NGO Registration Process in Nepal

Understanding the NGO registration process in Nepal is essential for establishing a legally compliant non-governmental organization. This guide covers legal requirements, registration steps, required documents, costs, timelines, and post-registration obligations under Nepali law for social welfare organization updated for 2026 A.D.

The NGO registration process in Nepal takes between two to four weeks. Proper registration is mandatory for any organization seeking to operate as an NGO in Nepal.

Steps for NGO Registration in Nepal

• Step 1: Obtaining Consent from District Administration Office
• Step 2: Getting Recommendation Letter from Local Ward Office
• Step 3: Getting Police Clearance Certificate of All Members
• Step 4: Obtaining Approval from District Administration Office
• Step 5: Registration at Inland Revenue Office and Local Ward Office
• Step 6: Receiving Affiliation from Social Welfare Council

What is Non-Profit Registration?

Non-Profit Registration refers to the legal process of establishing a non-governmental organization under the Association Registration Act, 2034 (1977). An NGO is a voluntary, non-profit organization formed by individuals to carry out social welfare activities, community development, humanitarian work, or other public benefit purposes.

The NGO registration process in Nepal involves multiple government authorities including the District Administration Office, Local Ward Office, Inland Revenue Office, and Social Welfare Council. Registered NGO’s open bank accounts, receive funding, enter into contracts, and conduct activities lawfully throughout Nepal.

Where to Register an NGO in Nepal?

The primary authority for NGO registration in Nepal is the District Administration Office (DAO) located in each district headquarters. The DAO operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is responsible for granting initial consent and final registration approval to NGOs. Organizations must approach the DAO in the district where their head office will be located.

After obtaining registration from the DAO, organizations must register with the Inland Revenue Office (IRO) for tax purposes and obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN). NGOs must register with the Local Ward Office.

For organizations seeking to receive foreign funding or work on development projects, affiliation with the Social Welfare Council (SWC) is mandatory. The official website of the Social Welfare Council is https://www.swc.org.np.

What is the Process of Opening NGO in Nepal?

• Step 1: Obtaining Consent from District Administration Office
• Step 2: Getting Recommendation Letter from Local Ward Office
• Step 3: Getting Police Clearance Certificate of All Members
• Step 4: Obtaining Approval from District Administration Office
• Step 5: Registration at Inland Revenue Office and Local Ward Office
• Step 6: Receiving Affiliation from Social Welfare Council

Step 1: Obtaining Consent from District Administration Office

The first step in the NGO registration process in Nepal involves submitting an application to the District Administration Office for name approval and initial consent. The application must include proposed organization name, objectives, founding members’ details, and draft constitution. This process typically takes two working days and requires payment of application fees starting from NPR 2,000 depending on the district.

Step 2: Getting Recommendation Letter from Local Ward Office

After receiving initial consent from the DAO, the organization must obtain a recommendation letter from the Local Ward Office where the NGO’s office will be located. The ward office verifies the physical address, and reviews the organization’s proposed activities. This process usually takes one working day and may involve a site visit by ward officials.

Step 3: Getting Police Clearance Certificate of All Members

All founding members of the NGO must obtain Police Clearance Certificates from the District Police Office. Each member must submit an application with citizenship copies and photographs to the police office through the Online Portal: https://opcr.nepalpolice.gov.np/#/login. The police verification process takes one to two working days.

Step 4: Obtaining Approval from District Administration Office

With the ward recommendation letter and police clearance certificates, the organization submits a complete registration application to the DAO. The application includes the constitution, minutes of the founding meeting, membership list, office address proof, and all supporting documents. Upon satisfaction, the DAO issues the official registration certificate within three working days, legally establishing the NGO.

Step 5: Registration at Inland Revenue Office and Local Ward Office

After DAO registration, the NGO must register with the Inland Revenue Office to obtain a Permanent Account Number for tax purposes. PAN registration is free and enables the organization to conduct financial transactions, open bank accounts, and claim tax exemptions. Simultaneously, the organization must complete registration with the Local Ward Office by paying annual taxes starting from NPR 10,000 depending on the municipality.

Step 6: Receiving Affiliation from Social Welfare Council

The final step for NGOs planning to receive foreign funding or implement development projects is obtaining affiliation from the Social Welfare Council. Organizations must submit their DAO registration certificate, constitution, audit reports, and project proposals to the SWC. The affiliation fee is NPR 3,500 as per the Organization Affiliation Directive, 2071. This process takes five to fifteen working days or up to three months.

What Documents Are Required for NGO Registration in Nepal?

The NGO registration process in Nepal requires the following documents to be prepared and submitted:

• Notarized Citizenship Certificates of all founding members (minimum 7 members)
• Police Clearance Certificates of all founding members (notarized copies)
• Application Letter addressed to the Chief District Officer
• Minutes of Founding Meeting signed by all members
• Constitution of the Organization (in Nepali language, properly formatted)
• Membership List with details of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and other members
• Rent Agreement or ownership documents of office premises
• Land Tax Receipt (Malpot) of the office location
• Citizenship Certificate of the house/office owner
• Letter of Recommendation from Local Ward Office
• Passport-sized Photographs of all founding members

What Are the Requirements for NGO Registration?

The Major Requirements for Registration are minimum of 7 Founding Members with 33% Females. Members must be above the age of 18 years with 1 President, 1 Vice-President, 1 Secretary and 1 Treasurer.

Requirement Category	Specific Requirement
Minimum Members	7 founding members
Gender Composition	Minimum 33% female members
Executive Positions	President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
Additional Members	Minimum 3 other executive members
Criminal Background	No members with criminal records
Age Requirement	Members must be 18 years or above
Citizenship	All members must be Nepali citizens
Residency	No specific residency requirement
Professional Background	No restrictions on profession

How Long Does the NGO Registration Process Take?

The complete NGO registration process in Nepal typically takes between two to four weeks.

Registration Stage	Time Required	Authority
DAO Initial Consent	2 working days	District Administration Office (DAO)
Ward Recommendation	1 working day	Local Ward Office
Police Clearance	1–2 working days	District Police Office
DAO Final Registration	3 working days	District Administration Office (DAO)
IRO PAN Registration	1 working day	Inland Revenue Office (IRO)
Ward Office Registration	1 working day	Local Ward Office
SWC Affiliation	5–15 working days	Social Welfare Council (SWC)
Total Duration	14–25 working days	Multiple Authorities

What Are the Costs Involved in NGO Registration?

The NGO registration process in Nepal involves several fees payable to different government authorities. The total cost varies depending on the district and municipality classification.

Government Fee	Amount (NPR)	Payable To
DAO Application Fee	2,000 – 5,000	District Administration Office
Local Ward Registration	10,000 – 25,000	Local Ward Office
PAN Registration	Free	Inland Revenue Office
SWC Affiliation Fee	3,500	Social Welfare Council

What Are the Post-Registration Requirements for NGOs in Nepal?

After completing the NGO registration process in Nepal, organizations must fulfill ongoing compliance such as:

• Annual Renewal at District Administration Office – NGOs must renew their registration annually by submitting progress reports, audit reports, and updated membership lists to the DAO. This ensures continued legal recognition and compliance monitoring.
• Annual Tax Payment at Local Ward Office – Organizations must pay annual taxes to the Local Ward Office where their office is located. The tax amount varies by municipality classification and must be paid before the fiscal year deadline.
• Annual Renewal of SWC Affiliation – NGOs affiliated with the Social Welfare Council must renew their affiliation annually by submitting project reports, financial statements, and compliance certificates. This is mandatory for organizations receiving foreign funding.
• Annual General Assembly – The constitution must provide for holding annual general assemblies where the Executive Committee presents annual work plans, budgets, and progress reports to general members for approval.
• Non-Profit Audit – NGOs must conduct annual financial audits by registered auditors and submit audit reports to the DAO, Local Ward Office, and SWC as applicable.

What Types of NGOs Can Be Registered in Nepal?

The Association Registration Act and Social Welfare Act allow registration of various types of non-governmental organizations based on their objectives, scope, and operational focus.

NGO Type	Registration Authority	Requirements
Social Welfare Organizations	DAO + Social Welfare Council (SWC)	Must comply with the Social Welfare Act
Educational NGOs	DAO + Ministry of Education	Additional approval from education authorities required
Health NGOs	DAO + Ministry of Health	Health department clearance may be required
Environmental NGOs	DAO + Ministry of Environment	Environmental impact considerations apply
Women’s Organizations	DAO + Ministry of Women	Minimum 51% female membership preferred
Youth Organizations	DAO + Ministry of Youth	Activities must focus on youth development
Disability Organizations	DAO + Ministry of Social Welfare	Representation of persons with disabilities required
Professional Associations	DAO + Relevant Line Ministry	Professional qualification requirements apply
Community-Based Organizations	DAO + Local Government	Strong linkage with local community required
Advocacy Organizations	DAO + Relevant Line Ministry	Clear advocacy objectives must be stated

What Laws Govern NGO Registration in Nepal?

The primary laws and regulations governing NGO registration in Nepal include:

• Association Registration Act, 2034 (1977) – Primary legislation for registering associations and NGOs
• Social Welfare Act, 2049 (1992) – Governs social welfare organizations and their operations
• Social Welfare Regulations, 2049 (1992) – Detailed rules for implementing the Social Welfare Act
• Organization Affiliation Directive, 2071 – Guidelines for SWC affiliation and renewal procedures
• Income Tax Act, 2058 (2002) – Tax exemption provisions for registered NGOs
• Company Act, 2063 (2006) – Applicable provisions for non-profit company structures

What Benefits Does NGO Registration Provide?

NGO registration in Nepal provides numerous legal, operational, and financial benefits:

• Registered NGOs gain legal personality, enabling them to enter contracts, own property, open bank accounts, and sue or be sued in their organizational name.
• Registered NGOs are eligible for income tax exemptions under the Income Tax Act, 2058, reducing their financial burden and allowing more resources for program activities.
• Organizations with DAO registration and SWC affiliation can legally receive foreign grants, donations, and project funding from international donors and development partners.
• Registered NGOs can partner with government agencies, implement government-funded projects, and participate in policy consultations and development planning processes.

What Are the Terms and Conditions for Operating NGO’s in Nepal?

The mandatory terms and conditions as per Clause 5.5 of the Organization Affiliation Directive, 2071 are:

1. The organization must be established solely to carry out social welfare activities.
2. The organization must have an open and general membership system.
3. The constitution must provide for regular, periodic elections of the Executive Committee.
4. An annual general assembly must be held to approve the annual work plan and annual budget submitted by the Executive Committee.
5. The organization must submit annual progress reports, audit reports, and renewed registration certificate copies to the concerned local authority and District Administration Office.
6. The constitution must allow motions of no-confidence against office bearers or members, with a fair opportunity for clarification or defense.
7. If a no-confidence motion is passed, provisions must exist to form an alternative ad-hoc committee or appoint replacement office bearers and members.
8. All general and life members must have the right to participate directly or indirectly in elections at all levels, subject to prescribed eligibility periods.
9. In organizations with multiple branches or levels, lower-level elections must be completed before conducting higher-level elections, and profit distribution is prohibited.
10. Office bearers shall not receive regular salaries, except project-based remuneration, and the organization must operate a bank account requiring the treasurer’s signature.

Obtaining NGO Registration Service in Nepeal

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