Kathmandu. National identity card is no longer mandatory to open a bank account or get banking services.

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a mandamus order to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) and other bodies concerned to avail banking services on the basis of citizenship even if they do not have a national identity card.

The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that the provision of the national identity card or its number has been made the sole basis of citizen’s identity as per the Nepal Rastra Bank’s Integrated Directive, 2082.

Advocate Sarita Adhikari filed a writ petition naming Nepal Rastra Bank, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of National Identity Card and Registration and Nepal Investment Mega Bank as defendants.

The petition states that the provision of submitting a national identity card while updating KYC or changing mobile number has caused problems to the general public.

It has been argued that senior citizens, people with disabilities and those lacking access to technology are also deprived of withdrawing money from their bank accounts and using financial services.