The government plans to integrate digital signatures with the national identity card (NID), according to a draft of the electronic governance (e-governance) blueprint released for public consultation by the e-Governance Board on Monday.
"We are making arrangements to store digital signatures on the national identity card itself," said Kedarmani Bhandari, a computer engineer at the board, in an interview with New Business Age . "Our goal is to enable the use of the same card wherever a digital signature is required." He added that the initiative will begin with government agencies but will not be mandatory.
Since mid-June, the national identity card has been made mandatory for all public services, leading to a surge in registrations. According to the Department of National Identity Cards and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR), as of February 10, a total of 16.5 million citizens have registered for the card. While all registered individuals have received an identity card number, only six million cards have been printed, and two million have been distributed.
The blueprint outlines a seven-pillar action plan for implementation, with a one-year deadline following its approval. Key initiatives include drafting the e-Governance Act, restructuring the Department of Information Technology, establishing a Data Protection Authority, implementing the Data Protection Act and related guidelines, and developing a monitoring and evaluation framework.
Additionally, the draft proposes reviewing regulations requiring physical presence, formulating a national data strategy, and creating a data exchange platform. It also suggests integrating digital signatures with official circulars and conducting a detailed assessment of digital signature governance and usage. The action plan includes setting up citizen service centers, incorporating cyber hygiene topics into the public service examination, and introducing a new academic program on digital technologies.
Bhandari stated that the proposed degree program will cover global advancements in digital technology that have yet to be adopted in Nepal. The program is expected to launch in September 2025, although discussions on the level at which it will be implemented are ongoing.
To ensure effective execution of the blueprint, foundational measures will focus on strengthening institutional frameworks at federal and provincial levels. The document emphasizes the need for strong political commitment, high-level policy coordination, and leadership with adequate authority.
The blueprint also proposes integrating startups into government mechanisms to institutionalize collaboration. As part of this policy, IT startups will be mobilized for e-governance development.
Aimed at making public services more accessible, transparent, and efficient, the blueprint seeks to establish the necessary policy and legal frameworks, enhance institutional capacity, digitize governance processes, and promote innovation, research, and development in digital governance.
