Background and Establishment

The Nepal Veterinary Council (NVC) was established as the national veterinary statutory body under the Nepal Veterinary Council Act, 2055 (1999). The primary impetus for its creation was the critical need to guarantee high-quality veterinary services through qualified professionals, particularly to combat animal diseases and achieve the eradication of rinderpest.

As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Nepal holds international obligations to strengthen and ensure the quality of its national veterinary services, including its legislative and regulatory frameworks. Consequently, the NVC was established in alignment with the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE).

As the highest statutory authority for veterinary practice in Nepal, the NVC operates as an independent governmental organization. It is mandated to improve animal health services nationwide and regulate the quality of veterinary human resources. To date, the Council has registered 2,322 veterinarians and maintains functional relationships with relevant national and international organizations.

Organizational Structure and Governance

The NVC operates under the authority of a central Council, which is structured as follows:

• Council Composition:
  • 1 President
  • 2 Vice Presidents
  • 8 Members (Elected or designated from among registered veterinarians for a four-year term)
• Administration: The Government of Nepal appoints a Registrar who oversees the daily administration and operations of the Council’s office.
• Headquarters: The central office is located within the Veterinary Complex in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. The office is responsible for executing the resolutions passed by the Council.

Standing Committees

To effectively achieve its strategic objectives, the NVC has constituted seven specialized committees from among its members:

1. Name Registration Committee
2. Educational Institution Quality Regulation Committee
3. Administration Recruitment and Promotion Committee
4. Complaint Investigation Committee
5. Ethical Clearance Committee
6. Law Committee
7. Communication and Information Committee

Core Functions of the Council

The Council meets at least twice a year to review, evaluate, and approve technical and administrative affairs. Its primary mandates include:

• Professional Registration: Registering qualified veterinarians to authorize their practice in Nepal.
• Professional Regulation: Regulating the professional conduct, ethics, and practices of registered veterinarians.
• Educational Oversight: Regulating and accrediting veterinary educational institutions to ensure standard curricula and training.
• Advisory Role: Advising the government on policies and matters related to the veterinary profession.
• Financial Governance: Examining and approving the annual program budget of the Council.

Financial Resources

The financial sustainability of the NVC is principally derived from three sources:

• Governmental grants
• Professional registration fees
• Other internal income-generating activities authorized by the Council

The office implements the resolutions passed by NVC.