NGO Registration Process in Nepal (2026 Guide) | Nepal Lawyer

Complete Guide to NGO Registration Process in Nepal

Establishing a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Nepal enables civil society organizations, humanitarians, and development experts to lawfully conduct social, environmental, and educational initiatives. To register an NGO, you must go through several levels of official approval, from local ward offices and the District Administration Office (DAO) to the Social Welfare Council (SWC) and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

At Nepal Lawyer, our expert legal advocates oversee the entire NGO incorporation procedure, including constitutional drafting (Bidhan), government filing, police clearance, tax registration, and annual compliance.

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NGO Registration Process:

Governing Legal Framework for NGOs in Nepal

In the Nepalese legal system, non-profit entities are established under the Association Registration Act, 2034 (1977). An NGO operates as an independent, non-profit entity dedicated to public welfare, social upliftment, environmental protection, or community development.

To operate legally, an NGO must register with the District Administration Office (DAO) in the relevant district (one of Nepal's 77 districts). Following DAO registration, the NGO must get tax registration from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and join the Social Welfare Council (SWC), which oversees non-governmental organization activities in Nepal.

Step-by-Step NGO Registration Process

The legal workflow for establishing an NGO in Nepal follows six structured steps:

Step 1: Recommendation Letter from Local Ward Office

Apply to the local ward office where the NGO's physical office will be situated. To get an official recommendation letter, submit the proposed constitution (Bidhan), details of the executive committee, and the rental agreement.

Step 2: District Coordination Committee (DCC) Recommendation

Submit the recommendation letter and constitutional drafts to the District Coordination Committee for their approval before registration.

Step 3: DAO Submission and Police Clearance

Submit a formal registration application to the appropriate District Administration Office (DAO). Following receipt, the DAO sends a request to the Nepal Police for character verification and police clearance reports for all founding board members. After clearing and verifying against national laws, the DAO issues the NGO Certificate of Registration.

Step 4: Social Welfare Council (SWC) Affiliation

To receive foreign grants, execute social projects, or coordinate with international partners, the registered NGO must apply for an affiliation certificate from the Social Welfare Council (SWC).

Step 5: Inland Revenue Department (PAN Registration)

Register the NGO with the local Inland Revenue Office (IRO) to receive a Permanent Account Number (PAN). Executive board members must be physically present for biometric verification at tax registration.

Step 6: Final Local Ward Registration

Present the DAO Certificate, SWC Affiliation Certificate, and IRD PAN Card to the local ward office to complete final operational record-keeping.

Eligibility & Founding Board Requirements

• Minimum Members: A minimum of 7 board members is mandatory.
• Executive Board Composition: Must include 1 President, 1 Vice President, 1 Secretary, 1 Treasurer, and at least 3 Executive Committee Members.
• Citizenship: All founding executive committee members must be Nepalese citizens holding valid citizenship certificates.

Required Documents Checklist for NGO Registration

Ensure you assemble the following documents prior to filing:

• Board Resolution: Signed minutes of the meeting resolving to establish the proposed NGO.
• Draft Constitution (Bidhan): Four copies of the proposed memorandum and articles of association.
• Citizenship Certificates: Certified copies of citizenship cards of all founding board members.
• Passport Photos & Police Reports: Passport-sized photographs and character clearance reports from Nepal Police for all executive members.
• Office Rent Agreement: Signed lease agreement with the property owner along with a copy of the owner's citizenship card and advance rent receipt.
• Ward & DCC Recommendation Letters: Formal approval letters from local municipal authorities.

Annual Compliance & Renewal Requirements

To maintain legal active status, an NGO must complete mandatory annual renewals across multiple government departments:

1. Inland Revenue Department (Tax Clearance): Conduct a yearly financial audit with a licensed auditor, file tax returns, and obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate.
2. District Administration Office (DAO Renewal): Submit the annual audit report, upcoming year work plan, meeting minutes, and tax clearance copy to renew the registration annually.
3. Local Ward Office Renewal: File the tax clearance copy, audit report, and annual program summary with the local ward.
4. Social Welfare Council (SWC Renewal): Submit compliance reports, audit statements, and updated board details every 3 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long does it take to register an NGO in Nepal?

Completing the full registration workflow including ward recommendation, police clearance, DAO registration, SWC affiliation, and PAN issuance typically takes 1 to 2 months.

Q2: What is the minimum number of members required to start an NGO in Nepal?

A minimum of 7 Nepalese citizens is legally required to form the executive board of an NGO under the Association Registration Act, 2034.

Q3: How much does government registration cost for an NGO in Nepal?

Official government application and registration fees typically total approximately NPR 6,000, depending on the specific district and local municipality regulations.

Q4: Can foreign nationals be executive board members of a Nepalese NGO?

Primary executive board members for a locally registered NGO must be Nepalese citizens. Foreign individuals or international bodies wishing to operate in Nepal typically establish an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) branch through agreement with the Social Welfare Council.

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