PRESENTED BY: PRESENTED TO:

Rozim Maharjan ROJESH Sir

Kamal Basnet
Pratikchyaa Dangol
Lalana Bajracharya
Kritika shrestha
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided
between a central government and regional governments. It is a way
of organizing a country so that different levels of government have
distinct areas of responsibility and decision-making authority.
▪ DIVISION OF POWERS : The power is decentralised in various levels such as central,
provincial and local level.
▪ WRITTEN CONSTITUTION: The federal constitution must be specific and
documented. Without a written constitution it is never possible to easily demarcate the
division of powers between the Centre and the State.
▪ SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION: The Constitution is the main source of all the
powers of the Executive, legislative, and judiciary. All the institutions function under the
control of the Constitution, they derived their existence from the constitution.
▪ RIGID CONSTITUTION: It cannot be easily amended, and this is to maintain the
supremacy of the constitution. e.g. Amendments can be made by simple majority,
special majority, or special majority plus ratification of the state.
▪ UNITYY AND DIVERSITY: The federal system thus has dual objectives: to safeguard
and promote unity of the country, while at the same time accommodate regional
diversity.
The federal government in Nepal is made up of three branches: the legislative branch, the executive
branch, and the judicial branch.
▪ Legislative branch
The legislative branch is responsible for making laws.
1. It is made up of two houses: the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.
2. The House of Representatives is the lower house and is composed of 275 members elected by popul
vote.
3. The National Assembly is the upper house and is composed of 59 members, 56 of whom are elected
an electoral college and 3 of whom are appointed by the president.
▪ Executive Branch
The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws.
1. It is led by the president, who is the head of state, and the prime minister, who is
the head of government.
2. The president is elected by an electoral college and serves a six-year term.
3. The prime minister is appointed by the president and leads the Council of
Ministers, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the
government.
▪ Judicial Branch
The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the laws and administering
justice.
1. It is made up of the Supreme Court and other lower courts.
2. The Supreme Court is the highest court in Nepal and is responsible for
interpreting the constitution and other laws.
3. It is made up of a chief justice and other justices, who are appointed by the
president on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council.
In addition to the federal government, Nepal is also divided into seven federal provinces,
each with its own government and elected representatives. The provinces have their own
powers and responsibilities, and they are able to make decisions and pass laws related to
certain issues within their jurisdiction. However, the central government has the final say
on matters of national importance.
1. Distribution of resources: One of the main challenges has been the distribution of
resources between the central and regional governments. There have been concerns
about the allocation of resources and funding to the different regions, and about the
ability of the regional governments to deliver essential services and support
development.
2. Balance of power: There have also been concerns about the balance of power
between the central and regional governments, with some arguing that the central
government has too much control and that the regional governments do not have
enough autonomy.
3. Integration of Maoist rebels: Another challenge has been the integration of former
Maoist rebels into the political system. The Maoists were a key force in Nepal’s civil
war and played a significant role in the transition to federalism, but their integration
into mainstream politics has been controversial and has faced challenges.
4. Implementation of federalism: There have also been challenges related to the
implementation of federalism in Nepal, including issues related to the creation of
new provinces, the allocation of resources and funding, and the development of new
systems and processes.
Overall, while federalism in Nepal has been seen as a way to address long-standing
issues of regional inequality and political instability, it has also faced a number of
challenges and issues that have required careful consideration..
▪ Decentralization of power: Federalism allows for the decentralization of power,
allowing regional governments to have more autonomy in decision-making and
policy-making. This can lead to more responsive and effective governance at the
local level.
▪ Greater representation: Federalism allows for the creation of smaller, more
representative political units, which can be more responsive to the needs and
concerns of local communities.
▪ Promotion of diversity: Federalism can help to promote diversity by allowing
different regions to have their own unique cultural, economic, and political
systems.
▪ Improved economic development: Federalism can lead to improved economic
development by allowing regional governments to tailor policies to the specific
needs and resources of their region.
▪ Complexity: Federal systems can be more complex than unitary systems, as there are
multiple levels of government with overlapping jurisdictions. This can lead to confusion
and inefficiency.
▪ Potential for conflict: Federal systems can also lead to conflict between central and
regional governments, as they may have different priorities and agendas.
▪ Costs: Federal systems can be more expensive to maintain than unitary systems, as
there are multiple levels of government that need to be funded.
▪ Ethno-regional tensions: The adoption of federalism in Nepal has also been
accompanied by tensions and conflicts between different ethno-regional groups, as
some groups have pushed for greater autonomy and others have opposed it. This has
led to political polarization and potential for violence.
Overall, the benefits and drawbacks of federalism in Nepal will depend on how it is
implemented and how well it is managed. It is important for Nepal to carefully consider
these issues as it continues to develop its federal system.
In conclusion, federalism is a system of government in which power is divided
between a central government and regional governments. In Nepal, the adoption of
federalism in 2015 represented a major shift in the country’s political structure, as it
moved from a unitary system to a federal system. There are several potential benefits
to federalism in Nepal, including greater regional autonomy, decentralization of
power, greater representation, promotion of diversity, and improved economic
development. However, there are also potential drawbacks to federalism in Nepal,
including complexity, potential for conflict, costs, implementation challenges, and
ethno-regional tensions. Overall, the benefits and drawbacks of federalism in Nepal
will depend on how it is implemented and how well it is managed..