How to Write a CV in Nepal: Format & Guide 2026

Nepal's formal labour market is shaped by a young, highly educated workforce, significant remittance flows, and a structured civil service that coexists with a growing private sector in banking, telecommunications, hydropower, and tourism. A competitive Nepalese CV must meet the expectations of both domestic recruiters and the technical assessors used by international development organisations, which together form the backbone of formal professional hiring in Kathmandu and beyond.

The Nepal CV Format

The document is called a CV (curriculum vitae). The reverse-chronological format is standard for most applications. A biodata format, listing personal details in a structured table, is still used in the government sector and for some NGO applications, but the narrative CV is increasingly the norm in the private sector. One to two pages is appropriate for most candidates; government and development sector applications may run to three pages with competency demonstrations.

English is the preferred language for formal CVs in Nepal's corporate and NGO sectors. The Nepal Civil Service uses Nepali as its official language, and candidates for government posts should prepare a Nepali-language version or submit a formal biodata following the prescribed format of the Public Service Commission (Lok Sewa Aayog).

Personal Information on a Nepalese CV

Include full name, date of birth, nationality, citizenship number (for government applications), permanent and temporary address, phone number, and professional email. A passport-style photo in the top-right corner is standard in both the private and public sectors.

Marital status and gender are often included in government and NGO applications. Ethnicity and religion are not standard in private sector CVs. For development sector roles funded by international donors, a stripped-down header (name, contact, LinkedIn) is increasingly accepted.

Education on a Nepalese CV

Nepal's academic system is organised under Tribhuvan University (TU), the country's oldest and largest university, founded in 1959. Other significant institutions include Kathmandu University (KU), Pokhara University (PU), Purbanchal University, and Tribhuvan University Institute of Engineering (IOE). At the postgraduate level, Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) and Nepal Commerce Campus (NCC) are prominent for business and management. For medical education, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan is the leading public medical university.

The grading system uses both percentage and division (Distinction above 75%, First Division 60-74%, Second Division 45-59%). Some institutions have adopted GPA scales (out of 4.0). List the degree title, institution, year of completion, and result or percentage for each qualification.

Work Experience on a Nepalese CV

List roles in reverse chronological order with job title, organisation, dates (month and year), and 3-5 achievement-focused bullet points.

Employers that carry credibility with Nepalese recruiters include Nepal Investment Bank (NIB), Nabil Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Nepal, NMB Bank, Himalayan Bank, Nepal Telecom (NTC), Ncell (Axiata Group), Surya Nepal (British American Tobacco Nepal), Unilever Nepal, Bottlers Nepal (Coca-Cola), and the Chaudhary Group (CG Corp Global). For public sector roles, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), and Rastriya Banijya Bank are major state employers.

For development sector applicants, experience with UNDP Nepal, World Bank Nepal, Asian Development Bank (ADB), SNV Nepal, Save the Children, or ActionAid Nepal carries significant weight.

Skills, Languages, and Certifications

Nepali and English are the two primary professional languages. Proficiency in Maithili, Bhojpuri, or other Terai languages is an asset for community development roles in the Madhesh Province. CEFR levels are recognised for English proficiency reporting; TOEFL and IELTS scores are widely cited.

For finance professionals, ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualifications are highly regarded, as is membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN). For engineers, Nepal Engineering Council (NEC) registration is a licensing requirement. For IT roles, certifications including CISCO CCNA, AWS, and Microsoft Azure are valued. Project management professionals frequently cite PMP or PRINCE2 qualifications.

Key Sectors and Employers in Nepal

Hydropower is Nepal's strategic growth sector, with the NEA managing the national grid and private developers including Butwal Power Company, Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower, and Chilime Hydropower operating major projects. Tourism, agriculture, and remittances form the other pillars of the economy.

Banking and financial services employ a large share of the formal workforce, with 27 licensed commercial banks competing for talent. The development and NGO sector is exceptionally dense: Nepal has one of the highest concentrations of NGOs per capita in Asia, with organisations such as the Carter Center, Mercy Corps, and CARE Nepal maintaining long-term programmes.

Declaration of Authenticity

A declaration is expected on most Nepalese CVs: "I hereby declare that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge." Add your full name, the date, and place. For government applications, the declaration may be on the last page of the biodata form, stamped and signed.

Cover Letter

A cover letter (application letter) is expected for most formal applications in Nepal. One page, three paragraphs: why you are applying and how you found the role, your most relevant qualifications and achievements, and your availability and contact details. Government applications may require a formal application letter following a prescribed template from the Lok Sewa Aayog.

Common CV Mistakes in Nepal

• Generic objective statements: Phrases like "seeking a challenging position" add nothing. Replace with a specific, achievement-backed profile summary.
• Missing citizenship or NEC registration number: For government and engineering roles, these are mandatory.
• No ICAN or NEC registration: Finance and engineering professionals without professional body registration are screened out of many shortlists.
• Overstating language skills: Claiming "fluent English" when writing quality is weak is immediately apparent and damages credibility.
• Photo in casual attire: Nepal's professional culture is relatively formal. A photo in casual clothing creates a negative first impression.
• No quantified results: Listing duties without metrics ("managed a team" rather than "led a team of 12 to deliver a 45-day hydropower survey on time and 8% under budget") is the single most common weakness.