Sep 29, Kathmandu - Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobita Gautam has said Nepal’s proposed National Defence University will be a national institution—not a university exclusively for the Nepali Army—and will not provide military-style training.

Responding on behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah during a House of Representatives debate on the National Defence University Bill, 2083, Gautam said national security must be understood more broadly than warfare or military defence. It also includes international relations, diplomacy, economic and security diplomacy, strategic studies and cybersecurity, she said.

The bill envisions advanced academic programmes and research for both military and civilian personnel. Officers from friendly countries could also study at the university, Gautam added.

The proposed institution would offer courses in national security, defence, strategic leadership, international relations, diplomacy and economic diplomacy. Its governance framework would include a university assembly, executive council, academic council and board of trustees, with a separation between policy oversight and day-to-day academic work, she said.

“This is not simply about adding another university,” Gautam said. “It is about building an autonomous and credible national institution capable of developing advanced education, research, strategic analysis and policy knowledge in security and defence within Nepal.”

Lawmakers broadly welcomed the proposal while calling for safeguards. Several urged the bill to clearly protect the university’s autonomy and academic freedom, ensure civilian and military participation, and establish transparent governance and high research standards. Others said the university should also address crisis management, climate and cyber security, economics and international relations.

The House unanimously approved the proposal to consider the bill. Further clause-by-clause deliberations are expected to address concerns about institutional independence, accountability and the limits of security-sensitive research.