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First Young HRDs Conclave 2026 Concluded
Digital Rights Nepal, along with INSEC, National Youth Council, Visible Impact and ROYM Nepal, successfully concluded the 1st Young Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Conclave 2026, held on May 1-2, 2026, under the theme “Youth as Actors of Change for Human Rights.”
The two-day national conclave brought together approximately 250 young human rights defenders from 70 districts across Nepal, including youth advocates, students, representatives from marginalized communities, and emerging leaders, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue, Opening the event, Lily Thapa of the National Human Rights Commission Nepal emphasized the role of youth and committed to publishing the Gen Z protest report.
The program featured thematic sessions on Business and Human Rights, Environmental and Climate Justice, and Digital Literacy and Cybersecurity, facilitated by Digital Rights Nepal and other partner organizations, alongside a high-level panel on the effectiveness of constitutional commissions.A key outcome was the Young HRDs Declaration, developed through group discussions, outlining shared priorities and actions. The conclave concluded with Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari presenting recommendations to national stakeholders.
The organizers call upon government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector to collaborate and support this initiative. The conclave marks an important step toward strengthening Nepal’s human rights ecosystem and amplifying youth voices in building a more just, inclusive, and accountable society. |
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ICT Sector Expected to Outpace Nepal’s Economic Growth
Nepal’s information and communication sector is projected to grow by 5.53% in fiscal year 2082/83, surpassing the national GDP growth rate of 3.85% by 1.68 percentage points, according to the National Statistics Office. This marks a steady improvement from 4.88% in 2081/82 and 4.91% in 2080/81. The prediction is driven by the expansion of computer programming, information services, Internet service providers (ISPs), and increasing wireless communication services, highlighting its growing role as a key contributor to the country’s economic progress. Nepal Releases 2083 Economic Status Report
The government has published the “Economic Situation of Nepal-2083,” outlining the country’s economic, social, and administrative conditions. The report highlights a shift toward a digital and technology-driven economy, with strong emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, information technology services, digital entrepreneurship, and business process outsourcing (BPO). These sectors are identified as high-value, low-capital areas that can connect Nepal’s youth to global markets and create new employment opportunities. Alongside digital transformation, Nepal’s major economic potential areas identified include hydropower development, tourism, modernized agriculture, industrial expansion, and remittance utilization for productive investment.
It also chronicles challenges such as slow growth, low private investment, unemployment, import dependency, and weak implementation capacity. The government aims for around 7% annual economic growth, with plans to significantly expand electricity production, strengthen digital economy systems, and improve implementation capacity to support long-term economic transformation. Digital Shift in Nepal’s Civil Service Reform
The draft Federal Civil Service Bill, 2083 aims to modernize Nepal’s civil service by making it more technology-driven, transparent, and efficient. It proposes the creation of a dedicated Nepal Information Technology Service to bring all IT-related personnel under one specialized group. The bill emphasizes IT-based governance, including digital systems for performance evaluation, transfers, promotions, recruitment, and administrative processes, along with electronic submission of promotion applications. It also introduces e-office systems, electronic signatures, and secure digital records for civil servants and rules on social media engagement of civil servants. The government has invited public feedback on the draft within seven days. Key Highlights of Proposed Ride-Hailing Regulations
The Government of Nepal is preparing to introduce the Digital Mobility Service Operation Standards, 2082 to regulate ride-hailing platforms like Pathao, InDrive, and Yango. The draft proposes a cap of 10% commission for app-based companies that do not own vehicles, along with fixed fare limits, NPR 25 per km for two-wheelers and NPR 55 per km for four-wheelers, with a minimum fare equivalent to 2 km. Surge pricing of up to 20% is allowed during nighttime, bad weather, or return trips without passengers. The standards also emphasize data localization, requiring service providers to host servers within Nepal and prioritize the use of domestic map systems. To enhance accountability and safety, The Standards require all ride-sharing vehicles to display QR code stickers containing detailed driver and vehicle information, valid for one year. RPP Leader Arrested in e-Bidding System Manipulation Case
Vikram Pandey, senior vice president of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and businessman Tank Kumar Shrestha have been arrested for allegedly hacking and manipulating the government’s e-procurement (e-GP) system. According to Nepal Police Central Investigation Bureau, they altered tender documents to gain favorable contracts. Authorities are investigating the case under the Electricity Transaction Act and Organized Crime Prevention Act, with 9 individuals detained so far. Nepal Mandates Digital Ticketing for Public Transport
Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has issued a draft guideline requiring all medium, long, and short-distance public transport operators to adopt mandatory online ticketing systems. The guidelines requires the system to support both Nepali and English interfaces, integration of online payment without extra charges imposed on passengers. The Department of Transport Management may provide technical support for implementation if needed. |
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Digital Rights Weekly is a week-based update on Digital Rights and ICT issues, that happened throughout the week, compiled and analyzed from the digital rights perspective by Digital Rights Nepal (DRN). DRN is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to the protection and promotion of digital rights, including the right to online freedom of expression and association, online privacy, access to information, and related issues such as internet governance, cyber laws/policies, and cyber securities in Nepal. |
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