Rights
2015 Constitution made Nepal a secular federal republic
The 2015 Constitution replaced a unitary Hindu monarchy with a secular federal republic of seven provinces. It contains an unusually long list of enforceable fundamental rights and a Constitutional Bench within the Supreme Court.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — Federal: powers are split between federal, provincial and local levels under Schedules 5-9, and provincial law applies alongside federal statute.
Governing law
- Constitution of Nepal2015
- Federalism-related Acts on distribution of powers
- Supreme Court Act, 20481991
In practice
Article 133 gives the Supreme Court power to void laws inconsistent with the Constitution, and Nepal's public interest litigation record is notably active — the Supreme Court has ordered recognition of a third gender category and directed reform in several areas. The Constitutional Bench hears federalism and election disputes. Citizenship provisions, particularly for children of Nepali mothers and foreign fathers, remain contested and litigated.