Life stages in Nepal

Nepal has no single authority responsible for every life-stage matter. Federal, provincial and local governments, wards, schools, health and social-service providers, families and communities perform different functions, so access and implementation can vary by location. During childhood, बालबालिका have rights to identity, birth registration, early childhood development, care, protection, education, play and participation. Early childhood development normally provides one year before Grade 1 from age four. Grades 1–8 are compulsory and free under the legal framework, and Grades 9–12 are free; Dalit children are entitled to free education including a scholarship under the relevant law. Birth registration is reported at the वडा or to the Local Registrar, usually within 35 days at no charge. A late registration can incur a fee. A birth certificate and the citizenship documents of a parent or caregiver are used when applying for the child nutrition allowance. The current allowance covers children under five in specified areas and districts and Dalit families nationwide, up to two children per mother, at Rs 532 per month. Youth pathways include school or higher education, vocational skills, employment, self-employment, youth networks and clubs, counselling, leadership activities and concessional youth enterprise loans. The age definition is not uniform: National Youth Policy 2082 uses 18–35, while the National Youth Council Act 2072 uses 16–40. The National Youth Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports support different programmes, whose deadlines, costs and target groups follow each announcement. Some programmes prioritise women, Adivasi Janajati, Madhesi, Dalit, Muslim, conflict-affected and disabled applicants or people in Karnali and other disadvantaged regions. Nepal has no single legal starting age for adulthood. Practical markers include applying for citizenship from age 16 when eligibility is met, voting from age 18 and marrying from age 20. Citizenship applications generally involve the Chief District Officer, a local recommendation and proof of descent. Work, professional activity and business rights are governed by separate rules. Work is prohibited for children under 14, and hazardous work is prohibited for children; other work by minors has additional protection and documentation requirements. Family care and community support remain significant, particularly for older people and people who cannot care for themselves. ज्येष्ठ नागरिक means a person aged 60 or older. The Senior Citizen Act places care duties on families and protection duties on the state and allows care centres or day service centres that may be free or fee-based. The social security allowance is separate from the legal age category: people aged 70 or older receive Rs 4,000 per month nationwide, while Dalit people aged 60 or older and people aged 60 or older in former Karnali districts receive Rs 2,660 per month. Applications are made at the permanent वडा with citizenship evidence and the required form. After entry into the system, payment starts from the following month; annual renewal is required by the end of Shrawan or Bhadra. Only one qualifying category may be paid, and a move requires a transfer record and registration at the new ward. Care dependency support is fragmented. Local governments issue disability identity cards, and non-contributory allowances include Rs 3,990 per month for complete disability with a red Class A card and Rs 2,128 for severe disability with a blue Class B card. Applications use the disability identity card, citizenship document or birth registration. For people over 90, people with complete disability or people unable to care for themselves, a guardian, माथवर or caregiver may handle the application or bank arrangements. The available evidence does not establish a universal state long-term-care or care allowance; family care, care centres, day service centres and local administration provide functional alternatives, with availability and costs differing by area. Personal events must be reported by the responsible family member or person within 35 days at the permanent वडा or the place where the event occurred. The register and certificate support identity, school admission, citizenship, elections, marriage and social-security access. A move lasting more than six months must also be registered. In child-protection crises, the free 1098 child helpline can arrange rescue, counselling, temporary shelter or protection, family reunification and social or institutional reintegration. The National Child Rights Council coordinates with local governments, police, child-protection services, child welfare officers and child courts. Support for older-person or care crises is more fragmented and usually begins with the ward, a guardian or caregiver and the relevant social-security process.