Banking News – Universities and their affiliated colleges across Nepal will now be required to provide full scholarships to at least 10% of their students, following a new policy aimed at expanding access to education, equal opportunities, and social justice.

Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, said the scholarship model successfully implemented within the Kathmandu Metropolitan City school system is now being institutionalized at the university level. Under the new provision, all universities and every affiliated college must provide full scholarships to a minimum of 10% of enrolled students.

Calling the initiative “another important step toward ensuring educational access, equal opportunity, and social justice,” Minister Pokharel said the policy would strengthen inclusivity in higher education.

According to the ministry, seven universities, including Tribhuvan University, have already issued public notices and begun the process of implementing the mandatory 10% scholarship scheme. The vice-chancellors of all seven universities have jointly taken the initiative to ensure the policy is effectively enforced.

Under the universities’ directives, all affiliated campuses and colleges must comply with the scholarship requirement while admitting students for the 2026/27 (2083/84 BS) academic session.

A notice issued by Tribhuvan University’s Directorate of Student Welfare and Sports requires colleges to publish scholarship details on their official websites and submit the information to the relevant dean’s office as well as the university’s Directorate of Student Welfare and Sports.

Similarly, the Office of the Registrar of Purbanchal University has instructed all colleges, schools, and campuses operating undergraduate and postgraduate programs under its faculties to allocate at least 10% of approved seats for scholarships beginning with the 2083/84 academic session.

According to university regulations, 10% of the total approved seats must be reserved for meritorious students, economically disadvantaged students, and those from targeted communities. Beneficiaries will be selected in accordance with the scholarship guidelines of the respective affiliated campus or college.

Earlier, on April 12, 2026 (Chaitra 30, 2082 BS), the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology had directed local governments to monitor and facilitate the implementation of the mandatory 10% scholarship provision in both public and private schools, warning that institutions failing to comply could face legal action.

The ministry had also requested the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to coordinate with local governments to monitor whether schools were properly updating and implementing scholarship records in accordance with the Education Act and its regulations.