Studying the whole constitution? Start with our overview note, Constitution of Nepal 2072: Parts, Schedules, Fundamental Rights and Amendments, then use this note for the detail.
The Constitution of Nepal 2072 is the fundamental law of the country and one of the most frequently tested topics in every Lok Sewa exam. This note covers how and when it was made, what the preamble says, its structure of parts, articles and schedules, its main features, the first nine articles on the state, language and national symbols, and its amendments so far.
1. Making of the Constitution
Nepal elected its first Constituent Assembly in 2064 BS (2008), but it was dissolved in 2069 BS without finishing a constitution. The second Constituent Assembly, elected in 2070 BS, completed the task.
- The Constitution was promulgated on 3 Ashwin 2072 BS (20 September 2015).
- It was promulgated by President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav.
- The Chairman of the Constituent Assembly was Subas Chandra Nembang.
- Ashwin 3 is celebrated every year as Constitution Day (Sambidhan Diwas).
- It is the seventh constitution in the history of Nepal and the first made by an elected Constituent Assembly.
2. Constitutions of Nepal so far
| Constitution | Year (BS) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Nepal Act | 2004 | First written constitution, by Padma Shumsher |
| Interim Government of Nepal Act | 2007 | After the end of Rana rule |
| Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal | 2015 | First constitution with an elected parliament |
| Constitution of Nepal | 2019 | Brought the Panchayat system |
| Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal | 2047 | After the People’s Movement 2046; multiparty democracy |
| Interim Constitution of Nepal | 2063 | After the People’s Movement 2062/63 |
| Constitution of Nepal | 2072 | Federal democratic republic; current constitution |
3. Preamble
The preamble is the introduction to the Constitution. It begins with “We, the sovereign people of Nepal”, showing that sovereignty lies with the people.
- Accepts the people’s right to self-determination and protects the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Nepal.
- Remembers the sacrifices of martyrs and people’s movements for democracy, peace and progress.
- Ends feudal, autocratic, centralised and unitary systems of governance.
- Commits to a competitive multiparty democratic system, civil liberties, fundamental rights, adult franchise, periodic elections, full press freedom, independent judiciary and rule of law.
- Aims to build an egalitarian society based on proportional inclusion and participation, with the goal of socialism.
4. Structure of the Constitution
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| Parts | 35 |
| Articles | 308 |
| Schedules | 9 |
| Fundamental rights | 31 (Articles 16 to 46) |
| Provinces | 7 |
| Local levels | 753 |
| Constitutional bodies | 13 |
The schedules include the national flag (Schedule 1), national anthem (2), coat of arms (3), provinces and districts (4), and the lists of federal, provincial, local and concurrent powers (Schedules 5 to 9).
5. Main features
- Federal democratic republic with three levels of government: federal, provincial and local.
- Secular state: the state protects religion and culture practised since ancient times and religious and cultural freedom (Article 4).
- Inclusive and proportional representation of women, Dalits, Madhesi, indigenous nationalities and other groups.
- Parliamentary system with a ceremonial President and an executive Prime Minister.
- Bicameral federal parliament: House of Representatives (275 members) and National Assembly (59 members).
- Mixed electoral system: first-past-the-post and proportional representation.
- Independent judiciary and constitutional supremacy.
- Socialism-oriented economy based on public, private and cooperative sectors.
6. Articles 1 to 9: the state and national symbols
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 1 | Constitution as the fundamental law of Nepal |
| 2 | Sovereignty and state authority vested in the people of Nepal |
| 3 | Nation: all Nepali people with multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, multi-cultural features |
| 4 | State of Nepal: independent, indivisible, sovereign, secular, inclusive, democratic, socialism-oriented federal democratic republic |
| 5 | National interest |
| 6 | Languages of the nation: all mother tongues spoken in Nepal |
| 7 | Official language: Nepali in Devanagari script |
| 8 | National flag |
| 9 | National anthem, coat of arms and other national symbols |
| National symbol | Name |
|---|---|
| National flower | Rhododendron (Lali Gurans) |
| National colour | Crimson red |
| National animal | Cow |
| National bird | Danphe (Himalayan monal) |
7. Amendment of the Constitution
Article 274 deals with amendment. A bill to amend the Constitution must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the total existing members of each house of the Federal Parliament. Provisions against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and the sovereignty vested in the people cannot be amended.
| Amendment | Date | Main subject |
|---|---|---|
| First | 16 Falgun 2072 BS (2016) | Proportional inclusion and delimitation of election constituencies |
| Second | 31 Jestha 2077 BS (2020) | New map in the coat of arms, including Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura |
📌 Key points to remember
- Promulgated on 3 Ashwin 2072 BS (20 September 2015) by President Ram Baran Yadav; CA chairman Subas Chandra Nembang.
- Ashwin 3 is Constitution Day; it is the 7th constitution of Nepal.
- 35 parts, 308 articles and 9 schedules; 31 fundamental rights in Articles 16 to 46.
- Preamble starts with “We, the sovereign people of Nepal” and aims at socialism.
- Article 4 describes Nepal as a secular, inclusive, socialism-oriented federal democratic republic.
- Article 7: official language is Nepali in Devanagari script.
- Rhododendron, crimson, cow and Danphe are national flower, colour, animal and bird.
- Article 274: amendment needs a two-thirds majority of total members of each house.
- Second amendment (2077) added the new map with Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura.
Test yourself: Constitution of Nepal 2072
Practise Making of the Constitution, Structure of the Constitution and Amendment of the Constitution with 50 questions. Each attempt picks 25 at random.