What Is 1st Federal Parliament of Nepal

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1st Federal Parliament of Nepal was established in 2018 following the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, marking the country's transition to a federal democratic republic with a bicameral legislature consisting of 275 members in the House of Representatives and 59 in the National Assembly.

Key Facts

Inaugurated on March 13, 2018, after the 2017 general elections
Comprises 275 members in the House of Representatives and 59 in the National Assembly
First session convened in Kathmandu on March 14, 2018
Formed under the Constitution of Nepal adopted on September 20, 2015
Led by Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, elected in 2018

Overview

The 1st Federal Parliament of Nepal marked a historic shift in the nation's governance, transitioning from a monarchy to a federal democratic republic. Established under the 2015 Constitution, it replaced the previous Constituent Assembly and became Nepal’s first fully empowered legislative body under the new federal structure.

This parliament symbolized the culmination of over a decade of political transformation following the end of the civil war in 2006 and the abolition of the monarchy in 2008. It was formally inaugurated on March 13, 2018, after nationwide elections held in two phases on November 26 and December 7, 2017.

275 members were elected to the House of Representatives, with 165 from first-past-the-post constituencies and 110 through proportional representation.
The National Assembly consists of 59 members, with 8 members elected from each of the seven provinces and 3 appointed by the President on government recommendation.
The first session convened in Kathmandu on March 14, 2018, with President Bidya Devi Bhandari addressing the joint session.
Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara of the NCP (UML) was elected unopposed on March 14, 2018, marking the start of parliamentary proceedings.
The Constitution of Nepal, adopted on September 20, 2015, provided the legal foundation for this bicameral federal legislature.

How It Works

The 1st Federal Parliament operates under a bicameral system defined by Nepal’s 2015 Constitution, with distinct roles and responsibilities for each chamber. The structure ensures representation across geographic, ethnic, and political lines, promoting inclusive governance.

Term: The House of Representatives has a fixed term of five years unless dissolved earlier, while the National Assembly is a permanent body with one-third of its members retiring every two years.
Leadership: The Speaker, elected by the House, presides over sessions and ensures adherence to parliamentary rules, with Deputy Speaker Ishwari Neupane elected in 2018.
Legislative Process: Bills can originate in either house (except money bills, which must begin in the House), requiring approval from both chambers and presidential assent.
Representation: The proportional representation system allocates seats based on party votes, with 33% reserved for women and additional quotas for Dalits and minorities.
Functions: The parliament enacts laws, approves budgets, ratifies treaties, and oversees the executive branch through question hours and committee reviews.
Meetings: Sessions are held regularly in Kathmandu, with the Speaker convening at least two sessions per year as mandated by the Constitution.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1st Federal Parliament with previous legislative bodies in Nepal:

Legislative Body	Years Active	Total Members	System Type	Key Feature
1st Federal Parliament	2018–2023	334 (275 + 59)	Bicameral	First federal legislature under 2015 Constitution
Second Constituent Assembly	2014–2017	601	Unicameral	Drafted and adopted the 2015 Constitution
First Constituent Assembly	2008–2012	601	Unicameral	Abolished monarchy, declared republic
House of Representatives (1999)	1999–2002	205	Unicameral	Pre-monarchy abolition, under constitutional monarchy
National Panchayat (1962)	1962–1990	140	Non-partisan	Authoritarian system under Panchayat rule

The transition from unicameral to bicameral systems reflects Nepal’s evolving democratic maturity. The 1st Federal Parliament introduced greater regional representation through provincial input in the National Assembly and enhanced inclusivity in lawmaking.

Why It Matters

The 1st Federal Parliament was a cornerstone in Nepal’s democratic development, institutionalizing federalism and power-sharing after years of conflict and political instability. Its formation ensured a more decentralized governance model, empowering local governments and marginalized communities.

Historic transition: Marked Nepal’s full transition from a unitary monarchy to a federal democratic republic after the 2006 People’s Movement.
Women’s representation: Achieved 33.9% female MPs in the House, one of the highest in South Asia at the time.
Legal reforms: Passed key legislation including the Federalism Implementation Act and Provincial Powers Act in 2018–2019.
Accountability: Strengthened oversight of the executive through parliamentary committees and public hearings.
Conflict resolution: Provided a peaceful platform for political negotiation, reducing risks of renewed civil unrest.
Model for stability: Set a precedent for democratic transitions in post-conflict societies globally.

By embedding federalism and inclusivity into the legislative framework, the 1st Federal Parliament laid the foundation for sustainable governance in Nepal, influencing future political structures and regional autonomy.