10 Laws that every Nepali must read, which are used in daily life.
1. Nepal Constitution
The constitution of Nepal was promulgated on 2072/06/03 and it is supreme law of the country. This is the currently existing law. This constitution was drafted and passed by the then Constitutent Assembly of Nepal.
This is the first constitution in Nepal's history to be issued through elected representatives of the people. It is the fundamental law of the nation, and all other laws exsisting in Nepal are operated under the authority g by this constitution.
It has ensured the rights of everythings from government formation to the legislature and judiciary.
This constitution has recognizes the Nepali People as sovereign Citizen.
Not only all citizens, but because the constitution is needed on a daily basis for all persons living in Nepal, everyone should study it.
2. Muluki Devani samhita, 2074 ( Civil Code)
Muluki Devani samhita, 2074 ( Civil Code) is the principal law that determines how cases related to civil law are conducted and resolved in courts in Nepal. This Act came into force from Bhadra 1, 2075 B.S. (August 17, 2018).
What is Civil law?
Civil law is the body of law that regulates private relationships, rights, and obligations among individuals, families, and institutions. It provides protection and remedies for individual rights and helps maintain peace, justice, and social order in society.
Its Law mainly applies to the following matters:
1. Legal rights, duties, status, family relations, or property-related matters, except those defined by law as criminal cases.
2. Establishment of relationship or divorce.
3. Fees, remuneration, salary, allowance, or wages.
4. Partition, inheritance, donation, guardianship, custody, maternity or paternal authority, adoption of a son or daughter.
5. Easement rights.
6. Compensation.
7. other Civil cases/ Matters.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse; this is a universal legal principle. A person cannot escape liability simply by saying, “I did not know the law.” At the very least, knowledge of the law is necessary to avoid punishment and loss. Therefore, this is a law that every citizen and every person residing in Nepal should study.
This Act is especially important to understand for the following reasons:
1. It is directly related to daily life matters such as marriage, divorce, buying and selling land and property, and financial transactions, which are closely connected to people’s everyday lives.
2. It helps individuals understand their rights and legal protections, as well as the ways to safeguard those rights.
3. It provides knowledge about issues such as the permissible rate of interest in transactions, how to prepare legal documents or agreements, and what matters should be considered while buying or selling land and property, thereby helping people avoid fraud and disputes.
4. Civil cases are subject to statutory limitation periods for filing cases. Lack of knowledge about these time limits may result in a situation where a case cannot be filed after a long period of time.
5. It helps maintain family harmony and social goodwill.
3.The National Criminal Procedure Code, 2074
The National Criminal Procedure Code, 2017 (2074 B.S.) is the principal procedural law governing the investigation, prosecution, and court proceedings of criminal offences in Nepal. It works together with the National Penal (Criminal) Code, which defines criminal offences, and establishes the legal framework for bringing offenders within the scope of the law, collecting evidence, and determining detention and custody procedures.
This Act is not only for legal professionals; every citizen should know about it because:
1. It provides knowledge about the legal provisions relating to arrest, including on what grounds a person may be arrested and in what situations an arrest may or may not be lawful.
2. If a person is ever detained or required to appear before a court, understanding this law helps them exercise their right to legal assistance and defend themselves properly.
3. If a person or their family becomes a victim of a crime, it gives practical knowledge about where and how to file a complaint, and what legal procedures and remedies may follow.
4. It provides practical knowledge on how to preserve the crime scene and protect evidence if an incident occurs.
5. It helps people gain knowledge regarding detention and release procedures, bail and surety provisions, limitation periods, and appeal procedures.
4.सवारी तथा यातायात व्यवस्था ऐन, २०४९
The सवारी तथा यातायात व्यवस्था ऐन, २०४९ is the main law related to the management of vehicles and transportation in Nepal. This Act regulates vehicle registration, driving licenses, vehicle operation, public transportation, road safety, accident management, and transportation discipline. It aims to establish a safe, systematic, and responsible transportation system.
Reasons why every citizen should know this Act:
1. To understand the legal rules that must be followed while driving, including traffic signals and road safety regulations.
2. To learn the legal procedures related to driving licenses, vehicle registration, renewal, insurance, and taxation.
3. To be aware of fines, penalties, and legal responsibilities for violating traffic rules.
4. To understand the rights, duties, and legal procedures of drivers, passengers, and victims in case of road accidents.
5. To know the facilities, safety measures, and rights available to passengers using public transportation.
6. To become aware that negligent acts such as drunk driving, overspeeding, and overloading can lead to legal action and serious human loss.
7. To ensure personal and public safety and to promote road discipline and a responsible transportation culture.
5.उपभोक्ता संरक्षण ऐन, २०७५
उपभोक्ता संरक्षण ऐन, २०७५ is a law of Nepal that protects the rights and interests of consumers. It ensures that consumers receive safe, quality goods and services at fair prices. The Act also controls unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, hoarding, black marketing, and the sale of substandard or harmful products.
It establishes legal mechanisms for consumer rights protection, complaint handling, market monitoring, and punishment for violators. The main objective of this Act is to ensure fair trade practices and safeguard consumers from exploitation.
Why every citizen should know this Act:
1. To understand their basic consumer rights, such as the right to information, choice, safety, and redress.
2. To know how to identify unfair trade practices like overpricing, fake products, and misleading advertisements.
3. To learn the legal process for filing complaints against sellers, service providers, or companies.
4. To be aware of protection against harmful, expired, or low-quality goods and services.
5. To ensure fair treatment in daily transactions such as shopping, banking, healthcare, and transportation.
6. To promote awareness and prevent exploitation in the market system.
7. To help maintain transparency, fairness, and accountability in business practices.
6.सूचनाको हक सम्बन्धी ऐन, २०६३
सूचनाको हक सम्बन्धी ऐन, २०६३ is a law in Nepal that guarantees every citizen’s right to access information held by public bodies. It promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance by allowing people to request and obtain information about government activities, decisions, and public interest matters.
The Act also defines procedures for requesting information, the responsibilities of public bodies to provide information, and exceptions where information may be restricted for reasons such as national security or privacy.
Why every citizen should know this Act:
1. To understand their fundamental right to access information from government and public institutions.
2. To promote transparency and accountability in public administration.
3. To know the legal process for requesting information from public offices.
4. To help fight corruption and misuse of public resources through access to information.
5. To make informed decisions in personal, social, and civic matters.
6. To strengthen citizen participation in governance and democracy.
7. To ensure that public bodies act responsibly and are answerable to the people.
7.विद्युतिय कारोबार ऐन, २०६३
विद्युतिय कारोबार ऐन, २०६३ is a law in Nepal that regulates electronic transactions, digital communication, cyber activities, and online business operations. It provides legal recognition to electronic records and digital signatures, making electronic documents legally valid. The Act also addresses cybercrime, data security, online fraud, and misuse of electronic systems.
Its main objective is to promote safe, reliable, and legally recognized digital transactions while ensuring cybersecurity and protecting users in the digital environment.
Why every citizen should know this Act:
1. To understand that online documents, emails, and digital signatures have legal validity.
2. To be aware of cyber laws related to hacking, fraud, identity theft, and online scams.
3. To know how to use digital platforms safely for banking, shopping, communication, and government services.
4. To understand legal responsibilities while using social media and the internet.
5. To protect personal data, privacy, and digital identity from misuse.
6. To know the legal consequences of cybercrime and electronic fraud.
7. To promote safe, responsible, and lawful use of information technology and digital services.
8.आयकर ऐन, २०५८
आयकर ऐन, २०५८ is the main tax law in Nepal that regulates the assessment, collection, and administration of income tax. It defines taxable income, tax rates, exemptions, deductions, and the procedures for filing tax returns. The Act applies to individuals, businesses, companies, and other entities earning income in Nepal.
Its main objective is to ensure a fair and systematic taxation system and to generate government revenue for public development and services.
Why every citizen should know this Act:
1. To understand what types of income are taxable and how tax is calculated.
2. To know the legal obligation of paying tax and filing tax returns on time.
3. To learn about tax exemptions, deductions, and available reliefs.
4. To understand penalties for tax evasion, false reporting, or non-compliance.
5. To be aware of tax procedures for salary, business income, property, and investments.
6. To promote financial discipline and legal compliance in economic activities.
7. To contribute to national development through proper tax participation.
9.स्थानीय सरकार सञ्चालन ऐन, २०७४
स्थानीय सरकार सञ्चालन ऐन, २०७४ is a law in Nepal that defines the structure, powers, functions, and responsibilities of local governments such as municipalities and rural municipalities. It provides the legal framework for local governance, service delivery, development planning, and citizen participation at the local level.
The Act strengthens decentralization by empowering local governments to manage administrative, financial, and developmental activities independently within their jurisdiction.
Why every citizen should know this Act:
1. To understand the structure and functions of local government (municipality and rural municipality).
2. To know the services provided by local government such as registration, education, health, infrastructure, and social security.
3. To understand citizen rights and participation in local decision-making processes.
4. To learn how development plans and budgets are prepared and implemented at the local level.
5. To know how to access public services easily from local government offices.
6. To be aware of local taxes, fees, and administrative procedures.
7. To promote accountability, transparency, and good governance at the community level.
10. नागरिक अधिकार ऐन, २०१२
नागरिक अधिकार ऐन, २०१२ is a law in Nepal that was introduced to protect and promote the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. It safeguards basic civil liberties such as freedom of speech, expression, movement, religion, assembly, and equality before the law.
The Act aims to ensure that no individual is unlawfully restricted in exercising their basic human and constitutional rights, and it provides legal protection against arbitrary actions by the state or any authority.
Why every citizen should know this Act:
1. To understand their basic civil and fundamental rights as citizens.
2. To know the limits of government power over individual freedom.
3. To protect themselves from unlawful arrest, detention, or restriction of rights.
4. To exercise freedom of speech, expression, movement, and religion responsibly and legally.
5. To promote awareness of equality and non-discrimination in society.
6. To ensure justice and protection when rights are violated.
7. To strengthen democratic values and active citizen participation in the country.
