Citizenship decides who is a Nepali and who can enjoy the rights reserved for citizens. Part 2 of the Constitution (Articles 10 to 15) explains the types of citizenship, how it is acquired and the special non-resident citizenship for people of Nepali origin abroad. This note explains each provision in simple language.
1. Overview of Part 2
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 10 | No Nepali citizen shall be deprived of citizenship |
| 11 | Persons who are citizens and ways of acquiring citizenship |
| 12 | Citizenship with identity of gender |
| 13 | Acquisition, re-acquisition and termination of citizenship by federal law |
| 14 | Non-resident citizenship |
| 15 | Other provisions to be made by federal law |
Detailed rules are in the Nepal Citizenship Act 2063. Nepal does not allow dual citizenship.
2. Types of citizenship
| Type | Who gets it |
|---|---|
| By descent | A person whose father or mother was a citizen of Nepal at the time of the person’s birth |
| By birth | Children of citizens by birth, born in Nepal and living in Nepal, as provided in the Constitution for those born before it began |
| Naturalised | Foreigners who fulfil the conditions of federal law, e.g. a foreign woman married to a Nepali man |
| Honorary | May be given to a distinguished foreign person as provided by law |
| Non-resident | Persons of Nepali origin living in non-SAARC countries (Article 14) |
3. Special provisions
- A child found in Nepal whose father and mother are not known is treated as a citizen by descent until a parent is traced.
- A child born in Nepal to a Nepali woman married to a foreign citizen, who lives in Nepal and has not taken foreign citizenship, can get naturalised citizenship as provided by federal law.
- Article 12: citizenship certificates are issued in the name of the father or mother, with the person’s gender identity.
- A Nepali who voluntarily takes the citizenship of another country loses Nepali citizenship.
4. Non-resident citizenship (Article 14)
- Given to people who acquired the citizenship of a country outside the SAARC region and who were, or whose parents or grandparents were, Nepali citizens.
- It gives economic, social and cultural rights, such as owning property and doing business, as provided by law.
- It does not give political rights such as voting or holding public office.
5. Issuing citizenship certificates
- Citizenship certificates are issued by the District Administration Office, signed by the Chief District Officer (CDO) or an authorised officer.
- A person can apply after reaching 16 years of age.
- A citizenship certificate is needed for many services: passport, voter registration, land ownership, government jobs and bank accounts.
- Only citizens by descent can hold certain top posts such as President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Speaker and Province Chief.
6. Citizenship articles at a glance
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 10 | No Nepali citizen shall be deprived of citizenship |
| 11 | Citizenship by descent, birth and naturalisation |
| 12 | Citizenship certificate showing the mother’s or father’s name and gender identity |
| 13 | Obtaining a citizenship certificate |
| 14 | Non-resident citizenship for people of Nepali origin abroad |
| 15 | Acquisition, re-acquisition and termination of citizenship by federal law |
7. Documents usually needed for a citizenship certificate
- Application form with recent photos.
- Citizenship certificate of the father or mother.
- Birth registration certificate.
- Recommendation from the ward office.
- Proof of relationship, if required.
The certificate is issued by the District Administration Office. The main law is the Nepal Citizenship Act, 2063 and its Rules.
8. How this topic is asked in the exam
Objective items ask which part of the Constitution covers citizenship (Part 2), the article on non-resident citizenship (Article 14) and which office issues certificates. Subjective questions ask about types of citizenship or the debate on citizenship through the mother. Use the article table above.
📌 Key points to remember
- Citizenship is in Part 2, Articles 10 to 15.
- Article 10: no citizen shall be deprived of citizenship.
- Types: by descent, by birth, naturalised, honorary, non-resident.
- By descent: father or mother a Nepali citizen at the time of birth.
- Child of unknown parents found in Nepal is a citizen by descent until a parent is traced.
- Article 14: non-resident citizenship for people of Nepali origin outside SAARC; no political rights.
- Nepal Citizenship Act 2063; no dual citizenship.
- Certificates issued by the District Administration Office (CDO) from age 16.
Test yourself: Citizenship in the Constitution of Nepal
50 questions check what you read about Overview of Part 2, Special provisions and Issuing citizenship certificates. Each attempt picks 25 at random.