A common challenge for most students, researchers, government bodies, media, and institutions seeking services from the National Statistics Office (NSO) [Rastriya Tathyanka Karyalaya] is the same: “Which exact service do I need?”, “Which documents are required?”, “How much does it cost?” “How many days does it take?”, and “What is not allowed when using microdata?”
This service guide presents NSO’s major services in a process-centered way: obtaining microdata, permission for nationally representative surveys/censuses, verification before publishing permitted statistics, publication distribution, library services, and statistical support/coordination for government/public institutions. (Source: Statistics Regulation, 2080 and citizen charters of various Statistics Coordination Offices).
If you need published facts/reports/tables, publication distribution/library services/website materials are suitable.
If you need microdata to analyze on your own, you must submit an application plus fee and comply with conditions (confidentiality) for microdata (census or survey).
In that case, the permission process applies (documents: decision, concept note, questionnaire, sample/method, etc.).
The citizen charter mentions a service to verify statistics collected with permission before publication (including decision/timeline).
Undergraduate/postgraduate thesis, research paper, policy analysis, program evaluation
Situations requiring “cross-tab/modeling” that published tables cannot provide
Documents: written application stating the purpose of using microdata + copy of identification document
Time: within 3 working days after revenue is received (as per citizen charter)
Fee (census microdata):
Nepal-based school/college/university students: NPR 4,000
Nepali citizens other than students: NPR 5,000
Government body/institution/national NGO: NPR 8,000
International NGO/international body/foreign institution or individual: USD 400
Identify the dataset: first search the dataset name/year/coverage in the Microdata Catalog (NADA).
Prepare the application: clearly write the purpose, required dataset, required geographic level, and expected output (thesis/report).
Attach identification documents: if you are a student, a college/university ID or recommendation (if available) can be useful, but at minimum a copy of an ID document is considered mandatory.
Pay the fee (revenue): match the fee according to your category (student/citizen/institution).
Comply with confidentiality/use conditions: after receiving microdata, you must comply with conditions such as “do not attempt identification, do not share, do not use beyond the stated purpose.”
Receive the data: as per the citizen charter, facilitation/availability is provided within 3 working days after revenue is received.
Documents: written application + copy of identification document
Time: within 3 working days after revenue is received
Fee (survey microdata):
Student: NPR 2,500
Other Nepali citizen: NPR 3,000
Government/institution/national NGO: NPR 5,000
International/foreign: USD 300
The process is the same as census microdata: identify the dataset in the Catalog first, then application/documents/fee, and finally comply with conditions. The Catalog’s purpose is to make “browse/search/compare/apply” easier.
This service mainly applies when government/public bodies or programs want to conduct surveys/censuses that are “nationally representative.” The regulation clearly states the required documents in the permission process.
Copy of the decision of the concerned body/institution
Concept note: objectives, scope, method, estimated cost
Permission form (as per regulation/schedule)
Questionnaire
(If applicable) institution registration and tax clearance proof
Details of availability of financial resources
Decision: provision that a decision must be made within 30 days from the date of application submission (timeline mentioned in regulation and citizen charter)
Fee: “free of charge” is mentioned in the citizen charter
If you collected statistics after obtaining permission, verification service may apply before publishing reports/results publicly. The citizen charter mentions this service and timeline.
Application (which study, under which permission, which results)
Draft report
(If available) abstract/key indicator list and necessary supporting files
Decision: citizen charter mentions a decision within 30 days
Fee: citizen charter mentions “free of charge”
Reports/publications/indicator booklets published by NSO/Statistics Coordination Offices (subject to availability).
Documents: written application + copy of identification document
Time: the same day the application is received
Fee: free of charge
Documents: a document that identifies the person
Time: during office hours
Fee: free of charge
Tip: readers (students/media) who need citation/references should develop the habit of noting the title, year, and page number to make later source verification easier.
This service is intended to facilitate statistical work for local/provincial/central bodies (e.g., data needs, indicator definitions, coordination). The citizen charter mentions that a written application and a copy of the decision are required, and the related costs must be borne by the concerned body.
Documents: written application + copy of decision
Cost: to be borne by the concerned body/institution
The Statistics Regulation, 2080 sets conditions for microdata use. Practically, remember it as follows.
Cite the source (dataset/year/producer)
Clearly write method/sample/limitations in the report/research
Reduce identification risk (small cell) when making outputs public
Attempt to identify respondents or produce results that reveal identity
Share/upload received microdata to others
Use the data for purposes other than what was stated in the application
Microdata is unit-level (individual/household) data; reports contain summary tables/indicators derived from it.
As per the citizen charter, within 3 working days after revenue is received.
Census microdata: NPR 4,000; survey microdata: NPR 2,500.
The regulation includes a condition not to share with third parties; if needed, it is appropriate to seek clarity through official processes for supervisor/institutional use.
Availability depends on the dataset and confidentiality conditions; request only after confirming available levels from the Catalog/NSO.
The regulation provides a permission process to ensure quality/standards/coordination and reduce duplication.
The regulation/citizen charter mentions a provision for a decision within 30 days.
As per the citizen charter, publication distribution and library services are free of charge.
A document that identifies the person; during office hours.
A web-based catalog to browse/search/compare/apply for datasets.
Office hours by season are mentioned on NSO’s official contact page.
You can find the concerned offices from NSO’s subsidiary/supporting link list.
Statistics Regulation, 2080 (NSO): service fees/process/schedules
Citizen charters of Statistics Coordination Offices: service documents/time/free services
Microdata Catalog (NADA): dataset search/application
NSO contact/field office link list
This content is for understanding information/procedures. For formal interpretation or decisions under law/rules, rely on NSO’s updated notices/regulations and, if necessary, advice from qualified legal/technical professionals.
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