Supreme Court orders end to publishing citizenship numbers in driving license results

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court of Nepal has ruled that citizenship numbers must no longer be published when releasing results of written and practical driving license examinations, citing violations of privacy and constitutional rights.

In a decision issued on Sunday, a two-judge bench of Justices Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma and Meghraj Pokharel ruled that publishing candidates’ citizenship numbers along with license exam results constitutes an infringement of personal privacy and conflicts with existing laws. The court issued a mandamus order directing relevant authorities to immediately end the practice.

The case was filed as a writ petition by law student Vivek Chaudhary, who challenged the publication of citizenship numbers by the Department of Transport Management and other government offices responsible for licensing.

Chaudhary argued that the practice violated individuals’ privacy and exposed them to potential risks such as identity theft, cybercrime and financial fraud.

Court Directs Reform on Privacy Grounds

In its verdict, the Supreme Court emphasized that the publication of sensitive personal data — such as citizenship numbers — in the name of releasing license examination results runs contrary to the Constitution of Nepal and existing laws, including the Right to Privacy and rights guaranteed under Articles 16 and 28 of the Constitution. The court ordered government agencies to publish only the details expressly permitted by law and procedure.

Following the ruling, the Department of Transport Management has announced that citizenship numbers will no longer appear in public results for the Driving License (Sawaari Chalak Anumati Patra) or related examinations.

Department Director Keshav Khatri confirmed the court’s order is being implemented. “Previously, results included citizenship numbers, which raised legitimate privacy concerns,” Khatri said. “From now on, results will be published without citizenship numbers.”

He explained that the court’s directive mandates that all transport offices and relevant government bodies publish only statutory exam result details — such as names and roll numbers — while excluding confidential personal information.

Privacy and Legal Basis Cited by Petitioner

In his petition, Chaudhary named the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Department of Transport Management, and several transport offices in Bagmati Province as respondents.

He cited provisions of the Driving License Examination Procedure Directive, 2077 BS, which specifies that only the names and roll numbers of successful candidates should be published.

Chaudhary argued that publishing citizenship numbers carried serious risks of identity theft, cybercrime, and misuse of personal data, threatening examinees’ privacy and exposing them to irrecoverable harm.

Invoking constitutional protections — including the right to live with dignity (Article 16), right to privacy (Article 28), and rights to judicial remedy (Articles 46 and 133) — he urged the court to restrain the practice.

Implementation Status and Service Delivery Context

Director Khatri noted that since the launch of the online licensing system, approximately 17,000 driving licenses have been printed by the department.

Of these, about 12,000 have been distributed, while around 5,000 remain pending collection at various offices. He said many applicants inquire about emergency licenses but delay collection once notified.

Khatri acknowledged ongoing operational challenges, including office space shortages and technical constraints, but affirmed the department’s commitment to restoring efficient service delivery.

Improving Printing Capacity

To address delays in license issuance, the government is preparing to procure a new high-speed printing machine, estimated to cost around Rs 70 crore. The procurement process is underway, with proposals submitted to the ministry and currently undergoing evaluation. Once the tender process is completed, physical work on the machine’s installation is expected to begin soon.

Despite administrative delays common in Nepal’s public sector, officials say efforts are underway to streamline services, ensuring applicants can obtain their licenses smoothly.

The department stressed that the Supreme Court’s privacy directive — now in the process of implementation — forms part of broader reforms aimed at protecting citizens’ personal data while improving transparency and efficiency in public service delivery.