Nepal’s National Assembly, the upper house of parliament, unanimously passed the National Forensic Laboratory (Establishment and Operation) Bill, 2081, on Friday, October 2, 2026. The House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, had previously passed the same bill on September 30, 2026.
The passage of the bill marks a significant step towards modernizing the National Forensic Laboratory, which operates under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun highlighted the urgent need for the legislation, stating that the laboratory had long operated as a nominal institution under a government formation order.
Speaking at the National Assembly meeting, Minister Pun informed lawmakers about the laboratory’s current poor condition and limited capacity. He recalled how the institution’s shortcomings became evident during the Bhotekoshi floods in August-September 2026, when DNA testing of victims required assistance from foreign teams from China and India. This incident underscored the critical need to strengthen domestic forensic capabilities.
Plans for Modernization and Expansion
With the new Act, the government will be able to acquire land and construct its own buildings for the National Forensic Laboratory, moving away from temporary structures and rented premises. Design work has already begun for a modern building within the Kathmandu premises of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), an autonomous body established in 1982 to promote science and technology.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has allocated Rs 200 million from this fiscal year’s budget for the purchase of equipment to modernize the forensic laboratory. Additional funds will be arranged for the construction of the new building, with an initial estimate of Rs 60-70 million required for the structure. The government also plans to modernize existing smaller laboratories across the country and establish new facilities in the remaining provinces.
Minister Pun emphasized the sensitivity of DNA testing in the administration of justice and assured that there would be no compromise on its security and accuracy. He noted that while NAST primarily handled plant and animal DNA testing, the recent collaboration with Chinese teams during the Bhotekoshi flood provided valuable human DNA testing experience for Nepali technicians.
Background and Next Steps
The National Forensic Laboratory (Establishment and Operation) Bill, 2081, was initially registered in parliament on January 8, 2025. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation itself was established on May 13, 2026, during a federal executive reorganization by Prime Minister Balen Shah’s government, with Mahabir Pun appointed as minister on June 9, 2026.
Following its passage by both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, the bill now awaits certification by President Ramchandra Paudel. Once certified, it will come into effect on the 31st day, transforming the National Forensic Laboratory into a structured and modern institution. The exact date of certification, specific timelines for land acquisition, building construction, and the establishment of new provincial laboratories, as well as the source of additional building funds, are yet to be confirmed.
