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 February 2018. 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 the Prime Minister.[1]
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 spouse
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 King's Spouse
Parents and siblings of the spouse of the Crown Prince
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 of Nepal
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 Officers Commanding 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 SAARC
Nepalese ambassadors to foreign coutries
Supreme Court Registrar
16
Joint Secretaries of Civil Service/Chief Zonal Officers
Brigadier General of the Royal Nepal Army
Inspector Generals/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.[3][4][5]
Order
Position
1
President
2
Vice President
3
Prime Minister
4
Chief Justice
5
Speaker
6
Former Presidents
Deputy Prime Ministers
7
Ministers
Leader of the Opposition Party
Former Vice-Presidents
Former Prime Ministers
Former Chief Justices
Deputy Speaker
8
State Ministers
Presidents of Parliamentary Committees
9
Vice-chair of National Planning Commission
Chancellors of Academies
10
Supreme Court Justices
Members of Judicial Council
11
Assistant Ministers
12
Members of Parliament
13
Chief Commissioner, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority
Auditor General, Office of the Auditor General
Chairman, Public Service Commission
Chief Commissioner, Election Commission
Chairman, National Human Rights Commission
Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General
Chief Secretary
Chief of Army Staff
General Secretary of Parliament Secretariat
14
Chief Justices of Appellate Courts
Members of National Planning Commission
Members of Constitutional Bodies
Governor of Central Bank of Nepal
Vice-Chancellors of Universities
15
Government Secretaries
Special Class Officers
Foreign Ambassadors to Nepal
Secretary General of SAARC
Nepalese Ambassadors to foreign countries
Supreme Court Register
Deputy Attorneys General
Appellate Court Justices
16
Lieutenant Generals of Nepal Army
Chief of Nepal Police
Chief of Armed Police Force
Chief of Department of National Intelligence
UN Residential Coordinator
17
Major Generals of Nepal Army
Additional Inspector Generals of Nepal Police
Additional Inspector Generals of Armed Police Force
Deputy Chief Investigation Officers of Department of National Intelligence
18
Presidents of District Development Committees
Chiefs of Metropolitan Cities
19
Joint Secretaries
First-class gazetted officials
Director Generals
District Court Judges
Chiefs of Sub-Metropolitan Cities
Mayors
Vice-Presidents of District Development Committees
Deputy Mayors
20
Consul Generals
Chiefs of Public Services Utilities
21
Brigadier Generals of Nepal Army
Deputy Inspector Generals of Nepal Police
Deputy Inspector Generals of Armed Police Force
Deputy Inspector Generals of Intelligence Department
22
Colonels of Nepal Army
Senior Superintendents of Nepal Police
Senior Superintendents of Armed Police Force
Senior Superintendents of Intelligence Department
23
Under Secretaries
Directors of Various Government Entities
Second-class Gazetted Officials
24
Lieutenant Colonels of Nepal Army
Superintendents of Nepal Police
Superintendents of Armed Police Force
Superintendents of Intelligence Department
25
Majors of Nepal Army
Deputy Superintendents of Nepal Police
Deputy Superintendents of Armed Police Force
Chairpersons of Village Development Committees
26
Captains of Nepal Army
Section Officers
Vice-Chairpersons of Village Development Committees