Nepal is administratively divided into seven provinces, with districts forming the second level of governance under these provinces. In total, there are 77 districts across the country. Each district is further subdivided into smaller administrative units called municipalities and rural municipalities, which ensure governance and development reach local communities.
Before 2015, Nepal’s administrative structure was simpler, with only one layer of district-level governance. However, the introduction of the federal system in the Constitution of Nepal 2015 led to the restructuring of administrative boundaries to balance power and resources between central, provincial, and local governments.
This restructuring affected certain districts significantly. For example, Nawalparasi and Rukum, two larger districts, were split into smaller administrative units. Nawalparasi was divided into Nawalpur (in Province 4) and Parasi (in Province 5), while Rukum was split into East Rukum (in Province 5) and West Rukum (in Province 6). These changes aimed to address governance challenges, improve resource allocation, and enhance accessibility to government services.
This new federal structure empowers provinces and local governments, fostering development and self-reliance. It also ensures that local communities have a greater say in decision-making, aligning with Nepal’s goal of inclusive and participatory governance.
