1. Before you start
The Nagarik (“citizen”) App puts services of many government offices — Inland Revenue, Nepal Police, transport, passports, the National ID system and the big savings funds — behind one identity-verified login. Setup takes minutes if your details match government records; the checklist below covers what trips people up.
Your preparation
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Only checklist ticks are saved on this device. Tools Pasal never asks for or stores your citizenship number, NIN, PAN, OTP, PIN or any document data — enter those only in the official Nagarik App or portal.
2. Click the section you need
These are the areas users ask about most. The app updates frequently, so labels can shift between versions — each section describes what the step asks for rather than exact button text.
Field list reviewed against the official registration flow on 3 July 2026. The app may reword labels between versions; the required information stays the same.
Type the number exactly as printed on your citizenship certificate, including any dashes or district prefix shown.
A mismatch with the DAO (district administration office) record blocks verification.Use the BS date printed on the certificate. If your documents disagree with what you memorise, the certificate wins.
Both are printed on the certificate. Select the issuing district from the list; do not guess your home district if the certificate was issued elsewhere.
Enter a number whose SIM is registered in your own name, then type the OTP it receives. Registration ties the account to this number.
OTP never arrives? First suspect SIM ownership — check with your operator whose name the SIM carries.Set a PIN you don't reuse elsewhere and enable fingerprint or face unlock for daily opening.
3. What the app can and cannot do (honestly)
Applying & viewing
Registering a PAN, viewing linked documents, checking e-Chalan fines, PF/CIT statements and filing supported police reports genuinely save office queues.
Replacing paper
March 2026 reporting found many offices still demand original certificates or photocopies even when the same record is visible in the app. Carry originals for official work.
4. Common mistakes that block registration
- Trying to register with a SIM that is in a family member's or shop's name — the OTP identity match fails.
- Typing the citizenship issue date or district from memory instead of reading the certificate.
- Installing a lookalike app instead of the official Government of Nepal listing.
- Sharing the app PIN or OTP with form-filling shops or 'agents' — they get durable access to your identity records.
- Assuming the app replaces original documents everywhere — many offices still ask for paper copies.
- Registering on someone else's phone and staying logged in there.
5. Frequently asked questions
Is the Nagarik App free?
Yes. The app, registration and document linking are free Government of Nepal services. Individual services accessed through it (like a new PAN or paying a traffic fine) follow their own official fees.
Why does registration fail or the OTP never arrive?
The most common cause is SIM ownership: the mobile number must be registered in your own name so it can be matched with your citizenship record. The second most common cause is citizenship details typed differently from the certificate — number, birth date, issue date and issuing district must match the DAO record exactly.
Can I use the Nagarik App without a smartphone?
Yes — the official web portal at web.nagarikapp.gov.np offers browser access to Nagarik App services with the same identity verification.
Is the digital licence or ID in the app accepted instead of the physical card?
Not reliably yet. Reporting from March 2026 shows many government offices and checkpoints still ask for original documents or photocopies. Treat the app as a convenient viewer and application channel, and carry originals for official work until acceptance is formally announced.
Can I get my citizenship certificate through the app?
No. The app can display identity records and link documents, but citizenship certificates are still issued and replaced by District Administration Offices. See our citizenship certificate guide for that process.
I changed my phone or number — what happens to my account?
Install the app on the new phone and verify again with your citizenship details and OTP. If your mobile number changed, complete your operator's SIM ownership process for the new number first, since the OTP match depends on it.