KATHMANDU, July 9: The government has stepped up efforts to impose stricter controls on colleges operating under foreign affiliation, endorsing the Foreign Educational Programs (Operation and Regulation) Regulations, 2026 to raise academic standards and streamline oversight.
A Cabinet meeting on Wednesday approved the new regulations, which set tougher criteria for institutions linked with foreign universities. Officials said the measures aim to enhance the quality, credibility, and international competitiveness of Nepal’s higher education sector.
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Under the new provisions, only universities ranked among the world’s top 1,000 will be eligible to grant affiliation. The Ministry of Education stated that such universities must have appeared in international rankings consistently over the past five years and secured a top-1,000 position at least once during that period.
Affiliated colleges will also be required to complete a two-stage Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QAA) process. Student intake quotas will be determined based on evaluations of infrastructure, academic capacity, and faculty resources.
The rules apply not only to new institutions but also to colleges already operating under foreign affiliation. Those failing to meet the prescribed standards will be given a set timeframe for compliance. If they remain non-compliant, the government may restrict renewal of affiliation, suspend new admissions, or pursue legal action.
