Article 56 – Structure of the State

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal shall have three main levels of structure: federal, provincial and local.

The State powers of Nepal shall be used by the federal, provincial and the local level in accordance with this constitution.

There shall be the provinces with the districts listed in Schedule-4 that prevail at the commencement of this Constitution in Nepal.

Under the local level, there shall be Village Council, Municipal Council and District Assembly. The number of wards in a Village council and Municipal Council shall be as provided for in a Federal law.

Special, protected and autonomous regions may be created for socio-cultural protection or economic development according to Federal law.

The Federation, provinces and local levels shall protect Nepal’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, autonomy, national interests, overall development, multi-party competitive democratic republic and federal system of governance, human rights and fundamental rights, rule of law, separation of powers and check and balance, equitable society based on plurality and equality, and inclusive representation and identity.