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Nepal Police

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Traffic controllers managing busy streets in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The Nepal Police (Nepali: नेपाल प्रहरी, romanized: Nēpāl praharī) is the main national law enforcement agency of Nepal. It works under the Ministry of Home Affairs and has an important job: keeping law and order and helping to stop crimes. The police also look into crimes to find out what happened and who might be responsible, following the rules set by the Constitution of Nepal.

Traffic police in Kathmandu is challenging for the officers due to high pollution in the city

Besides these main duties, Nepal Police has many other important tasks. They protect important people, manage traffic, help during disasters, and even take part in special ceremonies. They also work on keeping important places safe and gathering information to help keep everyone secure.

Right now, the Nepal Police is led by Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki. He became the leader on 13 November 2025, making him the 33rd person to hold this important position. The Nepal Police plays a big role in keeping Nepal safe and orderly.

History

Before the Rana Regime (1864–1951 AD)

When the Rana leaders were in charge, there were not many organized police services. Small groups like Milisiya and Thana police Chakki were created, and they helped form what we now know as the Nepal Police.

During the period 1951–1990

After the Rana leaders left, Nepal started having more democratic government. In 1952, the main office for the police was set up in Kathmandu. Toran Shamsher J.B. Rana became the first leader of the police. Important rules for the police were made in 1955 and 1959.

The country tried different ways of government, including a system called Panchayat starting in 1960. In 1963, a training center for police was created.

1990–present

In 1990, people in Nepal worked to bring back a government where many parties could take part. A new rule book for the country was created in 1991. Efforts were made to update the police to match what people wanted and the way the country was now run. In 1991, some police from Nepal helped the United Nations with their work. Since then, many police have taken part in such international missions.

Today, the Nepal Police has many officers and offices all across the country. The current leader of the police is Dan Bahadur Karki.

Head of Nepal Police

Main article: Inspector General of Police (Nepal)

The Nepal Police is led by the Inspector General of Police of Nepal. This leader works with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The leader is chosen by the Government of Nepal and serves for four years. Sometimes, leaders serve longer, up to six years.

Organizational structure

Nepal Police has different groups to help keep people safe and enforce laws. There are four Bureaus and five Departments at the Police Headquarters. These groups work in cities and the countryside to meet the country's security and investigation needs.

Core Operational Branches

The Nepal Police has several groups that help keep the country safe. One group is the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, which looks after traffic in the Kathmandu Valley. Another is the Metropolitan Police Range, which handles police work in the same area.

There are also Provincial Police Offices for each of Nepal’s provinces, including Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim. Finally, every district has its own District Police Office to manage local safety and order.

Specialized Units (Bureaus)

The Nepal Police has special teams for important jobs. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) looks into big cases. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) works to stop illegal drugs. The Anti Human Trafficking Bureau (AHTB) helps protect people. There is also a Cyber Bureau for online safety.

Departments

Nepal Police has several departments that help it do its job. These include the Administration Department, Human Resource Development Department, Province Coordination Department, Operation Department, and Crime Investigation Department.

In the Crime Investigation Department, there is a special unit called the Central Polygraph Section. This section started on February 6, 2014, and helps check if people are telling the truth during investigations.

Types of Nepal Police Personnel

The Nepal Police have many groups that help keep people safe. Some work in local areas, while others do special tasks like investigations and traffic.

Riot police during Jana andolan

There are police officers in every one of Nepal's 77 districts, and in big cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Other groups investigate crimes, manage traffic, and protect important people. There are also special units for difficult situations, like helping in emergencies. The police also teach important skills and help keep the community safe through events.

List of Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGPs)

These departments are led by an Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP) or a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP). Important offices like the National Police Academy and the Metropolitan Police Office are also managed by an Additional Inspector General of Police.

Nepal Police Hospital

The Nepal Police Hospital was started by King Birendra on the 27th of Chaitra, 2040 BS. It gives free health services to police officers, their families, and retired officers and their spouses. The hospital began with simple services and has grown over time. It gets money from the government and also has a trust to help with special cases.

National Police Academy

Main article: National Police Academy of Nepal

The National Police Academy of Nepal is the main place where police officers train. It offers basic and advanced training programs. The academy helps develop police leaders, prepares trainers, and works with universities. It also organizes events and does research to improve policing.

Nepal Police School

Research and Planning Directorate

The Research and Planning Directorate of Nepal Police was started in 1987. It studies ways to make the police better and makes plans based on what it learns. There are 17 research and planning sections across the country to help with this work.

AIGP NameDepartment/ BureauFunction
Uma Prassad ChaturvediOperations DepartmentCoordinates field operations, riot control, and tactical deployments
Sushil Singh RathoreCrime Investigation Department Oversees criminal investigations nationwide
Rajan AdhikariHuman Resource Department Manages personnel, recruitment, and administrative affairs
Himalayan Kumar ShresthaAdministration DepartmentLeads traffic regulation and enforcement across Nepal
Dambar Bahadur BKProvince Coordination DepartmentLeads traffic regulation and enforcement across Nepal
Siddhi Bikram ShahNational Police AcademyResponsible for strategic leadership training and curriculum development
Ishwor KarkiKathmandu Valley PoliceMaintains law and order in Kathmandu Valley
Manoj Kumar KCCentral Investigation BureauFocuses on high-profile and organized crime investigations
PurposedNarcotics Control BureauHandles drug-related crimes and international coordination
Tribhuvan Int'l Airport SecurityAirport perimeter and terminal security and safety

Uniform

The Nepal Police has uniforms for warm and cold weather. Regular officers wear a light blue shirt and navy blue pants. Junior officers wear a special hat called a beret. Higher-ranked officers wear a peaked cap, and the most senior officers have braids on their caps.

For crowd control, the Special Task Force Police wear blue camouflage uniforms and ball caps. In winter, they add a blue jacket or sweater to stay warm.

Rank insignia

The Nepal Police has fourteen different ranks for its officers. Three new ranks were added recently: Senior Sub Inspector (SSI), Senior Head Constable (SHC), and Assistant Head Constable (AHC).

प्रहरी महानिरीक्षक

Prahārī Mahānirīkr̥ṣak
प्रहरी अतिरिक्त महानिरीक्षक

Prahārī Atirikt Mahānirīkr̥ṣak
प्रहरी नायव महानिरीक्षक

Prahārī Nāyava Mahānirīkr̥ṣak
प्रहरी वरिष्ठ उपरीक्षक

Prahārī Varishṭ Uparīkṣak
प्रहरी उपरीक्षक

Prahārī Uparīkṣak
प्रहरी नायव उपरीक्षक

Prahārī Nāyava Uparīkṣak
प्रहरी निरीक्षक

Prahārī Nirīkṣak
Two-star pips, crossed Khukuri and police baton within a wreath of Lotus leavesOne-star pip, crossed Khukuri and police baton within a wreath of Lotus leavesCrossed Khukuri and police baton within a wreath of Lotus leavesThree stars pips with crossed Khukuri and police batonTwo stars pips with crossed Khukuri and police batonOne-star pip, crossed Khukuri and police batonCrossed Khukuri and police baton
Inspector General (IGP)Additional Inspector General (AIG)Deputy Inspector General (DIG)Senior Superintendent (SSP)Superintendent (SP)Deputy Superintendent (DSP)Inspector (INSP)
प्रहरी वरिष्ठ नायव निरीक्षक

Prahārī Varishṭ Nāyava Nirīkṣak
प्रहरी नायव निरीक्षक

Prahārī Nāyava Nirīkṣak
प्रहरी सहायक निरीक्षक

Prahārī Sahāyak Nirīkṣak
प्रहरी वरिष्ठ हवल्दार

Prahārī Varishṭ Havaladār
प्रहरी हवल्दार

Prahārī Havaladār
प्रहरी सहायक हवल्दार

Prahārī Sahāyak Havaladār
प्रहरी जवान

Prahārī Jwān
Three star pipsTwo star pipsOne star pipThree chevrons on the shoulder with a yellow shoulder strapThree chevrons on shoulderTwo chevrons on shoulderA red and yellow shoulder strap
Senior Sub Inspector (SSI)Sub Inspector (SI)Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI)Police Senior Head Constable (SHC)Police Head Constable (HC)Police Assistant Head Constable (AHC)Police Constable (PC)

Weapons and Equipments

The Nepal Police use many tools to keep people safe. They have special uniforms and badges. They also carry tools to help them do their jobs, like radios for communication and vehicles for travel. Some officers have items that help them manage crowds or protect themselves, but these are used only when needed and follow strict rules to ensure safety.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Nepal Police, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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