KATHMANDU, July 4: Nepal could soon move towards a new model of national preparedness, with the government proposing legislation that would allow any Nepali citizen—not just school students—to receive military training and be mobilized during war, internal conflict or other national emergencies.
A bill registered in the House of Representatives seeks to replace the National Cadet Corps Act, 1970, transforming the decades-old student cadet programme into a broader pool of trained civilians who could support the country's security agencies and public service efforts during crises.
The bill, tabled on behalf of Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Balendra Shah, reflects what the government describes as a response to evolving internal and external security challenges. Officials say Nepal's growing exposure to natural disasters, public health emergencies and regional security uncertainties has exposed the need for a larger reserve of trained human resources.
If enacted, the legislation would mark one of the most significant shifts in Nepal's civil-military framework in decades. While the existing law limits the National Cadet Corps to students, the proposed legislation extends eligibility to any Nepali citizen and, under certain circumstances, institutions as well.
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A central feature of the bill is the creation of a legal mechanism to mobilize trained volunteers during war, internal conflict or other national emergencies. Such mobilization would require a Cabinet decision. Current legislation does not explicitly authorize the deployment of trained civilians, leaving the cadet programme largely confined to educational institutions.
The proposal also reshapes the command structure. Although the National Cadet Corps currently functions independently, it would come under the operational command of the Nepali Army during special circumstances and could be deployed wherever required.
The government's vision extends well beyond military preparedness. Besides promoting discipline and patriotism, trained cadets and volunteers could be called upon to assist in disaster response, infrastructure development, environmental protection, epidemic and pandemic management, public service and other national missions.
The bill also introduces several institutional reforms. It proposes appointing a retired lieutenant general as director general of the National Cadet Corps for a two-year term on the recommendation of the Chief of Army Staff. It further requires electronic record-keeping for cadets and mandates annual progress reports to improve transparency and administration.
According to the bill, the objective is to develop disciplined, motivated and skilled human resources capable of supporting the Nepali Army and other security agencies whenever national crises overwhelm existing state capacity. The proposal appears to be based on the assessment that the country's regular security forces alone may not be sufficient during large-scale emergencies.
"Given Nepal's vulnerability to war, internal conflict, natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and landslides, and pandemics like COVID-19, the bill clearly assigns responsibility for mobilizing cadets and trained citizens whenever necessary. This is the need of the hour," a Ministry of Defence official said.
The proposal also draws constitutional backing. Article 51(a) of the Constitution directs the state to adopt policies that prepare citizens for national service. While the current law primarily aims to instil discipline and patriotism among students, the new bill seeks to broaden that concept by incorporating citizens into a national preparedness framework.
However, the proposal is also expected to trigger debate. Clause 8 of the bill's concept paper and Section 18 of the proposed law authorize the training and mobilization of any Nepali citizen during special circumstances. Government officials acknowledge that translating the proposal into practice will not be straightforward.
Questions are likely to arise over civil liberties, the role of civilians in security operations and the extent of military involvement in public life. Key issues—including who will be eligible for training, whether participation will be voluntary or mandatory, how volunteers will be selected and what standards will govern their deployment—will be determined through regulations to be framed by the Cabinet if the bill becomes law.
The legislation would replace the 56-year-old National Cadet Corps Act, enacted during the Panchayat era and never substantially revised, making it one of the most comprehensive reforms of Nepal's cadet programme since its inception.
The existing junior and senior divisions for school students will continue. Yet the proposal to extend military training and emergency mobilization to the broader public signals a major policy shift, potentially redefining the relationship between citizens, the military and the state. As the bill moves through Parliament, lawmakers are expected to scrutinize its legal, constitutional and practical implications before deciding whether to endorse the government's ambitious vision.
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