A democracy works only when citizens know their rights and duties and take part in public life. Unit 2.2 asks about citizens’ responsibilities and duties, civil society and civic awareness/education (नागरिक चेतना/शिक्षा).
1. Duties of citizens (Article 48)
The Constitution of Nepal lists four duties of every citizen:
- To safeguard the nationality, sovereignty and integrity of Nepal while being loyal to the nation.
- To abide by the Constitution and the law.
- To render compulsory service whenever the State so requires.
- To protect and preserve public property.
Other responsibilities expected of a good citizen: paying taxes honestly, voting, respecting others’ rights, protecting the environment and cultural heritage, helping in disasters, keeping public places clean, and not spreading hatred or fake news.
- Rights and duties go together: rights without duties lead to disorder; duties without rights lead to oppression.
2. Civil society (नागरिक समाज)
- Civil society is the space of organised citizens’ groups that are outside the state and outside the market (business), working for common interests, rights and public good.
Examples in Nepal:
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) | Development, human rights and women’s rights organisations |
| Professional associations | Nepal Bar Association, Federation of Nepali Journalists, Nepal Medical Association |
| Trade and labour unions | Workers’ unions, teachers’ unions |
| Community-based organisations | Community forest user groups (FECOFUN), mothers’ groups, user committees |
| Media, academia, religious and cultural groups | Independent media, universities, guthis |
Roles of civil society:
- Watchdog: monitor government, expose corruption and rights abuses.
- Advocacy: raise people’s voices for policy change.
- Service delivery: education, health, water, relief in disasters.
- Awareness: voter education, health and legal awareness.
- Bridge between the state and the people.
- Civil society played a big role in the people’s movements of 2046 and 2062/63.
Legal basis: NGOs register under the Association Registration Act, 2034; the Social Welfare Council (Social Welfare Act, 2049) coordinates and approves NGO and INGO projects. Article 17 guarantees freedom to form unions and associations.
Challenges: political division, dependence on foreign funding, weak transparency of some organisations, urban concentration.
3. Civic awareness and civic education (नागरिक चेतना र शिक्षा)
- Civic awareness means knowing one’s rights, duties, the law, and how the government works, and acting responsibly.
- Civic education builds this awareness through schools, media, voter education programmes (Election Commission), legal literacy and community programmes.
- Benefits: informed voting, less corruption, respect for law, active participation in local planning (ward meetings, public hearings), social harmony.
4. Duties of citizens under Article 48
- Safeguard the nationality, sovereignty and integrity of Nepal.
- Abide by the Constitution and law.
- Render compulsory service when the State requires it.
- Protect and preserve public property.
Fundamental rights (Part 3) and duties go together: a citizen who enjoys rights must also respect the law and the rights of others.
5. Role of civil society in Nepal
| Role | Example |
|---|---|
| Watchdog | Monitoring corruption and human rights |
| Voice of the people | Raising issues of marginalised groups |
| Service delivery | NGOs working in health, education and disaster relief |
| Civic education | Voter education and awareness programmes |
| Peace building | Role during Jana Andolan II and the peace process |
6. How this topic is asked in the exam
Objective questions ask the article on duties (Article 48) and the meaning of civil society. Subjective questions ask “What is the role of civil society in democracy?” or “Why is civic education important?” Give clear roles with Nepali examples and end with challenges such as politicisation.
📌 Key points to remember
- Article 48: four duties — safeguard nationality and sovereignty, abide by the Constitution and law, render compulsory service when required, protect public property.
- Civil society is outside the state and the market: NGOs, professional bodies, unions, community groups, media.
- Roles: watchdog, advocacy, service delivery, awareness, bridge between state and people.
- NGOs register under the Association Registration Act 2034; Social Welfare Council under the Social Welfare Act 2049.
- Article 17: freedom to form associations; civic education builds informed, responsible citizens.
Test yourself: Citizens’ Duties, Civil Society and Civic Education in Nepal
52 questions check what you read about Duties of citizens (Article 48), Civil society (नागरिक समाज) and Civic awareness and civic education (नागरिक चेतना र शिक्षा). Each attempt picks 25 at random.