KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives today approved by majority a proposal to consider the amendments made by the National Assembly on the Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The proposal was submitted by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

The bill was registered in the House of Representatives on 29 January 2025. A general discussion took place on 17 February 2025.

The bill was then sent to the committee for clause-wise discussion on 31 March 2025 and submitted to the House with the committee report on 20 June 2025.

The House passed the bill on 29 June 2025 and the National Assembly approved it on 21 August and returned it with a message.

Responding to MPs’ queries, Home Minister Lekhak said the current government has introduced various bills to provide citizens with easier and simpler services, and he thanked the federal parliament for prioritizing their discussion.

He expressed satisfaction that the bill, related to constitutional rights, was discussed with priority to strengthen it.

The bill provides citizenship in the mother’s name, implementing the provisions already in the constitution.

Minister Lekhak emphasized that this is a historic step, allowing children without known fathers to receive citizenship through their mother.

The bill allows obtaining citizenship solely through the mother’s name, grants citizenship to children born abroad, and ensures the rights of children.

Procedures for acquiring citizenship have also been simplified.

The bill focuses on ensuring no citizen is deprived of the right to citizenship and provides for children born to citizens to receive citizenship.

The minister assured the House that self-declaration provisions in the bill will not be misused, and the government is vigilant to ensure non-Nepalis do not obtain citizenship.

Regarding non-resident Nepali citizens, the government will soon present a separate law in line with the constitution to grant citizenship and economic and cultural rights.

MPs highlighted that the bill is significant for gender equality and will ease citizenship acquisition for many children and adolescents who previously faced difficulties.

It addresses the issues of marginalized groups, including Dalits and communities in Terai like Dom and Musahar, who have long been unable to obtain citizenship.

MPs also welcomed provisions facilitating citizenship for children of single mothers and other long-unregistered citizens, while noting some areas needing improvement, such as self-declaration for children without fathers.

The bill is also expected to prevent ambiguities in citizenship distribution and ensure easy identification for stateless Nepalis, while MPs cautioned against potential misuse in border areas and the need to maintain national integrity.