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📗 Nayab Subba syllabus: Paper II, Section B, Unit 2.6 · Open the full Nayab Subba course
Inclusion (समावेशीकरण) means bringing all groups of society, especially those left behind, into the decision-making and benefits of the state. Proportional representation (समानुपातिक प्रतिनिधित्व) means that groups or parties get seats in proportion to their population or votes. Together they are called proportional inclusion (समानुपातिक समावेशी).
1. Why inclusion?
- Nepal is diverse: more than 140 caste/ethnic groups and over 120 languages (Census 2078).
- Historically, women, Dalits, Janajatis, Madhesis, Muslims and people of remote regions were under-represented in the state.
- Inclusion builds national unity, equality, social justice and legitimacy of the state.
2. Constitutional basis
- The Preamble commits to an inclusive, proportional and participatory democratic system.
- Article 42 (right to social justice): socially backward women, Dalits, Adivasi Janajati, Madhesi, Tharu, minorities, persons with disabilities, marginalised groups, Muslims, backward classes, gender and sexual minorities, youth, farmers, labourers, the oppressed, citizens of backward regions and indigent Khas Arya have the right to take part in state bodies on the basis of the principle of inclusion.
- Article 18: equality, with special provisions allowed for disadvantaged groups (positive discrimination).
3. Inclusion in elected bodies
| Body | Inclusive provision |
|---|---|
| House of Representatives | 275 members: 165 FPTP + 110 PR (closed party lists by group); a party needs at least 3% of PR votes to get PR seats |
| Federal Parliament | At least one-third women (Article 84(8)) |
| National Assembly | 59 members: 8 from each province (including at least 3 women, 1 Dalit and 1 person with disability or minority) + 3 nominated by the President (at least 1 woman) |
| Provincial Assembly | 60% FPTP, 40% PR; at least one-third women |
| Local levels | Parties must field a woman for chief or deputy chief; each ward committee has 2 women members, one of whom is a Dalit woman; executive includes women and Dalit/minority members |
| President / Vice-President | Must be of different gender or community (Article 70) |
| Speaker / Deputy Speaker | Must be of different gender and from different parties (Article 91) |
4. Inclusion in the civil service and other bodies
- 45% of open-competition posts in the civil service are reserved: women 33%, Adivasi Janajati 27%, Madhesi 22%, Dalit 9%, persons with disabilities 5%, backward areas 4% (of the reserved share).
- Similar reservations apply in the army, police, teachers and public enterprises under their laws.
5. Inclusion-related constitutional commissions (Part 27)
- National Women Commission, National Dalit Commission, National Inclusion Commission, Adivasi Janajati (Indigenous Nationalities) Commission, Madhesi Commission, Tharu Commission and Muslim Commission.
- They study the situation of these groups, recommend policies and monitor implementation.
6. Achievements and challenges
- Achievements: women hold about one-third of seats in Parliament and about 41% of seats in local bodies (2079 election); more Dalit and Janajati representatives; inclusive civil service.
- Challenges: “elite capture” (benefits going to better-off members of each group), women mostly in deputy positions, low representation in decision-making posts, debate on fairness of reservation, weak implementation.
7. Inclusion in numbers
| Provision | Fact |
|---|---|
| House of Representatives | 275 members: 165 FPTP and 110 PR |
| Women in Parliament | At least one-third of each party’s members (Article 84(8)) |
| Right to social justice | Article 42 |
| Civil service reservation | 45% of open posts reserved |
8. Civil service reservation (of the 45%)
| Group | Share |
|---|---|
| Women | 33% |
| Adibasi/Janajati | 27% |
| Madhesi | 22% |
| Dalit | 9% |
| Persons with disabilities | 5% |
| Backward areas | 4% |
9. How this topic is asked in the exam
Objective questions ask the seats under FPTP and PR, the article on social justice and the reservation shares. Subjective questions ask about the achievements and problems of inclusion.
📌 Key points to remember
- Inclusion = bringing all groups into state decisions and benefits; PR = seats in proportion to votes or population.
- Article 42: right to social justice — participation in state bodies on the inclusive principle.
- HoR 275 = 165 FPTP + 110 PR (3% threshold); at least one-third women in Parliament (Art. 84(8)).
- NA 59 (8 per province incl. 3 women, 1 Dalit, 1 PwD/minority + 3 nominated); provincial assembly 60:40.
- President and Vice-President of different gender or community; ward committee has 2 women incl. 1 Dalit woman.
- Civil service: 45% reserved; seven inclusion-related commissions in Part 27.
📝 Quiz
Test yourself: Inclusion and Proportional Representation in Nepal
50 questions check what you read about Why inclusion?, Inclusion in elected bodies and Achievements and challenges. Each attempt picks 25 at random.
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