Nepal’s Biometric Present: Governance, Accessibility and Accountability

In November 2018, the Government of Nepal launched its National ID (NID) system, an ambitious digital identity framework aimed at achieving universal biometric enrollment of all residents by 2023. Under this scheme, each individual is assigned a unique 10-digit identification number anchored to biometric indicators such as digital photographs, ten-fingerprints and iris scans, alongside core demographic data. Designed primarily as an online verification mechanism to streamline governance and service delivery, the NID’s functional application within the digital ecosystem has, however, remained profoundly underutilized since its inception.