Kathmandu, 2 February 2026
The Supreme Court of Nepal has issued a writ of mandamus prohibiting the publication of citizenship certificate numbers in the results of written and practical examinations for driver’s licenses.
The joint bench comprising Justices Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma and Meghraj Pokhrel delivered the decision on Sunday, 18 Magh 2082 (1 February 2026), on the matter of privacy rights.┬а The petitioner argued that the practice of including citizenship numbers alongwith names and roll numbers in exam result sheets violated citizens’ fundamental right to privacy.
Law student Vivek Chaudhary filed this writ petition as a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) against the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Department of Transport Management, and several transport management offices in Bagmati Province (including those in Ekantakuna, Thulobharyang, Chabhil, and Radhe Radhe).┬а Petitioner urged that disclosing citizenship numbers in public result notices constitutes a serious violation of personal privacy and exposes individuals to risks such as identity theft, financial fraud, cybercrime, and document forgery.
The court agreed with the petitioner’s arguments, holding that such disclosure contravenes both constitutional guarantees and statutory provisions. The bench emphasized that under Section 11 of the Personal Privacy Act, 2075 (2018), sensitive personal information, including citizenship number,s must remain confidential.┬а Section 11 states that every person shall have the right to the privacy of his or her personal documents, including the Citizenship certificate, passport, voter identity card, driving license or other documents of such nature revealing identity. Section 11(2) (c) explicitly classifies citizenship numbers as personal data protected from non-disclosure.
The ruling further referenced Clause 11 of the Driver’s License Examination Operation Directive, 2077, which permits publication only of candidates’ names/surnames and roll numbers. The directive contains no provision authorizing the inclusion of citizenship numbers, reinforcing that the existing practice lacked legal basis.
The SC observed that the illegal publication of such sensitive details violates Article 28 of the Constitution of Nepal (right to privacy), and Article 16 (right to live with dignity). The court directed the Department of Transport Management and concerned offices to immediately cease including citizenship numbers in future result publications and to limit disclosures strictly to names and roll numbers.
This mandamus is issued on Case/Writ Number: 081-WO-0500 (режреорез-WO-режрелрежреж),┬аPetitioner: Vivek Chaudhary (PIL) vs┬аRespondents: Government of Nepal, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Department of Transport Management, and others, Decision Date: 18 Magh 2082 BS (1 February 2026 AD).
