Chapter 1: Introduction - National Integrity Policy 2083 - राष्ट्रिय सदाचार नीति, २०८३
1.1 Background
In Nepal, the values of integrity, ethics, and good governance have historically remained established as basic norms of social life, public conduct, and state operation. Since the values of mutual trust, dignity, honesty, and accountability have traditionally been accepted in society, efforts have also been made at different times to institutionalize these values in the governance system. Through the Constitution, prevailing laws, periodic plans, laws related to good governance, strategies for corruption control, and administrative reform programs, the state has made efforts to develop a governance system based on transparency, accountability, impartiality, and integrity.
Legal provisions related to conduct for public office holders and employees, sectoral codes of conduct, the oath system, and disciplinary arrangements have been established as important foundations in this direction. The judiciary, constitutional bodies, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations have also been contributing to the promotion of integrity by adopting codes of conduct and professional standards within their respective areas of work.
However, despite the structural and policy efforts mentioned above, the expected level of integrity has not been maintained in public conduct. Weaknesses seen in the effective implementation of laws and policies, lack of institutional coordination, weak implementation of a system-based governance system, and the tendency of individual or group interests to dominate have created challenges in the performance of the public sector.
The governance system has been found to be weakened by the inadequate use of public resources, lack of effective management of conflicts of interest, lack of transparency in decision-making processes, and insufficiency of a culture of bearing accountability.
In addition, problems such as delay in service delivery, inequality in quality, discrimination in access, and lack of results-oriented performance are present. Questions are being raised regarding the institutional professionalism, independence, and effectiveness of regulatory, investigative, and monitoring bodies. There is a situation in which investigative bodies have not been able to work as cleanly and autonomously as expected, service delivery agencies have not provided quality services, and citizen participation in the policy-making process remains weak. These conditions have reduced citizens’ trust in the governance system and weakened the overall foundation of good governance.
The growing public concern and dissatisfaction in Nepal over corruption, irregularities, ethical deviation, and institutional opacity have naturally made the promotion of integrity a matter of national priority. Integrity is no longer limited only to personal ethics or government responsibility; it has developed as a shared responsibility of all sectors, including the public, private, and non-governmental sectors. Considering the increasing role and influence of the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders in governance activities, it has become indispensable to ensure shared ethical standards, transparent working systems, and accountable conduct institutionally. It has become clear that a high level of good governance cannot be achieved without translating values such as professional integrity, honesty, neutrality, service spirit, selflessness, and accountability into practice.
Various countries around the world have adopted different approaches for promoting integrity, based on legal strengthening, institutional capacity enhancement, promotion of fair competition, encouragement of service providers, and strong commitment from political and administrative leadership. These practices have shown that a single measure is not sufficient to promote integrity and that an integrated and multidimensional approach covering legal, institutional, behavioral, and cultural aspects is necessary.
In this context, Nepal also needs a clear, implementable, and results-oriented National Integrity Policy that integrates past efforts, addresses existing weaknesses, and takes current and future challenges into account. This policy has been formulated in the context of the need to develop a culture of integrity by building an institutional structure based on coordination, cooperation, and shared commitment among the public, private, and non-governmental sectors, with clear standards, effective monitoring, and accountability.
1.2 Problems, Challenges, and Need for the Policy
(a) Problems
Although various constitutional, legal, and policy arrangements exist in Nepal for promoting integrity, structural and behavioral weaknesses have been seen in their effective implementation. Since laws, policies, and standards are scattered and partly overlapping in nature, the overall integrity system has not been able to function in an integrated and coherent manner. At the implementation level, the tendency to make decisions on the basis of discretion, interests, and pressure rather than equal and impartial application of the prevailing law has weakened system-based governance. Since the capacity, resources, and professional competence of regulatory, investigative, and monitoring bodies within institutional structures have not developed to the expected level, the internal control system has not become effective.
In addition, lack of coordination among public bodies, ambiguity of jurisdiction, and duplication have caused complexity and delay in decision-making processes. The weak state of a culture of accountability and the increase in impunity have added challenges to controlling irregularities. Due to lack of transparency, obstruction in information flow, and limited use of digital systems, the situation in which citizens can effectively monitor governance processes has become weak. Delay, procedural complexity, inequality in quality, and discrimination in access in public service delivery have increased citizen dissatisfaction and, in some cases, encouraged informal and unethical practices.
As values such as ethics, honesty, and professional integrity have not been institutionally strengthened, the development of an integrity culture has not taken place as expected. The existence of conflicts of interest, the influence of personal or group interests on decision-making processes, and the limited effectiveness of investigation and regulatory systems have increased the risk of corruption and irregularities. Since citizen participation, social monitoring, and public pressure have not developed as expected, the overall contribution of society to integrity promotion has remained limited. Overall, past efforts have been fragmented, uncoordinated, and mostly reactive or ad hoc in nature, which appears to have limited the effectiveness of the integrity system.
(b) Challenges
There are multidimensional and systemic challenges for the promotion of integrity in Nepal. First, developing an overall integrity system with clear goals, standards, implementation structures, and monitoring mechanisms by integrating scattered laws, policies, and institutional arrangements remains a major challenge. It appears indispensable to reduce the gap between policy and implementation while ensuring equal, impartial, and strict implementation of rules. For this, it is necessary to strengthen the professional capacity, resources, autonomy, and technology-friendly working style of regulatory, investigative, and monitoring bodies.
Similarly, another important challenge is to strengthen a system-based decision-making system within public administration while developing clear division of roles, effective coordination, and shared accountability among agencies. It is necessary to facilitate information flow and make it swift and reliable through enhancement of transparency, promotion of an open governance system, and broad use of digital technology. To ensure accountability, it is equally important to establish a clear accountability framework, make the punishment and incentive system effective, and develop a results-oriented monitoring and evaluation system.
Another challenge is to build a structure that discourages wrong practices while making public service delivery citizen-friendly, swift, transparent, and inclusive. Along with this, to develop ethics and integrity as an institutional culture, it appears necessary to implement codes of conduct, promote ethical leadership, and conduct behavior-change programs. It is also necessary to effectively manage conflicts of interest, control new forms of corruption related to emerging technologies, and adapt the investigation system to modern technology.
Transforming integrity promotion from a government effort alone into a shared initiative based on the active participation of the private sector, civil society, the non-governmental sector, the media, and the general public remains a long-term challenge. For this, it appears indispensable to strengthen social responsibility, citizen awareness, and public monitoring mechanisms while developing integrity as a life value across society.
(c) Need for the Policy
Although constitutional, legal, policy, and institutional arrangements exist in Nepal for the promotion of integrity, the overall system has not become results-oriented as expected due to the lack of effective implementation, coordination, and integrated direction. Efforts made so far are scattered across different sectors and agencies, due to which uniformity has not been maintained in the objectives, standards, and implementation processes of integrity promotion. In such a situation, an integrated integrity policy with a clear vision, goals, priorities, and implementation framework to guide the overall governance system has become indispensable.
Systemic weaknesses seen in public administration, selective implementation of reform activities, limited transparency, weak accountability, and lack of institutional discipline have created a situation that reduces citizens’ trust in the state. Citizen dissatisfaction has been increasing due to delay, complexity, and unequal access in public service delivery. A clear policy appears necessary to improve this situation and make service delivery citizen-friendly, transparent, accountable, and results-oriented.
Similarly, aspects such as management of conflicts of interest, implementation of codes of conduct, promotion of ethical leadership, and strengthening of professional integrity have not yet been institutionalized. Clear policy-level guidance is necessary to establish integrity not merely as a matter of legal compliance but as a broad concept connected with behavior, culture, and institutional practice. This will help create a foundation of shared ethical values and conduct among public office holders, the private sector, the non-governmental sector, and civil society.
With the expansion of technology, new opportunities have been created in public administration, while the forms of corruption and irregularities have also become complex. Contemporary policy guidance is necessary to ensure transparency, security, and accountability in the areas of digital governance, data management, service automation, and online transactions. In this context, an integrated policy appears indispensable to develop a modern, technology-friendly, risk-based, and results-oriented integrity system.
It is also an urgent need of the present time to take integrity promotion forward for implementation with equal importance by all three levels of the state—federal, provincial, and local—in accordance with the federal system. In addition, since the national policy related to this issued by the Government of Nepal will be a guiding policy for the provincial and local levels, it has become essential for the Government of Nepal to approve and implement the National Integrity Policy.
Furthermore, integrity promotion is not only the responsibility of government agencies but a multidimensional matter that can be achieved only through the joint efforts of the private sector, civil society, the media, and the general public. Cooperation, coordination, and shared accountability among these sectors have not yet been developed. Therefore, a clear policy basis is necessary to strengthen multi-sectoral partnership, social responsibility, and citizen participation.
In this context, integrity is a basic condition for strengthening sustainable development, good governance, and the rule of law. An integrated, implementation-oriented, and monitorable integrity policy has also become necessary for the effective implementation of national and international commitments, such as norms related to good governance, transparency, and corruption control. It is expected to make an important contribution to increasing trust in public institutions, improving the quality of service delivery, and strengthening the credibility of the overall governance system.
Chapter 2: Policy Structure
2.1 Vision
Good governance and prosperity through a society with integrity.
2.2 Mission
Honest citizens with positive thinking; a society with integrity.
2.3 Goals
(1) To build a civilized society by institutionalizing a system with integrity.
(2) To make integrity an integral part of the way of life.
2.4 Objectives
(1) To promote integrity and good governance by maintaining honesty and integrity in all sectors of society.
(2) To build a cultured society by adopting a system with integrity.
(3) To make institutional arrangements for the study, research, and regulation of integrity.
(4) To make arrangements for the implementation, monitoring, and self-regulation system of integrity rules.
2.5 Fundamental Values
The fundamental values, commitments, and principles of the national integrity system shall be as follows:
(1) Freedom: We practice independently.
(2) Activeness: We adopt predetermined and investigative measures for promoting integrity and good governance.
(3) Professionalism: We carry out preventive and promotional work with high professionalism while following excellent practices.
(4) Creativity and Excellence: We achieve excellence in performance and make maximum use of human capital.
(5) Human Dignity: We regard human dignity as our ideal for a cultured society.
(6) Citizen Participation: We ensure citizen participation and transparency in the state’s policy-making and use of resources.
(7) Patriotism: We work with commitment to protecting the country’s interest, sovereignty, national unity, and integrity.
(8) Integrity: We bear responsibility according to impartiality, cleanliness, honesty, responsibility, accountability, and competence.
(9) Positivity: We will perform our duties with positive feelings in our work area and social life.
2.6 Guiding Principles and Bases of the Policy
(1) Compliance with the Constitution, laws, and professional values and norms.
(2) Adoption of the core mantra “Service is Dharma” and devotion to duty.
(3) Supreme importance to self-awakening, self-regulation, self-evaluation, and national interest.
(4) Timely decision-making and performance with transparency and accountability.
(5) Access, quality, and equity in public service.
(6) Internalization of human values in the way of life.
2.7 Policy
(1) The values and norms of all public bodies will be made integrity-oriented. Related to Objective No. 1.
(2) Arrangements will be made to promote integrity on the basis of suggestions received through study and research on integrity. Related to Objective No. 1.
(3) Transparency, accountability, and participation will be ensured in the decision-making process. Related to Objective No. 1.
(4) Human values will be promoted by including integrity education in educational and training programs of all sectors and levels. Related to Objective No. 2.
(5) Religious, social, and cultural tolerance and harmony will be protected and promoted by internalizing diverse characteristics. Related to Objective No. 2.
(6) Agency-wise responsibilities will be assigned to institutionalize integrity and good governance. Related to Objective No. 3.
(7) The system for addressing citizen concerns will be made transparent and effective by strengthening regulatory bodies. Related to Objective No. 3.
(8) Arrangements will be made to use integrity as a basis while conducting evaluation and giving honors. Related to Objective No. 4.
(9) Performance will be made effective through self-awakening, self-regulation, self-evaluation, and self-examination. Related to Objective No. 4.
2.8 Strategies
(1) To declare organizational values in a manner that makes the performance of public organizations clean, impartial, transparent, and accountable. Related to Policy 1.
(2) To prepare a clear code of integrity for all by including standards of ethical conduct in institutional structures. Related to Policy 1.
(3) To formulate an Integrity Act applicable to all sectors of the state. Related to Policy 1.
(4) To organize training and workshops to make stakeholders aware of and committed to the observance of the code of conduct. Related to Policy 1.
(5) To conduct awareness campaigns in society regarding integrity through the media. Related to Policy 1.
(6) To conduct integrity promotion programs targeting all age groups. Related to Policy 1.
(7) To promote study and research on ethics and integrity in collaboration with educational and academic institutions and research centers. Related to Policy 2.
(8) To support institutional reform by providing advisory services from the National Vigilance Center to the public, private, and non-governmental sectors as required. Related to Policy 2.
(9) To keep records of studies and research conducted on integrity and consider their findings while formulating policies, laws, and programs. Related to Policy 2.
(10) To make research reports public and use them as a medium for public-level debate and dialogue. Related to Policy 2.
(11) To ensure stakeholder participation in the decision-making process and make information flow transparent. Related to Policy 3.
(12) To increase accountability by evaluating the impact of decisions. Related to Policy 3.
(13) To take decisions on time and ensure performance. Related to Policy 3.
(14) To include topics of integrity education in the curricula of schools and universities as well as informal education. Related to Policy 4.
(15) To provide integrity training programs for teachers and trainers and ensure regular teaching of moral education and integrity. Related to Policy 4.
(16) To include integrity education while conducting training programs in all sectors and levels. Related to Policy 4.
(17) To include topics of ethics and integrity in the curricula of recruitment selection bodies, including the Public Service Commission. Related to Policy 4.
(18) To conduct programs for the protection and promotion of tolerance and harmony by identifying religious, social, and cultural diversity. Related to Policy 5.
(19) To create an environment for inter-dialogue and cooperation among different communities to protect diversity and promote unity. Related to Policy 5.
(20) To enhance the capacity of existing training-providing institutions for study, research, and training on integrity and good governance. Related to Policy 6.
(21) To provide necessary policy recommendations and advisory services for the public and private sectors through the Good Governance Promotion Center. Related to Policy 6.
(22) To form an Integrity Compliance Mechanism in each public body and conduct risk-based supervision. Related to Policy 6.
(23) To make grievance redressal of citizens transparent and credible by enhancing the capacity of regulatory bodies. Related to Policy 7.
(24) To make arrangements for hearing citizen concerns through an online system by using technology. Related to Policy 7.
(25) To promote integrity by forming integrity-related institutions at the community level and collaborating with institutions working for integrity promotion. Related to Policy 8.
(26) To publicly honor or reward individuals and institutions that demonstrate excellence in integrity. Related to Policy 8.
(27) To use an individual’s integrity and public probity as the basis while determining honors, decorations, and medals to be conferred by the state. Related to Policy 8.
(28) Individuals holding public responsibility shall themselves remain informed about the work they perform and related subjects. Related to Policy 9.
(29) To promote institutional good governance through self-awakening, self-regulation, self-examination, and self-evaluation. Related to Policy 9.
(30) To make internal control and self-regulation effective on the basis of suggestions from regulatory bodies. Related to Policy 9.
(31) To ensure transparency and effectiveness of performance through a self-examination system. Related to Policy 9.
(32) To develop standards for self-evaluation, prepare a basis for institutional reform, and adopt corrective steps on that basis. Related to Policy 9.
(33) To conduct periodic interaction with service recipients under the responsibility of the head of the agency regarding the work performed by the public body. Related to Policy 9.
(34) To encourage activities that promote human values such as honesty, harmony, compassion, trust, beauty of mind, impartiality, intellectuality, helpfulness, and positivity in the family, society, and workplace. Related to Policy 9.
2.9 Role of Stakeholders in Policy Implementation
2.9.1 Citizens
(1) While exercising citizen rights, to fulfill duties such as respecting the law, participating in social life, and promoting common interest.
(2) To actively participate in public affairs and protect democratic values and norms.
(3) To comply with the Constitution and prevailing Acts and laws.
(4) To fulfill civic duties such as voting, volunteering, and involvement in other community activities.
(5) To identify the ethical impact of one’s actions on others and behave carefully.
(6) To continue striving for impartiality, justice, and equality in society.
(7) To always remain firm in fulfilling duties toward family, society, and the nation.
(8) To protect civilization and culture while striving for prosperity.
(9) To develop competitive capacity by engaging in activities such as sports, literature, art, music, discourse, entrepreneurship, scientific exploration, and invention for enhancing the dignity of the nation.
(10) To develop oneself as a wise, conscious, aware, creative, hardworking, and progress-oriented citizen through spiritual upliftment, self-awakening, self-regulation, and self-evaluation.
2.9.2 Office Holders/Members of the Legislature and Persons Entrusted With Public Responsibility
(1) To comply with the oath taken when starting one’s responsibility.
(2) People’s representatives shall make decisions impartially, transparently, and accountably by using emotional intelligence, keeping in view the supreme interest of the people and the nation.
(3) Legislators shall not participate in parliamentary committees and committee meetings where they have a conflict of interest.
(4) To use public property and resources properly, honestly, and to the maximum extent. Also, not to use official authority for personal interest.
(5) To strengthen public trust through conduct with integrity in official and personal capacities.
(6) To make prior and written disclosure of matters involving private interest or conflict of interest and stay away from such matters.
(7) To demonstrate conduct such as honesty, neutrality, good behavior, high morality, truthfulness, service spirit, professionalism, and priority to the larger interest.
(8) To behave respectfully toward higher officials and politely toward subordinates.
(9) To promote ethical values and conduct in public and private life.
(10) To support the building of a responsible and accountable institutional culture.
2.9.3 Political Parties
(1) Political parties shall respect voters, conduct dignified campaigning, respect parties with different views and principles, and not interfere in the work of observers.
(2) To keep supporters away from engaging in violent or criminal behavior.
(3) To comply with the legal framework, election-related laws, and code of conduct, and to ensure that the party office staff and supporters also comply with the law.
(4) To make public the party’s performance and income and expenditure while implementing standards of transparency and high conduct.
(5) To prepare a mechanism for systematic monitoring and reporting of the performance of party representatives representing public institutions and the work done regarding the fulfillment of election promises.
(6) To establish internal mechanisms such as an ethics committee within the party for compliance with conduct and to apply disciplinary measures.
(7) To ensure democratic values and internal transparency.
(8) To take party decisions transparently and lawfully while complying with the code of conduct.
(9) To give priority to policy-making based on public concerns.
(10) To adopt transparency in decisions taken and working methods used.
(11) To use office and confidential information only in the public interest.
(12) To compulsorily make property details public if appointed to public office.
(13) To behave with integrity in official and personal capacities.
(14) To support the building of a responsible and accountable institutional culture.
2.9.4 Non-Governmental Organizations
(1) To remain transparent, accountable, and impartial toward the community as service providers.
(2) To use received resources honestly.
(3) To maintain political neutrality and social inclusion.
(4) To maintain transparency and objectivity in accounting practices while complying with financial discipline.
(5) To stay away from activities that increase social hatred, animosity, and conflict.
(6) To accept economic or other assistance for sustainable development in accordance with legally recognized Nepali culture and tradition.
(7) To remain committed to the protection and promotion of human rights, taking into account the inherent dignity and equality of all persons.
(8) To keep records of activities performed to achieve the institution’s objectives.
2.9.5 International Non-Governmental Organizations
(1) To work in the national interest while respecting the Constitution, laws, and policies of Nepal.
(2) Not to conduct activities that spread unwanted allegations, animosity, or hatred against Nepal.
(3) To work in a manner that maintains Nepal’s civilization, culture, social relations, and harmony.
(4) To maintain political neutrality and social inclusion.
(5) To conduct programs economically, transparently, and accountably and submit reports to the bodies specified by prevailing law.
(6) To demonstrate the highest level of honesty and truthfulness in their work responsibilities.
(7) To remain committed to the protection and promotion of human rights, taking into account the inherent dignity and equality of all persons.
(8) To mobilize assistance based on local needs rather than the institution’s interest.
2.9.6 Diplomatic Sector
(1) To express views and conduct behavior in accordance with the diplomatic code of conduct issued by the Government of Nepal, in a manner consistent with the basic matters of Nepal’s national interest, such as Nepal’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, nationality, autonomy, self-respect, protection of the rights and interests of Nepali people, border security, economic advancement, and prosperity.
(2) To correspond and meet with foreign diplomats and government officials compulsorily through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Views on sensitive matters of bilateral and multilateral relations shall be expressed only after adequate preparation and approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No view shall be expressed, no activity shall be carried out, and no direct or indirect involvement or assistance shall be provided in any such activity in a way that adversely affects the existing bilateral relations between Nepal and neighboring friendly countries and other countries, as well as Nepal’s multilateral relations.
(3) To express views and conduct behavior in accordance with the basic norms of Nepal’s foreign policy, such as world peace, non-alignment, international law, and multilateralism. To conduct behavior in accordance with Nepal’s policy of emphasizing the resolution of bilateral and multilateral problems through negotiation, dialogue, and peaceful diplomatic means. While holding formal or informal conversations with foreign diplomats and officials, and while expressing views in various bilateral and multilateral forums, views shall be expressed only in accordance with the policies, plans, declarations, decisions, and programs of the Government of Nepal.
(4) Not to provide Nepal’s confidential and sensitive information to foreigners directly or indirectly, and not to leak or make public any information in a way that affects the outcome while negotiations and agreements are underway.
(5) To conduct bilateral and multilateral negotiations and discussions in a dignified manner, following internationally practiced and accepted diplomatic values and norms such as mutual respect, equality, interest, and reciprocity.
(6) To hold formal meetings with counterparts in a manner suited to the dignity, responsibility, and jurisdiction of one’s office. On such occasions, discussions and views shall be made in the national interest by taking advice and suggestions from the concerned sectoral agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Nepali missions shall also be included in such meetings. While on foreign visits or participating in programs invited by friendly countries, views shall be expressed and conduct and behavior shall be maintained in a manner that enhances Nepal’s image, prestige, and glory.
(7) To make official foreign visits as short, efficient, and economical as possible. While on foreign visits and while participating in programs organized by foreigners, to respect the cultural values and customs of the inviting country and other friendly countries. To converse and behave respectfully with citizens of friendly countries, irrespective of their faith, belief, and economic, social, and religious background.
2.9.7 Educational/Academic Sector
(1) All those involved in educational institutions shall comply with ethical principles and behave responsibly both inside and outside the institution.
(2) To contribute to maintaining honesty, respect for others, and a positive learning environment in academic work.
(3) To behave politely and civilly with teachers, classmates, and all members of the academic community and to value diverse perspectives and ideas.
(4) To participate actively in academic activities.
(5) Not to discriminate on the basis of economic status, caste, religion, race, gender, age, culture, political belief, nationality, and other grounds.
(6) To always be ready to help classmates learn knowledge, skills, and good behavior.
(7) Students, teachers, professors, and researchers shall demonstrate honesty, truthfulness, impartiality, respect, accountability, and inspiring behavior in all educational activities.
(8) To respect intellectual property in research and stay away from plagiarism.
(9) To use educational institutions only for academic work such as study, teaching, exploration and research, incubation centers, and laboratory operation.
(10) To make an inspiring contribution to building ethical, honest, and disciplined citizens with integrity.
(11) To adopt gender sensitivity in the overall educational environment and behave accordingly in practice.
2.9.8 Private Sector
(1) To maintain trust with consumers and service recipients, enhance positive reputation, and ensure business sustainability.
(2) To work with honesty and truthfulness in all business transactions and treat service recipients and stakeholders equally.
(3) To make decisions on the basis of facts and evidence and remain free from prejudice or undue influence.
(4) To promote the skills and knowledge necessary to fulfill duties with effectiveness, fair competition, and diligence in business.
(5) To comply with prevailing laws, rules, and ethical standards.
(6) To remain sensitive to the impact of business decisions on society and the environment.
(7) To provide clear and accurate information to stakeholders about business operations.
(8) To maintain transparency in trade and industry and protect and respect consumer interests.
(9) To remain committed to labor rights, wages, and workplace safety.
(10) To stay away from unethical and unprofessional practices such as collusion and black marketing.
(11) To maintain transparency by setting fair prices for goods and services and ending the tendency to produce or sell substandard goods and services or earn abnormal profit.
(12) To allocate a certain amount of profit for corporate social responsibility and mobilize that amount in priority areas specified by the government.
(13) To bear responsibility for maintaining environmental cleanliness by properly managing waste generated from industrial and business establishments.
2.9.9 Media, Social Media, and Information Technology Sector
(1) To ensure impartial, accurate, and responsible dissemination of information while promoting transparency.
(2) To present facts in a manner understandable to the general public without allowing manipulation of information.
(3) To correct disseminated news as soon as information is received that it is erroneous.
(4) To present information without prejudice, always striving to include voices of different perspectives and avoid bias.
(5) To respect personal information and protect individual privacy.
(6) To remain accountable for produced content while maintaining the credibility of news sources and collection methods.
(7) To stay away from acts that cause unnecessary harm, suffering, or humiliation to any person or group out of self-interest.
(8) To remain open about practices and policies related to information collection, news production, dissemination, storage, and use of information technology, and to be accountable for one’s work.
(9) To disseminate only information that is true, impartial, and source-based.
(10) To practice journalism that maintains privacy, respect, and dignity.
(11) To play an active role in preventing misinformation, hatred, or rumors.
(12) Not to publish, disseminate, or share misleading news by mentioning only a part of matters spoken in a particular context in a way that conveys a different meaning.
(13) To distinguish between personal and public matters and not publish news in a way that harms anyone’s personal and social dignity.
2.9.10 Financial Sector: Banks, Financial Institutions, and Cooperatives
(1) To maintain confidentiality while remaining committed to the financial security of service recipients.
(2) To avoid transactions involving conflict of interest or benefit.
(3) To maintain proper pricing and transparency of services.
(4) To comply with laws related to financial transactions and regulation.
(5) To adopt adequate measures to prevent money laundering efforts.
(6) To emphasize financial literacy and inclusion.
(7) To comply with environmental, social, and governance standards.
(8) To maintain transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance in financial transactions.
(9) To make the internal control system effective.
2.9.11 Religious and Social Organizations
(1) To create a tolerant environment that respects all religions, sects, and beliefs.
(2) To stay away from superstition, discrimination, and exploitative practices.
(3) To demonstrate inclusive, impartial, and dignified conduct in social and cultural activities.
(4) To provide an ethical framework for family and society, promote ethical behavior, and promote personal and community values and norms.
(5) To emphasize values such as compassion, forgiveness, and respect in personal and community interaction and institutional norms.
(6) To promote ethical conduct within the group and inspire shared responsibility and community spirit.
(7) To promote social behavior such as volunteering, empathy, and ethics.
(8) To promote moral education among individuals, institutions, and society.
(9) To develop the capacity to make ethical decisions that increase compassion, forgiveness, and mutual harmony in society.
2.9.12 Foreign Citizens
(1) To respect Nepal’s laws, traditions, and social values.
(2) To demonstrate conduct free from interference in political and sensitive matters.
(3) To demonstrate dignified, accountable, and polite behavior.
Chapter 3: Policy Implementation
3.1 Institutional Arrangement
(1) The National Vigilance Center shall regularly monitor and inspect whether prevailing laws, standards, or codes of conduct in accordance with the National Integrity Policy have been implemented by all agencies and shall provide suggestions. In addition, it shall prepare an annual report, including the problems, challenges, strong aspects, and measures to be taken for improvement seen in relation to the implementation of the Integrity Policy, and submit it to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers by the end of Shrawan of each fiscal year. The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers may make the report public as necessary.
(2) For the purpose of conducting Integrity Assessment, the Government of Nepal shall form a five-member expert group within the National Vigilance Center from among qualified, honest, and reputed persons who are away from party politics. Its responsibilities shall be as prescribed by the Government of Nepal, Council of Ministers.
(3) A contact point shall be designated in each public body for corruption control and integrity promotion. In addition, those public bodies shall prepare reports covering activities carried out in relation to integrity and corruption control and the problems seen in maintaining integrity, and shall submit such reports every four months to the National Vigilance Center and the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
(4) In the case of courts at all levels, institutional arrangements shall be made to handle matters of integrity through the Judicial Council.
(5) For policy coordination and guidance for the effective implementation of the National Integrity Policy, there shall be a steering committee as follows:
(a) Chief Secretary, Government of Nepal - Coordinator
(b) Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General - Member
(c) Secretary, House of Representatives - Member
(d) Chief, National Vigilance Center - Member
(e) Secretary responsible for the governance affairs sector, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers - Member Secretary
An office holder, employee, or expert from any government or non-governmental sector may be invited to the meeting of the steering committee. The meeting of the steering committee shall be held at least three times a year or as required. The division of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers responsible for governance reform-related matters shall perform the secretariat work of the committee.
(6) The functions, duties, and powers of the steering committee shall be as follows:
(a) To provide necessary policy direction for effective implementation of the Integrity Policy and resolve complications seen in implementation.
(b) To provide necessary coordination and facilitation for the implementation of suggestions received from the National Vigilance Center, parliamentary committees, constitutional bodies, and the Judicial Council.
(c) To maintain functional uniformity by playing a coordinating role among the government, non-governmental, private sector, and civil society for integrity promotion.
(d) To arrange or cause to arrange the necessary financial and human resources for policy implementation.
(e) To recommend timely reforms to be made in the National Integrity Policy according to the changing context.
(f) To carry out work as directed by the Government of Nepal for integrity promotion.
3.2 Legal Arrangement
(1) For the implementation of this policy, the federal, provincial, and local levels shall formulate and implement Acts and rules related to the code of conduct.
(2) Without conflicting with the provisions of this policy, institutions of all public sectors, private sectors, non-governmental sectors, and cooperative sectors shall formulate and implement codes of conduct according to the nature of their work.
(3) All institutions shall place the code of conduct provisions they have formulated and implemented on their websites.
3.3 Financial Arrangement
The availability of adequate and sustainable financial resources has been taken as a prerequisite for the successful implementation of the National Integrity Policy. The financial resources required for this policy shall be borne through the regular annual budget and program of the Government of Nepal. In accordance with the federal structure, all three levels of government—federal, provincial, and local—shall allocate the necessary budget in their annual budgets for activities related to integrity promotion, corruption control, and moral education. In particular, financial resources shall be ensured for expenditure on integrity measurement in public bodies, monitoring of the code of conduct, and strengthening of digital systems.
Regarding sectoral resource management of stakeholders, this policy has advanced the concept of mobilizing different sectors under their own responsibility rather than depending only on the state treasury. The private sector shall mobilize funds under corporate social responsibility for integrity promotion activities in order to maintain business ethics and integrity in its business. Similarly, while formulating their programs, the non-governmental and cooperative sectors shall allocate a certain budget from their internal resources for integrity and transparency. A policy has also been adopted to involve civil society and the media sector in raising public awareness and increasing social monitoring, and to use their expertise and reach as a resource.
3.4 Policy Coordination and Harmonization
(1) Each agency at the federal, provincial, and local levels shall designate one branch as the contact point and one employee of that branch as the contact person to carry out work related to corruption control and integrity promotion in its institution.
(2) Through that contact person, a system will be developed to provide education and information regarding integrity rules to all concerned.
(3) Arrangements will be made for that person to submit a report every four months to the head of the institution and to make it public through the institution’s website.
(4) If any risk area has been identified in the report prepared by that person, it must be compulsorily sent to the National Vigilance Center.
3.5 Risk Identification and Management
(a) Risk Identification
A systematic, evidence-based, and continuously updated risk assessment process shall be adopted to identify in time the risks that may arise during the implementation of the Integrity Policy. Under this, policy, institutional, procedural, financial, and technology-related risks shall be analyzed comprehensively and priorities shall be determined. Risk mapping shall be carried out with special attention to high-risk areas such as service delivery, public procurement, resource mobilization, human resource management, and decision-making processes. In addition, data received from internal and external sources, grievance systems, audit reports, and stakeholder feedback shall be used to identify possible risks such as conflicts of interest, information opacity, impunity, weak monitoring, and misuse of digital systems.
(b) Risk Management
For the effective management of identified risks, a clear action plan related to risk mitigation, control, and monitoring shall be prepared. Responsible agencies shall be determined for each risk, and diagnostic, preventive, and corrective measures shall be adopted. Risks shall be controlled through strengthening the internal control system, enhancing transparency, digital security arrangements, regular audit and monitoring, and capacity enhancement of employees. In addition, the risk management process shall be linked with performance evaluation, and regular review, reporting, and corrective intervention shall be carried out as necessary.
3.6 Monitoring of the Policy
(1) The National Vigilance Center shall conduct regular monitoring, regulation, and evaluation of the implementation of the Integrity Policy.
(2) The National Vigilance Center shall study the reports submitted by integrity units at all government, private, non-governmental, and civil society institutions or levels, and after studying the recommendations of those reports, may take necessary action or provide suggestions to the reporting body. Such units shall be formed from the existing branches or employees in the concerned agency.
(3) Arrangements shall be made to compulsorily place the results obtained from monitoring, regulation, and evaluation on the website.
(4) An Integrity Promotion Unit shall be arranged in the Parliament Secretariat to maintain integrity in the legislature.
(5) An Integrity Promotion Unit shall be arranged in the Secretariat of the Judicial Council for promoting integrity in the judiciary.
3.7 Evaluation of the Policy
Five years after this policy is implemented, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers shall have it evaluated by an independent expert group. Based on the suggestions received from the evaluation, the policy shall be amended according to the contemporary context.
3.8 Policy Implementation Action Plan
For the effective implementation of this policy, an integrated implementation framework with clear assignment of responsibility, a time-bound action plan, and a results-oriented monitoring system is necessary. For this, a structure shall be developed for coordinated implementation among the federal, provincial, and local levels. A provision shall be made for the leadership of policy implementation to be taken by the concerned central agency, and clear division of roles shall be made among sectoral ministries, regulatory bodies, and implementing agencies. All sectors and agencies mentioned in this policy shall implement this policy by determining annual and periodic performance targets within their jurisdiction, which will make policy implementation planned and results-oriented.
In the initial phase, programs focused on legal and policy reforms, strengthening of internal control systems, implementation of codes of conduct, and management of conflicts of interest shall be conducted for the implementation of this policy. After that, programs related to institutional capacity enhancement, digital system development, service delivery improvement, and transparency promotion shall be expanded. In the long term, programs such as behavior change, promotion of ethical leadership, and public awareness enhancement shall be continued to develop integrity as an institutional culture.
To make policy implementation technology-friendly and transparent, an integrated digital platform shall be established at the National Vigilance Center. Through this platform, the progress, achievements, and indicators of the action plan of this policy shall be recorded and monitored in real time. A clear Key Performance Indicator (KPI), timeline, and responsible agency shall be determined for each activity of the action plan to make results measurable. An Integrity Assessment Index for each public servant shall also be prepared, and the score obtained and the leadership capacity score shall be made part of the person’s annual performance evaluation. In addition, arrangements shall be made to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system, conduct regular progress reviews, carry out independent evaluations, and make policy reforms as necessary.
To ensure accountability, the punishment and incentive system shall be linked with the action plan. Under this, agencies and employees with excellent performance shall be encouraged, and action shall be taken in accordance with prevailing law against those with weak performance or those involved in irregularities. In addition, public reporting, open data systems, and grievance management mechanisms shall be made effective to strengthen citizen participation and social monitoring. This is expected to increase transparency and public trust in the policy implementation process.
Similarly, policy implementation shall be based on multi-sectoral partnership, with cooperation among the public sector, private sector, civil society, and media. Such partnerships shall be institutionalized for capacity development, resource mobilization, and innovative practices. In this way, the goal is to make implementation of the Integrity Policy effective, sustainable, and results-oriented through a coordinated, phased, technology-friendly, and accountable action plan.
The policy shall be reviewed in five years, including evaluation of the overall impact of policy implementation on economic, social, governance, and other sectors.
The detailed action plan for implementing the strategies mentioned in this policy is presented in Schedule 1.
3.9 To Serve as a Guiding Policy
This policy shall be the main and guiding policy related to integrity for all government, private, and non-governmental sectors. For provincial and local levels, this policy shall be the principal guiding policy. Since this policy aims to harmonize and update scattered legal and policy arrangements, directives, or procedures related to integrity promotion, all agencies shall revise their existing codes of conduct and policies and laws related to integrity in accordance with this policy. If any legal ambiguity or confusion arises during the implementation of this policy, the authority to provide clear interpretation shall remain with the Government of Nepal.
Approved by the Government of Nepal, Council of Ministers, on 2083/3/18
Government of Nepal
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu
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Nepal National Integrity Policy 2083.PDF
