AmarnepalNepal Data
Government & law

What is Gaunpalika vs Nagarpalika?

गाउँपालिका / नगरपालिका

A gaunpalika is a rural municipality and a nagarpalika is an (urban) municipality — both are local-government units in Nepal. Nagarpalika serve more urban, denser areas; gaunpalika serve rural ones. Larger cities are sub-metropolitan (upa-mahanagarpalika) or metropolitan (mahanagarpalika).

Nepal has 753 local levels: 6 metropolitan cities, 11 sub-metropolitan cities, 276 municipalities (nagarpalika) and 460 rural municipalities (gaunpalika).

Each is divided into wards and run by an elected mayor/chairperson and assembly with significant constitutional powers.

Provinces & local levels

Sources & data note

Definitions explain standard Nepali terms in everyday and official use. Land-unit conversions follow the standard Nepali measurement system; tax and contribution rates reflect current law (Income Tax Act 2058, VAT Act 2052, Social Security Act 2074) and are revised each fiscal year by the Finance Act — always confirm current-year figures with the relevant authority.