Nepal Police Inspector study materials
Nepal Police Inspector study resources

Nepal Police Inspector key terms

Nepal Police Inspector · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

Habeas Corpus

A constitutional remedy letting a detained person challenge the legality of their detention before a court, which can order release if no lawful ground is shown. Article 18 of the Constitution of Nepal guarantees this right.

Related: Fundamental Rights, Writ Jurisdiction
Fundamental Rights

Basic freedoms guaranteed to every person by Part 3 of the Constitution of Nepal, enforceable in court. They include equality, freedom, privacy, and remedies against their violation.

Related: Habeas Corpus, Writ Jurisdiction
Writ Jurisdiction

The power of the Supreme Court and High Courts to issue orders such as habeas corpus, mandamus, and certiorari against public authorities to protect rights or correct legal error.

Related: Habeas Corpus, Fundamental Rights
Directive Principles

Policy goals in Part 4 of the Constitution of Nepal that guide the state but are not directly enforceable in court. They cover welfare, social justice, and equitable distribution.

Related: Fundamental Rights
Federalism

A system dividing state power between a central government and constituent units. Nepal's Constitution creates three tiers: federal, provincial, and local, each with listed powers.

Related: Local Level, Concurrent Powers
Concurrent Powers

Subjects on which both federal and provincial governments may legislate under Nepal's Constitution. Federal law prevails if the two conflict, subject to stated exceptions.

Related: Federalism
Local Level

The third tier of government in Nepal, comprising municipalities and rural municipalities with elected assemblies and executives. They hold powers listed in Schedule 8 of the Constitution.

Related: Federalism, Good Governance
Good Governance

The conduct of public affairs through transparency, accountability, rule of law, participation, and responsiveness. Nepal's Constitution lists it as a directive principle of state policy.

Related: Local Level, Accountability
Accountability

The obligation of public officials to answer for their decisions and actions to higher authorities, oversight bodies, and the public, and to face consequences for misuse of power.

Related: Good Governance, CIAA
CIAA

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, a constitutional body in Nepal that investigates and prosecutes corruption and misconduct by public office holders.

Related: Accountability, Corruption
Corruption

The abuse of entrusted public power for private gain, including bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism. Nepal's Prevention of Corruption Act defines and punishes such offences.

Related: CIAA
FIR

First Information Report: the initial written record police make when a cognizable offence is reported. It starts investigation and is registered in the prescribed register.

Related: Cognizable Offence, Investigation
Cognizable Offence

An offence for which police may register a case and investigate without prior permission of a court. Arrest may also be made without a warrant in such cases.

Related: FIR, Arrest Warrant
Arrest Warrant

A written order issued by a court authorizing police to arrest a named person. It must state the offence and remains valid until executed or cancelled.

Related: Cognizable Offence, Remand
Remand

The judicial order keeping an arrested person in custody while investigation or trial continues. In Nepal, police must produce the arrested person before a court within 24 hours of arrest.

Related: Arrest Warrant, Habeas Corpus
Investigation

The process by which police gather evidence, record statements, and identify suspects after an offence is reported, ending with a report to the public prosecutor under Nepal's criminal procedure law.

Related: FIR, Public Prosecutor
Public Prosecutor

A government legal officer who examines police investigation reports, decides whether to file charges, and represents the state in criminal cases before the courts.

Related: Investigation, Charge Sheet
Charge Sheet

The formal document filed in court by the prosecution stating the offence, the accused, and the supporting evidence, on which trial proceeds.

Related: Public Prosecutor, Investigation
Burden of Proof

The duty of a party to prove a fact in dispute. In criminal cases the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt; the accused is presumed innocent.

Related: Presumption of Innocence, Charge Sheet
Presumption of Innocence

The principle that a person accused of a crime is treated as innocent until guilt is established by a competent court after a fair trial.

Related: Burden of Proof, Fair Trial
Fair Trial

A hearing conducted before an impartial court, with notice of charges, adequate time and facilities to defend, and the right to counsel. Guaranteed by Nepal's Constitution and human rights law.

Related: Presumption of Innocence, Due Process
Due Process

The requirement that the state follow lawful procedures before depriving anyone of life, liberty, or property, including notice, hearing, and reasoned decision.

Related: Fair Trial, Habeas Corpus
Custodial Violence

Physical or mental harm inflicted on a person held in police or prison custody. Nepal's Constitution prohibits torture, and such acts are criminal offences.

Related: Due Process, Human Rights
Human Rights

Entitlements inherent to all persons regardless of nationality, sex, or status, covering civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights protected by national and international law.

Related: Custodial Violence, Fair Trial
Chain of Command

The vertical line of authority through which orders pass from senior to junior ranks in an organization. In Nepal Police it runs from the Inspector General down to constables.

Related: IGP, Unity of Command
IGP

Inspector General of Police, the highest-ranking officer and head of Nepal Police, appointed by the Government of Nepal and responsible for overall command and administration.

Related: Chain of Command, Police Jurisdiction
Unity of Command

A management principle that each subordinate should receive orders from and report to only one superior, preventing conflicting instructions and fixing responsibility.

Related: Chain of Command, Span of Control
Span of Control

The number of subordinates a supervisor directly manages. A narrow span allows closer supervision; a wide span requires delegation and clear procedures.

Related: Unity of Command, Delegation
Delegation

Assigning authority and responsibility for a task to a subordinate while retaining overall accountability. It improves efficiency but requires clear limits and reporting.

Related: Span of Control, Accountability
Police Jurisdiction

The geographic or subject-matter area within which a police unit may exercise its powers. Acting outside it generally requires authorization or transfer of the case.

Related: IGP, Community Policing
Community Policing

An approach where police work with residents, local groups, and institutions to identify and prevent crime, building trust and sharing information rather than relying only on enforcement.

Related: Police Jurisdiction, Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention

Measures taken before an offence occurs to reduce its likelihood, such as patrols, awareness campaigns, environmental design, and addressing social risk factors.

Related: Community Policing
Gender Equality

The state in which women, men, and other genders enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and treatment. Nepal's Constitution guarantees equality and prohibits gender-based discrimination.

Related: Social Inclusion, Gender-Based Violence
Social Inclusion

Policies and practices ensuring marginalized groups, including Dalits, indigenous peoples, Madhesis, and persons with disabilities, participate fully in social, economic, and political life.

Related: Gender Equality, Affirmative Action
Affirmative Action

Temporary preferential measures, such as reserved seats or quotas, intended to correct historical disadvantage and bring underrepresented groups into education, employment, and public bodies.

Related: Social Inclusion
Gender-Based Violence

Harm directed at a person because of gender, including domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and harassment. Nepal criminalizes several such acts and provides protection and compensation.

Related: Gender Equality
Sustainable Development

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, balancing economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.

Related: Climate Change, Environmental Impact Assessment
Climate Change

Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, largely driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Nepal faces glacier retreat, floods, and landslides linked to it.

Related: Sustainable Development, Disaster Risk Reduction
Environmental Impact Assessment

A study required before approving certain projects, identifying likely environmental effects and mitigation measures. Nepal's law requires it for specified categories of development activity.

Related: Sustainable Development
Disaster Risk Reduction

Policies and actions to prevent new disaster risk and reduce existing risk through preparedness, early warning, land-use planning, and community resilience, especially for earthquakes and floods.

Related: Climate Change