Nepal's Political Division: Important Notes for Loksewa, Bank, and Corporation Exams
1. Provinces of Nepal
Nepal is divided into 7 provinces under the Constitution of Nepal 2015, each with its own unicameral Provincial Assembly and government:
- Koshi Province: 14 districts, 56 FPTP seats, capital: Biratnagar.
- Madhesh Province: 8 districts, 64 FPTP seats, capital: Janakpur.
- Bagmati Province: 13 districts, 66 FPTP seats, capital: Hetauda.
- Gandaki Province: 11 districts, 36 FPTP seats, capital: Pokhara.
- Lumbini Province: 12 districts, 52 FPTP seats, capital: Deukhuri.
- Karnali Province: 10 districts, 24 FPTP seats, capital: Birendranagar.
- Sudurpashchim Province: 9 districts, 32 FPTP seats, capital: Godawari.
Key Notes: Total provincial seats: 550 (330 FPTP, 220 PR). Women must constitute one-third of elected members. Established under Article 176.
2. Districts of Nepal
Nepal has 77 districts, serving as primary administrative units under provinces, coordinated by District Coordination Committees (DCCs).
- DCCs include a chief, deputy chief, and nine members (at least three women, one from Dalit/minority communities).
- Districts facilitate coordination between local and provincial governments.
- Notable restructuring: Nawalparasi split into Nawalpur and Parasi in 2015.
Key Notes: DCCs elected for 5 years, monitor development activities.
3. House of Representatives Constituencies
The House of Representatives has 275 members elected for 5 years:
- 165 seats: Elected via first-past-the-post (FPTP) from single-member constituencies.
- 110 seats: Elected via proportional representation (PR) nationwide.
- Constituencies fixed by the Constituency Delimitation Commission (August 31, 2017) until 2037.
- Last election: November 20, 2022; first session: January 9, 2023.
Key Notes: Operates from International Convention Centre, Kathmandu.
4. Local Levels
Nepal has 753 local levels, categorized as:
- 6 Metropolitan Cities
- 11 Sub-Metropolitan Cities
- 276 Municipalities
- 460 Rural Municipalities
Each local level has a Village or Municipal Executive with 22 powers (Schedule 8). District Assemblies elect DCCs for coordination.
Key Notes: Local elections in May 2022 were free and fair.
5. Exam-Focused Notes
- Federal Structure: Established in 2008, formalized in 2015. Three tiers: federal, provincial, local.
- Elections: Parallel voting for House and provincial assemblies; single transferable vote for National Assembly; FPTP for local levels.
- Gender Quota: One-third women representation mandatory.
- Key Dates: Constitution enacted: September 20, 2015; House election: November 20, 2022; Local election: May 2022.
- Historical Context: Pre-2015, Nepal had 5 development regions, replaced by federal structure.
6. Exam Preparation Tips
- Study Articles 56, 176, and 86 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015.
- Memorize: 7 provinces, 77 districts, 753 local levels, 275 House seats.
- Understand FPTP and PR systems and gender quotas.
- Review past Loksewa questions and follow current affairs via Loksewa Diary.
For more detailed explanations, watch our daily video classes on Loksewa Diary. Subscribe and leave your feedback in the comment box!
