NSO Services

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).

Before taking a service

Do you need “published facts” or “microdata”?

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).

Do you want to conduct a new survey claiming “national representation”?

In that case, the permission process applies (documents: decision, concept note, questionnaire, sample/method, etc.).

After permission, before making results public

The citizen charter mentions a service to verify statistics collected with permission before publication (including decision/timeline).

Service 1: Obtaining census microdata (Microdata)

Who is it useful for?

• Undergraduate/postgraduate thesis, research paper, policy analysis, program evaluation

• Situations requiring “cross-tab/modeling” that published tables cannot provide

Documents, time, fee

• 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

Step-by-step: From application to receiving data

1. Identify the dataset: first search the dataset name/year/coverage in the Microdata Catalog (NADA).

2. Prepare the application: clearly write the purpose, required dataset, required geographic level, and expected output (thesis/report).

3. 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.

4. Pay the fee (revenue): match the fee according to your category (student/citizen/institution).

5. 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.”

6. Receive the data: as per the citizen charter, facilitation/availability is provided within 3 working days after revenue is received.

Service 2: Obtaining survey microdata (Microdata)

Documents, time, fee

• 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

Step-by-step

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.

Service 3: Permission for nationally representative data collection

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.

Required documents (practical list)

• 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

Timeline/fee

• 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

Service 4: Verification before publishing permitted statistics

If you collected statistics after obtaining permission, verification service may apply before publishing reports/results publicly. The citizen charter mentions this service and timeline.

Minimum materials to attach

• Application (which study, under which permission, which results)

• Draft report

• (If available) abstract/key indicator list and necessary supporting files

Timeline/fee

• Decision: citizen charter mentions a decision within 30 days

• Fee: citizen charter mentions “free of charge”

Service 5: Publication distribution (Publication Distribution)

What is available?

Reports/publications/indicator booklets published by NSO/Statistics Coordination Offices (subject to availability).

Documents/time/fee

• Documents: written application + copy of identification document

• Time: the same day the application is received

• Fee: free of charge

Service 6: Library service

How to take the service?

• 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.

Service 7: Support/ coordination for statistical work for government / public institutions

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/cost

• Documents: written application + copy of decision

• Cost: to be borne by the concerned body/institution

“Do/Don’t” for microdata use (high-risk section)

The Statistics Regulation, 2080 sets conditions for microdata use. Practically, remember it as follows.

Do

• Cite the source (dataset/year/producer)

• Clearly write method/sample/limitations in the report/research

• Reduce identification risk (small cell) when making outputs public

Don’t

• 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

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the difference between microdata and published reports?

Microdata is unit-level (individual/household) data; reports contain summary tables/indicators derived from it.

How many days does it take to obtain microdata?

As per the citizen charter, within 3 working days after revenue is received.

What is the student fee?

Census microdata: NPR 4,000; survey microdata: NPR 2,500.

After receiving microdata, can I share it with classmates/team members?

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.

Is municipality/ward-level microdata available?

Availability depends on the dataset and confidentiality conditions; request only after confirming available levels from the Catalog/NSO.

Why is permission required to conduct a nationally representative survey?

The regulation provides a permission process to ensure quality/standards/coordination and reduce duplication.

In how many days is the permission decision made?

The regulation/citizen charter mentions a provision for a decision within 30 days.

Is publication distribution service free of charge?

As per the citizen charter, publication distribution and library services are free of charge.

What is required to use the library service?

A document that identifies the person; during office hours.

What is the Microdata Catalog for?

A web-based catalog to browse/search/compare/apply for datasets.

Where can I see NSO office hours?

Office hours by season are mentioned on NSO’s official contact page.

Where are the field offices (Statistics Coordination Offices)?

You can find the concerned offices from NSO’s subsidiary/supporting link list.

Official references

• 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

Disclaimer

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.