Nepal’s Supreme Court has ordered Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) not to make a national identity card the mandatory and sole basis for opening or updating bank accounts. The court directed the central bank to ensure banking services are available to citizens who do not have a national identity card or its number using alternative documents, including citizenship certificates.
The order responds to a writ petition challenging NRB’s requirement for a national identity card to access banking services.
Banking access without a national identity card
A bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Meghraj Pokharel issued the directive. Under the order, citizens without a national identity card or its number can use alternative documents, including a citizenship certificate, for banking services.
The court’s order means NRB cannot require the national identity card as the only basis for opening or updating bank accounts.
