of Provincial Assembly ................................................62
180. Vacation of seat of Provincial Assembly member .........................................62
181. Decision about disquali�cation of members of Provincial Assembly ...........................63
182. Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly .................................. 63
183. Summoning and prorogation of sessions of Provincial Assembly ............................. 63
184. Address by the Provincial Head .......................................................64
185. Quorum of Provincial Assembly .......................................................64
186. Voting in Provincial Assembly ........................................................ 64
187. Privileges of Provincial Assembly ..................................................... 64
188. Provisions related to Vote of Con�dence and no-con�dence motion .......................... 65
189. Minister, State Minister and Assistant Minister to attend the meeting of Provincial Assembly .....65
190. Unauthorized presence or voting in Provincial Assembly to be penalized ...................... 65
191. Restriction on discussion ............................................................ 66
192. Transaction of business in case of vacancy in membership ..................................66
193. Provincial Assembly to form committees ............................................... 66
194. Procedure relating to the conduct of business of the Provincial Assembly ......................66
195. Secretary and Secretariat of the Provincial Assembly ..................................... 66
196. Remuneration .....................................................................66
PART 15. Provincial Legislative Procedure ............................................. 66
197. Legislative power of Provincial Legislature ..............................................66
198. Procedure to introduce bills in the Provincial Assembly .................................... 67
199. Procedure for Passing Bills ...........................................................67
200. Withdrawal of the Bill ...............................................................67
201. Certi�cation of the Bill .............................................................. 67
202. Ordinance ........................................................................68
PART 16. Financial Procedures of Province .............................................68
203. No tax to be levied or loan to be raised .................................................68
204. Consolidated Fund of the Province .................................................... 68
205. Expenditures from the Provincial Consolidated Fund or a Provincial Government Fund ...........68
206. Expenditure chargeable on the Provincial Consolidated Fund ............................... 69
207. Estimates of revenues and expenditure ................................................ 69
208. Province Appropriation Act .......................................................... 69
209. Supplementary estimates ........................................................... 69
210. Votes on account .................................................................. 69
211. Votes of credit .................................................................... 70
212. Provincial Contingency Fund ......................................................... 70
213. Act relating to �nancial procedures ....................................................70
PART 17. Local Executive ..............................................................70
214. Executive power of local ............................................................ 70
215. Provisions related to Head and Deputy Head of Village Executive ........................... 70
216. Provisions related to Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Municipality ............................. 71
217. Judicial Committee .................................................................72
218. Conduct of business of Village Executive and Municipal Executive ........................... 72
219. Other provisions related to local level executive ......................................... 72
220. District Assembly and District Co-ordination Committee .................................. 72
PART 18. Local Legislature ............................................................ 73
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221. Legislative Power of Local Level ...................................................... 73
222. Formation of Village Assembly ....................................................... 73
223. Constitution of Municipal Assembly ................................................... 73
224. Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of Village Assembly and Municipal Assembly ................74
225. Term of of�ce of Village Assembly and Municipal Assembly .................................74
226. To form laws ......................................................................74
227. Other provisions related to Village Assembly and Municipal Assembly ........................74
PART 19. Local Financial Procedure ....................................................74
228. No tax to be levied or loan to be raised .................................................74
229. Local Consolidated Fund ............................................................ 74
230. Estimate of Revenue and Expenditure of Village Council and Municipality ..................... 75
PART 20. Interrelationship between the Federation, Provinces and Local levels ..........75
231. Legislative interrelationship between Federation and Province ..............................75
232. Relations between the Federation, Provinces and local level ................................75
233. Relations among the Provinces ....................................................... 76
234. Inter-Provincial Council ............................................................. 76
235. Coordination among the Federation, Provinces and local Levels ............................. 76
236. Interprovincial Trade ............................................................... 76
237. Jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court not to be affected ..................................76
PART 21. Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority ...................... 77
238. Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority ................................... 77
239. Functions, duties and powers of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority ...... 78
PART 22. Auditor General .............................................................78
240. Auditor General ................................................................... 78
241. Functions, duties and powers of the Auditor General ......................................79
PART 23. Public Service Commission .................................................. 79
242. Public Service Commission ...........................................................79
243. Functions, duties and powers of the Public Service Commission ............................. 80
244. Provision related to Provincial Public Service Commission ..................................81
PART 24. Election Commission ........................................................81
245. Election Commission ............................................................... 81
246. Functions duties and, powers of Election Commission ..................................... 82
247. Necessary Cooperation to be Extended ................................................ 83
PART 25. National Human Rights Commission .........................................83
248. National Human Rights Commission ...................................................83
249. Functions, duties and powers of National Human Rights Commission .........................84
PART 26. National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission ...........................85
250. National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission .......................................85
251. The functions, duties and powers of National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission ..........86
PART 27. Other Commissions .........................................................86
252. National Women Commission ........................................................86
253. Functions, duties and powers of the National Women Commission ...........................87
254. Of�ces may be established in province ................................................. 88
255. National Dalit Commission .......................................................... 88
256. Functions, duties and powers of National Dalit Commission ................................ 89
257. Of�ces may be established in province ................................................. 89
258. National Inclusion Commission ....................................................... 89
259. Functions, duties and powers of National Inclusion Commission ............................. 90
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260. Of�ces may be established in province ................................................. 91
261. Adibasi Janajati Commission .........................................................91
262. Madheshi Commission ..............................................................91
263. Tharu Commission .................................................................91
264. Muslim Commission ................................................................91
265. Review of the Commissions ..........................................................92
PART 28. Provision regarding National Security ........................................92
266. National Defense Council ............................................................92
267. Provision relating to Nepal Army ......................................................92
268. Provision relating to Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal and National Investigation
Organization ..........................................................................93
PART 29. Provision relating to Political Parties .........................................93
269. Constitution, registration and operation of Political Parties .................................93
270. Prohibition on the imposition of restrictions on political parties ..............................93
271. Registration required for securing recognition for the purpose of contesting elections as a Political
Party ................................................................................94
272. Other provisions relating to Political Party ..............................................94
PART 30. Emergency Powers ..........................................................94
273. Emergency Powers ................................................................ 94
PART 31. Amendment of the Constitution ............................................. 95
274. Amendment of the Constitution ...................................................... 95
PART 32. Miscellaneous ...............................................................96
275. Provision relating to Referendum ..................................................... 96
276. Pardon .......................................................................... 96
277. Titles, honors, and decorations ....................................................... 96
278. Right to enter into treaty ............................................................96
279. Rati�cation of, accession to, acceptance of or approval of treaties or agreement ................96
280. Special Provision Relating to Exercise of President Function ................................ 97
281. Review and revision of Special Powers ................................................. 97
282. Nepali Ambassadors and Emissaries ...................................................97
283. Appointment to be made on Inclusive Principles ..........................................97
284. Provision relating to Constitutional Council ............................................. 97
285. Formation of the Government Service ................................................. 98
286. Election Constituency Delimitation Commission ......................................... 98
287. Language Commission ..............................................................99
288. Capital .......................................................................... 99
289. Special provisions relating to Citizenship of the of�ce-bearers ...............................99
290. Provision relating to Trust ..........................................................100
291. Not Eligible for Appointment ........................................................100
292. Provision relating to Parliamentary Hearing ............................................100
293. Monitoring and evaluation of works of Constitutional Bodies .............................. 100
294. Annual report of Constitutional Body ................................................. 100
PART 33. Transitional Provisions .....................................................101
295. Formation of Federal Commission ....................................................101
296. Constituent Assembly to be transformed into Legislature-parliament ....................... 101
297. Provisions relating to the President and Vice-President .................................. 101
298. Provision relating to Constitution of Council of Ministers ..................................102
299. Interim provision regarding Speaker and Deputy-speaker .................................103
300. Provision relating to the Judiciary ....................................................103
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301. Provisions regarding Constitutional Bodies and Of�cials thereof ............................104
302. Formation and Operation of Government Services in Provincial and Local Level ............... 104
303. Provision regarding the Local Bodies ..................................................104
304. Existing laws to remain in operation ..................................................105
305. Power to remove dif�culties ........................................................ 105
PART 34. De�nitions and Interpretations .............................................105
306. De�nitions and Interpretations ......................................................105
PART 35. Short Title, Commencement and Repeal .....................................106
307. Short title, Commencement and Repeal ............................................... 106
308. Repeal ..........................................................................106
SCHEDULE 1. Method of Making the National Flag of Nepal (RELATED WITH CLAUSE
(2) OF ARTICLE 8 ................................................................... 106
SCHEDULE 2. National Anthem of Nepal (RELATED TO CLAUSE (1), ARTICLE 9 ....... 107
SCHEDULE 3. Coat of Arms of Nepal (RELATED TO CLAUSE (2), ARTICLE 9 ........... 107
SCHEDULE 4. PROVINCES AND DISTRICTS WITHIN PROVINCES (RELATING TO
CLAUSE (3) OF ARTICLE 56 ......................................................... 107
SCHEDULE 5. List of Federal Powers/Jurisdiction (RELATED TO ARTICLE 57(1) AND
109 .................................................................................110
SCHEDULE 6. List of Provincial Powers/Jurisdiction (RELATED WITH ARTICLE 57 (2),
162 (4), 197, 231 (3), 232 (7), 274 (4) AND 296 (4 ..................................... 111
SCHEDULE 7. List of Concurrent (federal and provincial) Powers/Jurisdiction
(RELATED TO ARTICLE 57(3), 109, 162 (4), AND 197 ................................. 112
SCHEDULE 8. List of Powers/Jurisdiction for Local Level (RELATED TO 57 (4), 214 (2),
221 (2) AND 226 (1 ..................................................................112
SCHEDULE 9. List of concurrent Powers/Jurisdiction for Federation, Province and Local
Level (RELATED TO 57 (5), 109, 162 (4), 197, 214 (2), 221 (2) AND 226 (1 .............. 113
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Unof�cial translation by Nepal Law Society, International IDEA, and UNDP.
Preamble Preamble
Source of constitutional authority
We, the people of Nepal, in exercise of the sovereign powers inherent in us,
Embracing the sovereign right of the people and the right to autonomy and self-rule, by
maintaining Nepal’s independence, sovereignty, geographical integrity, national unity,
freedom and dignity,
Reference to country's history Remembering the glorious history of historical peoples’ movements and armed
struggles time and again and the sacri�ce made by people for national interest,
democracy, progressive change, and recognizing the martyrs, the disappeared citizens
and the victims,
Ending all forms of discriminations and oppression created by the feudal, autocratic,
centralized and unitary system,
Integration of ethnic communities Embracing multi-caste, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and diverse geographical
Motives for writing constitution speci�cities, by ending discriminations relating to class, caste, region, language, religion
Reference to fraternity/solidarity
and gender discrimination including all forms of racial untouchability, in order to protect
and promote unity in diversity, social and cultural solidarity, tolerance and harmonious
attitudes, we also express our determination to create an egalitarian society on the
basis of the principles of proportional inclusion and participation, to ensure equitable
economy, prosperity and social justice,
Freedom of press Expressing commitment to create the bases of socialism by adopting democratic norms
Motives for writing constitution and values, including peoples' competitive multi-party democratic governance system,
civil liberty, fundamental rights, human rights, adult franchise, periodic elections,
complete press freedom and an independent, impartial and competent judiciary, and the
concept of rule of law,
Motives for writing constitution NOW THEREFORE, in order to ful�ll the aspirations for perpetual peace, good
Type of government envisioned governance, development and prosperity through the medium of federal democratic
republican system of governance, hereby promulgate this Constitution through the
Constituent Assembly.
PART 1. Preliminary
1. Constitution as the fundamental law
1. This constitution is the fundamental law of Nepal. All laws inconsistent with this
Constitutionality of legislation constitution shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be void.
2. It shall be the duty of every person to uphold this constitution.
2. Sovereignty and state authority
The sovereignty and state authority of Nepal are vested in Nepali people. The use of
which shall be as provided for in this constitution.
3. Nation
Having multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, multi-cultural characteristics with
common aspirations of people living in diverse geographical regions, and being
committed to and united by a bond of allegiance to national independence, territorial
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