Nepal's Supreme Court Rules NID Card Cannot Be Sole Proof for Banking Services
Nepal's Supreme Court has issued a mandamus order overturning the Nepal Rastra Bank's requirement that citizens must present a National Identity Card to access banking services. The court mandates a "two-channel verification" process, allowing existing documents like citizenship certificates to suffice until an NID is obtained. The ruling addresses widespread hardship faced by senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and others lacking access to the mandatory ID.
KATHMANDU, Oct 10 — In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court (SC) of Nepal has issued a mandamus order striking down the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) directive that made the National Identity (NID) Card mandatory for accessing banking services.
The apex court has directed the government and relevant authorities to provide banking services based on existing identification documents, such as citizenship certificates, until a National Identity Card or National Identity Number is obtained. The SC issued this order, mandating that banking services be provided through a "two-channel verification" process.
A joint bench comprising Supreme Court Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Meghraj Pokharel issued the order on Friday, addressing the plight of citizens deprived of banking services due to the mandatory NID requirement.
The order directs that banking services be made available based on other identification documents until the NID Card or NID number is acquired.
Advocate Sarita Adhikari, originally from Phungling Municipality-9, Taplejung, and currently residing in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-29, had filed the writ petition, naming the following as respondents:
- Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Department of National ID and Civil Registration
- Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
- Nepal Investment Mega Bank Limited
The petition highlighted the difficulties faced by the general public due to the requirement to submit an NID Card or its number when updating Know Your Customer (KYC) details or changing mobile numbers with banks and financial institutions.
Due to this provision, a large number of service seekers across the country—including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those without access to technology—had been deprived of operating their existing bank accounts and accessing financial services.
The SC has ruled that, in the context of legal and administrative provisions, including the NRB's Unified Directive, 2025, the requirement to use the NID Card or its number as the sole basis for verifying a citizen's identity shall not be mandatory for the time being.