Future of IT in Nepal: Why Students Should Study It
Here, a detailed, research-based and solution-oriented article is presented on the future of Nepal’s Information Technology (IT) sector and why students should choose this field.
We are living in a time when, after “food, clothing and shelter,” “internet and data” have become basic human needs. The world is in the phase of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, whose main fuel is Information Technology (IT). But the real question is not where the world is heading; the real question is whether Nepal is participating in this race.
While you are reading this article, a 22-year-old sitting somewhere in Nepal may be writing code for a company in Silicon Valley, USA, and his monthly income may be higher than that of a special-class government employee in Nepal. This is not a fictional story; this is Nepal’s “new reality” of 2022–2024.
According to the 2023 report of the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), Nepal exported IT services worth about 515 million US dollars (around 68 billion rupees) in 2022 alone. This figure shows that, after tourism and hydropower, IT is becoming the third major pillar supporting Nepal’s economy.
In this article, we will not dwell on emotional talk, but analyse, on the basis of concrete data, research and ground realities, why today’s Nepali students should dream of becoming “IT professionals” and not only doctors or engineers.
Current State of the IT Sector in Nepal
Before deciding to study any subject, it is necessary to understand its market and future. Nepal’s IT sector is now crossing “adolescence” and entering “youth.”
a) Market Size and Growth
In the last decade, there has been a surge in software companies in Nepal. Companies such as F1Soft (developer of eSewa), Cotiviti (health data analytics) and Leapfrog Technology, established around 2004, have already proved that world-class work can be done from Nepal.
Export trade: The 515 million dollar export shown in the IIDS report combines earnings from official channels and freelancers. This amount is about 1.4% of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Employment: At present, more than 66,000 IT professionals are working in Nepal. This includes both full-time employees and freelancers (gig workers).
Government policy: Through the budget of fiscal year 2081/82, the Government of Nepal has declared the coming ten years as the “Information Technology Decade” (IT Decade). Its target is to reach 300 billion rupees in IT service exports and create 500,000 direct jobs in ten years.
b) Presence of Global Companies
Nepal is no longer only a cheap labor market; it is becoming a “talent hub.”
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Cotiviti Nepal: Billions of records of American healthcare data are analysed from Nepal.
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Fusemachines: Working in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), this company is training Nepali students in AI and sending them to the global market.
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CloudFactory: By providing data processing work to thousands of young people, it has established the concept of “digital labour.”
These examples confirm that you no longer need to go abroad to find opportunities; opportunities are being created within Nepal itself.
Identifying the Problem: Traditional Education and Unemployment
There is a contradiction in Nepal’s education sector. On one hand, thousands of graduates from Tribhuvan University are on the “unemployed” list; on the other hand, Nepali IT companies are complaining, “We could not find people.”
Where is the problem?
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Skill gap: Traditional colleges are still teaching curricula that are 10 years old, while technology changes every six months.
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Obsession with government jobs: Many parents and students still consider “public service” or “banking” as the only secure future. However, if we look at the data, there is a vast difference between the limited opportunities in government jobs and the limitless potential of the IT sector.
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Brain drain: After +2, there is a wave of students going to Australia or America. But many people do not have deep knowledge about the path (IT) through which they can earn in dollars while staying in Nepal itself.
The practical solution to this problem is “practical and skill-based IT education.”
Why Should Students Study IT? (The Core Argument)
If you are a student or a parent, here are five concrete reasons to choose the IT sector. These reasons are based on research and market trends, not on emotion.
1. High Earning Potential
Compared to other sectors in Nepal, the salary increment rate in IT is higher.
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Entry level: A recent graduate with good skills can earn a starting salary of 25,000 to 50,000 rupees per month in Nepal.
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Mid-level: After 2–3 years of experience, this salary can reach 60,000 to 120,000 rupees.
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Senior level: Software engineers or solution architects with more than 5 years of experience can earn 200,000 to 500,000 rupees per month while staying in Nepal.
Data source: Various Nepali job portals (MeroJob, Kumari Job) and PayScale data for 2024/25.
2. Access to the Global Market (Global Remote Work)
The biggest advantage of studying IT is that “geography does not limit you.” Whether you live in Damak of Jhapa or Manma of Kalikot, if you have a laptop, internet and skills, you can work for companies in America or Europe.
After COVID-19, the culture of “remote work” has grown. Through platforms such as Upwork, Toptal and Fiverr, Nepali youth are earning between 20 and 100 dollars per hour.
3. Low Investment, High Return (Low Barrier to Entry)
Becoming a doctor can cost 5–6 million rupees. Becoming a pilot can cost even more. But to become an IT professional, a mid-range laptop and an internet connection are enough.
A college degree is important, but in IT “What can I do?” (portfolio) sells more than “Where did I study?” (certificate). Many people have built careers by studying through Coursera, Udemy and YouTube.
4. Opportunities for Entrepreneurship
There is no need to mention only examples like Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates. In Nepal itself, platforms such as Pathao (Nepal branch), Khalti, eSewa and Hamrobazar were started by young people.
IT is a field where a small idea can make life easier for millions of people and can turn you into an entrepreneur very quickly.
5. Future-Proof Careers
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking away many jobs, but who creates and runs that AI? They are IT engineers.
Therefore, the risk of losing jobs is lower in IT; instead, there is the opportunity to keep learning new technologies and move forward.
IT Education in Nepal: What to Study? Where to Study?
Students who want to study IT in Nepal now have many options. But it is important to understand which course is suitable for whom.
1. B.Sc. CSIT (Tribhuvan University)
BSc CSIT Target group: Students who have studied +2 Science and want to understand core computer concepts (algorithms, mathematics).
Key features: This course is similar to an international-level “Computer Science” degree. It has strong practical and theoretical components.
Career paths: Software engineer, data scientist, AI researcher.
2. BIT / BCA (TU, Purbanchal, Pokhara University)
Target group: Students from management or other faculties who are interested in IT.
Key features:
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BCA (Bachelor in Computer Application) focuses more on application development.
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BIT (Bachelor in Information Technology) provides a mix of networking, systems and management.
Career paths: Web developer, app developer, network administrator, IT manager.
3. BE Computer (Engineering)
Target group: Those who want to understand the integration of hardware and software and who want the “engineer” title.
Key features: This course is relatively difficult and more mathematical. It provides knowledge of robotics, embedded systems and hardware-level computing.
4. Colleges Affiliated with Foreign Universities
There are many colleges in Nepal affiliated with British, Malaysian and American universities (such as Islington, Softwarica, The British College, etc.).
Advantages: Three-year courses, updated syllabi and direct foreign degrees.
Disadvantages: Compared to public universities, the fees can be higher.
6. Attractive Career Paths Within IT (Career Roadmap)
Saying “I will study IT” is like saying “I will become a doctor”—but which doctor? There are hundreds of branches within IT. Here we discuss the main pathways that currently have scope in Nepal.
a) Software Development
This is the most popular field. It includes building websites (web) and mobile apps (Android/iOS).
Demand: About 90% of IT companies in Nepal need developers.
Skills: Python, JavaScript (React, Node.js), Java, Flutter.
b) Data Science and AI
This field focuses on analysing data and predicting the future.
Demand: Companies such as Cotiviti and Fusemachines are investing heavily in this area.
Skills: Python, machine learning, statistics, SQL.
c) Cybersecurity
With the growing risk of hacking in digital banking and government servers, the demand for “ethical hackers” and security experts has risen sharply.
Skills: Network security, cryptography, Linux, ethical hacking.
d) QA (Quality Assurance) / Testing
This work focuses on finding bugs in software. No software goes to market without this work.
Skills: Automation testing (Selenium), manual testing.
e) Digital Marketing and Design (UI/UX)
This is excellent for those who do not want to write code but still want to work in IT.
UI/UX: Designing how an app or website looks and how users will interact with it.
Challenges and Realities
As an expert, it would be dishonest to mention only the good sides. Students must also understand the challenges they may face when entering the IT sector in Nepal.
Infrastructure issues:
Although load-shedding has ended, internet stability is still a major problem. Saying “the internet went down” can be embarrassing when meeting with foreign clients. High-speed fibre internet is still not available everywhere outside Kathmandu.
Policy hurdles:
The government sometimes shuts down social media (for example, banning TikTok or enforcing strict rules on other platforms) and sometimes introduces unclear tax rules on freelancers’ dollar accounts. This creates difficulties when working with international clients. NAS-IT (Nepal Association for Software and IT Services Companies) has repeatedly warned the government that such policies could harm IT exports.
Brain drain and shortage of manpower:
Companies struggle to retain senior developers. After 3–4 years of experience, many young professionals migrate to Europe or America. As a result, there is a constant shortage of “mid-level” and “senior” manpower in Nepal.
Health issues:
Spending the whole day in front of a computer often leads to back pain, weak eyesight and mental stress (burnout) among IT professionals.
8. Expert Advice and Action Plan for Students
If you are currently in grades 11–12 or have just started your bachelor’s, follow this roadmap to become a successful IT professional.
Step 1: Do Not Rely Only on College
No matter which college you attend in Nepal, the syllabus alone will not get you a job. College gives you a certificate; you must learn skills yourself. Start learning coding from the first semester through YouTube, Coursera and FreeCodeCamp.
Step 2: Improve Your English (Communication Skills)
No matter how good your code is, if you cannot explain your work to an American client, your value decreases. In IT, “technical skill” is 50% and “communication skill” is the other 50%.
Step 3: Build a Portfolio
When applying for jobs, do not just say, “I know this.” Show, “This is what I have built.” While still in college, build 2–3 projects (websites, apps or small games) and upload them to GitHub.
Step 4: Networking and Community
In Kathmandu, tech-related meetups (such as WordPress Nepal, Python Nepal, AWS User Group) are held almost every week. Attend these events and get to know senior brothers and sisters. In Nepal, about 80% of jobs are obtained through references.
Step 5: Patience
The first six months are difficult. Code does not run; errors appear. But do not give up. IT is a journey of “lifelong learning.”
Future Projections: What Will Happen in the Next Five Years?
In my analysis, the following changes will be seen in Nepal’s IT sector over the next five years:
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Outsourcing hub: As India and the Philippines become more expensive, the world will increasingly see Nepal as an “affordable and quality” IT destination.
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Implementation of the Digital Nepal Framework: Once government services (citizenship, licences, land revenue, etc.) become fully digital, there will be a large demand for IT manpower within the country itself.
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Startup ecosystem: Small startups founded by today’s students will grow into large companies, creating thousands of jobs.
Conclusion
In the end, the IT sector has already proven wrong the narrative that “nothing can be achieved while staying in Nepal.” If you have determination, a habit of continuous learning and a problem-solving mindset, the IT sector can give you recognition, income and respect.
This is not just a job. It is a path that connects you to the world and allows you to contribute directly to the economic transformation of Nepal.
Therefore, dear students, if you want to sit in the driving seat of the future, study IT, build skills and show the world what Nepal is capable of.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1: Mathematics is difficult for me. Can I still study IT?
Yes. Some IT fields (such as data science, AI and game development) require more mathematics, but general mathematics is enough in many areas like web development, design and networking. Logic is important, not calculus.
2: Do I have to study Science to study IT?
No. Courses such as BCA and BIT are open to students who studied management or humanities. Your background is less important than your passion.
3: Can I go abroad after studying IT in Nepal?
Yes, you can. IT degrees from TU or KU in Nepal are recognised globally. If you go abroad with 1–2 years of work experience from Nepal, it will be easier to get a well-paid job there.
4: Is it possible to get a job before completing a bachelor’s degree?
Yes. IT is a field where skills matter more than degrees. Many companies hire students as interns and, if they perform well, offer them jobs while they are still studying.
