| Honorific Prefix: | Pandit Raaj |
| Ranga Nath Poudyal | |
| Native Name: | पण्डित राज रङ्गनाथ पौड्याल |
| Native Name Lang: | ne |
| Birth Place: | Makhantole, Kathmandu |
| Nationality: | Nepali |
| Notable Works: | Rajbidhansaar & Kapurstwa |
| Office: | 4th Mukhtiyar of Nepal |
| Term Start: | 1837 December |
| Term End: | 1838 August |
| Predecessor: | Rana Jang Pande |
| Successor: | Chautariya Pushkar Shah |
| Term Start2: | 1840 November |
| Term End2: | 1840 November |
| Predecessor2: | Rana Jang Pande |
| Successor2: | Fateh Jung Shah |
| Parents: | Panditraj Bajranath |
Ranga Nath Poudyal Atreya (Nepali: रङ्गनाथ पौड्याल आत्रेय) popularly known as Ranganath Pandit was the Mukhtiyar of Nepal from 1837 December to 1838 August and in 1840 November for about 2–3 weeks. He was the first Brahmin Prime Minister of Nepal.
Ranga Nath Poudyal Atreya was born in 1773 A.D. at Makhantole Kathmandu to Pandit Brajnath Atreya, who was a prominent courtier in the palace who was later exiled to Benaras. He was a Bahun by ethnicity. Ranga Nath Poudyal Atreya spent his childhood years in Benares, where he mastered Sanskrit. He was granted the title "Pandit Raj" by the then king of Benares.[1]
Ranga Nath Poudyal Atreya met Bhimsen Thapa in Benares (Varanasi). He was deeply influenced by Bhimsen Thapa and thus he forged his path to power by establishing himself as the prominent supporter of Bhimsen Thapa. After the execution of Mulkaji (Chief Kaji) Damodar Pande, Paudyal was appointed as Raj Guru (Royal Preceptor) along with Ranajit Pande as appointed as Mulkaji, Bhimsen Thapa as second Kaji and Sher Bahadur Shah as Mul Chautariya. He became Prime Minister of Nepal at the time of utmost political turmoil. He is remembered as a clever Brahmin . Although he was the prominent supporter of Bhimsen Thapa[2] His political career was doomed after the downfall of Bhimsen Thapa. He is often characterized as the spiritual advisor of the court rather than a powerful governor.
Not much is known about his personal life. He is believed by many to be spiritual minded.