Nepal Police

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.

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)

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

During the period 1951–1990

When Nepal began to have more democratic government after the Rana leaders left, the main office for the police was set up in Kathmandu in 1952. 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 closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs and is chosen by the Government of Nepal to serve for four years. In some cases, leaders have served longer, up to six years.

Organizational structure

Nepal Police is organized into different branches and special groups to meet the country's many security, investigation, and management needs. There are four Bureaus and five Departments at the Police Headquarters that help carry out the work of Nepal Police. These groups work to keep people safe, enforce laws, and handle new dangers in both cities and countryside areas.

Core Operational Branches

The Nepal Police has several important 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 several special teams that focus on different important jobs. One team, called the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), looks into big cases. Another team, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), works to stop illegal drugs. The Anti Human Trafficking Bureau (AHTB) helps protect people from being moved or sold against their will. There is also a Cyber Bureau that deals with online safety and security.

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 different groups that help keep people safe and maintain order. Some of these groups work in local areas, while others focus on special tasks like investigations, traffic, and training.

There are police officers who work in every one of Nepal's 77 districts, as well as in big cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Other groups focus on investigating crimes, managing traffic, and providing security for important people. There are also special units trained for difficult situations, like dealing with crowds or helping in emergencies. The police also have teams that teach others important skills and help keep the community safe through outreach and events.

List of Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGPs)

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

Nepal Police Hospital

The Nepal Police Hospital was started by the late king Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on the 27th of Chaitra, 2040 BS. It provides free health services to police officers, their families, and retired officers and their spouses. The hospital began with basic services and has grown over time. It receives funding from the government and also has a trust to help cover extra costs for special cases.

National Police Academy

Main article: National Police Academy of Nepal

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

Nepal Police School

Research and Planning Directorate

The Research and Planning Directorate of Nepal Police was set up in 1987. It studies ways to improve the police and creates plans based on its findings. There are 17 research and planning sections across the country to support this work.

Uniform

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

For situations where they need to control crowds, 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. Recently, three new ranks were added: Senior Sub Inspector (SSI), Senior Head Constable (SHC), and Assistant Head Constable (AHC).

Weapons and Equipments