| Development Regions of Nepal | |
| Territory: | Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal |
| Current Number: | 5 |
| Number Date: | 2037 B.S. |
| Government: | Region government |
| Subdivision: | Zones |
Prior to the promulgation of a new constitution in 2015 after an earthquake, Nepal was divided into five development regions (Nepali: विकास क्षेत्र), 14 administrative zones (Nepali: अञ्चल) and 75 districts (Nepali: जिल्ला). The 14 administrative zones were grouped into five development regions. Each district is headed by a Chief District Officer (CDO) responsible for maintaining law and order and coordinating the work of field agencies of the various government ministries.
The five development regions of Nepal were (from east to west):
| No. | English name | Nepali name | Zones | Districts (No.) | Headquarters | Population | Area (km2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Development Region | Nepali: पुर्वाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | 16 | Dhankuta | English: 5,811,555 | English: 28,456 | |
| 2 | Central Development Region | Nepali: मध्यमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | 19 | Kathmandu | English: 9,656,985 | English: 27,410 | |
| 3 | Western Development Region | Nepali: पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | 16 | Pokhara | English: 4,926,765 | English: 29,398 | |
| 4 | Mid-Western Development Region | Nepali: मध्य पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | 15 | Birendranagar | English: 3,546,682 | English: 42,378 | |
| 5 | Nepali: सुदुर पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | 9 | Dipayal | English: 2,552,517 | English: 19,539 | ||
King Birendra divided the entire Kingdom in 4 different regions in 2029 BS (1972).These regions were as below::
The three regions were:
To fill the gap between different parts of the nation by balanced or proportionate development. Eight years later in 2037(1982), he further divided the nation adding one more separate development region naming it the mid-western development region taking two zones from Far Western Development region Seti and Mahakali.[1]