Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Sobita Gautam, has stated that the proposed National Defence University will function as a comprehensive national-level academic institution rather than an establishment solely dedicated to the Nepali Army. Responding to lawmakers' queries on behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah during deliberations on the 'National Defence University Bill, 2083 BS' in the House of Representatives (HoR), Minister Gautam made it clear that the university will not impart military training.
Scope and Academic Vision
Minister Gautam highlighted that modern national security extends beyond traditional warfare to encompass international relations, economic diplomacy, strategic studies, and cybersecurity. The bill envisions an autonomous platform for advanced study, research, and policy analysis, welcoming both civilian and military officials from Nepal and friendly foreign nations. To ensure sound governance, the proposed institutional framework includes a University Senate, Executive Council, Academic Council, and Board of Trustees, clearly separating policy oversight from daily academic administration.
Lawmakers' Perspectives and Bill Approval
The HoR unanimously approved the motion to consider the bill following active parliamentary participation. During the discussion, lawmaker Bikram Thapa welcomed the inclusion of both military and non-military scholars, while Bharat Giri emphasized the center's potential to build local strategic knowledge. Lawmaker Khusbu Oli urged incorporating climate safety, crisis management, and diplomacy into the curriculum, and Ramesh Kumar Malla stressed the bill's significance for national security policy creation. Furthermore, Pushpa Raj Kandel advocated for strong academic freedom, and Ram Lama called for an end to political appointments among university leadership. Other participating lawmakers—including Yubraj Dulal, Balawati Sharma, Nitima Bhandari (Karki), Karishma Kathariya, Tuka Bhandra Hamal, Rima Bishwokarma, and Kamal Subedi—underscored the necessity of prioritizing topics like cybersecurity and disaster management.
