The E-Governance Board has convened a multi-stakeholder discussion on the proposed National Data Exchange Platform (NDEP) and data interoperability—an initiative aimed at simplifying government services, enhancing transparency, and advancing Nepal’s Digital Governance agenda.
The platform, part of the Digital Nepal Framework, will enable government bodies to securely share information through a single interface. Officials say this will help reduce duplication, streamline service delivery, and improve accountability across institutions.
Chiranjibi Adhikari, Senior Vice President of the CAN Federation and CEO of One Cover Pvt. Ltd., highlighted that the system will ease the burden on citizens. “Currently, people have to submit the same details to multiple agencies. With this platform, they will only need to provide their personal and biometric information once,” he said.
Adhikari also noted that tools like the Nagarik App laid the groundwork but inefficiencies persist due to the lack of interoperability. For example, agencies such as the Employee Provident Fund and the Social Security Fund use separate standards, while hospitals cannot access patient histories from insurers. “A unified data platform is the solution,” he added.
According to the E-Governance Board, the system will ensure automatic and secure data transfers between agencies, integrating both government and private organizations into a connected ecosystem. Experts believe it can be used across sectors such as healthcare, taxation, customs, and national identity management, with potential to incorporate artificial intelligence for advanced data analysis.
Officials stressed that security and standardisation will remain top priorities. By introducing common data protocols, agencies will be able to “speak the same language,” ensuring smooth collaboration and safeguarding sensitive information.
The inclusion of the National Data Exchange Platform in Nepal’s annual policies and programmes underscores the government’s commitment to modernising governance. “This is more than a technological upgrade—it is a transformative leap for Nepal,” Adhikari said. “It will simplify administration and empower every citizen.”
