The Order of precedence of Nepal is the protocol list (hierarchy) in which the functionaries and officials are listed according to their rank and office in the Government of Nepal. As the country embraces federalism, the government finalized a new order of precedence in April 2019.[1] The earlier order of precedence was revised by adjusting some key positions, mainly with the provincial administrations in place. The President is at the top of protocol, followed by the Vice President and then the Prime Minister.[2]
Order of Precedence (since 2019)
Source: Nepal Gazette (published 29 April 2019)[3]
From the start of the parliamentary monarchy system in 1990 until the abolition of the monarchy in 2007, a different Order of precedence was in force in Nepal, one which gave more precedence to royal family members and career bureaucrats and Army officers over that of Members of Parliament.
The Queen Mother (surviving wife of the former King)
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess
3
Siblings of the King and next-in-line to Crown Prince
4
Children of the King
Children of the Crown Prince
5
Children of the siblings of the King
6
Parents and siblings of the Queen consort
Parents and siblings of the Crown Princess
7
Parents and siblings of the spouses of the siblings of the King
Parents and siblings of the Queen Mother
8
Spouses of the children of the King
9
Spouses of the children of the Crown Prince and the siblings of the King
10
Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
Chief Justice
11
Speaker of the Parliament
Cabinet ministers of His Majesty's Government
12
Justices of the Supreme Court
Attorney General
Cabinet Secretary
Chief of Army Staff of the Royal Nepal Army
Chief Secretary of His Majesty's Government
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament
13
Deputy and Assistant ministers of His Majesty's Government
Chief Judges of Regional Appellate Courts
Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank
Lieutenant Generals/General Commanding Officers of the Royal Nepal Army
Additional Cabinet Secretaries/Ministry Heads of Civil Service
Director General of the Royal Nepal Police
Director General of the Royal Nepal Armed Police Force
14
Members of Parliament
Judges of Regional Appellate Courts
Ambassadors of the Republic of India and People's Republic of China
Deputy Attorney General
Major Generals of the Royal Nepal Army
Additional/Principal Secretaries of Government departments/Chief Regional Officers
Additional Director-Generals of Royal Nepal Police and Armed Police
15
Other Foreign Ambassadors to Nepal
Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Nepalese Ambassadors to foreign countries
Registrar of the Supreme Court
16
Joint Secretaries of Civil Service/Chief Zonal Officers
Brigadier Generals of the Royal Nepal Army
Inspectors General/Zonal Police Officers of the Royal Nepal Police and Armed Police
Defence Attaché of Republic of India and People's Republic of China
17
Colonel of the Royal Nepal Army
Deputy Secretaries of Civil Service/Chief District Officers
Senior Superintendents of Police/Battalion Commanders/Chief District Police Officers of the Royal Nepal Police and Armed Police Force
Chairmen of municipalities and village councils
Order of Precedence (2013–2018)
This order was endorsed by government in Feb 2013. The earlier order was made in 1990 following the restoration of democracy in which PM was in the 10th position after the members of the then royal family. But after the declaration of republic in 2008 there was absence of such state protocol for over four years.[4][5][6]