JHAPA: The number of people receiving passports in Jhapa has surpassed those obtaining citizenship certificates, according to the District Administration Office.
Both citizenship and passports are issued through the District Administration Office, along with the Area Administration Offices in Damak and Gaurigunj. Assistant Chief District Officer Dorendra Niraula reported that between mid-July and mid-August, 1,289 individuals received Nepali citizenship certificates, while 2,333 were issued passports during the same period.
Among the citizenship certificates issued, 1,230 were granted on the basis of descent, 55 through naturalization by marriage, and four as non-resident citizenships.
This trend is consistent with annual data. In the fiscal year 2024/25, as many as 22,777 individuals obtained citizenship certificates in the district, compared to 33,224 who received passports—10,447 more than those who acquired citizenship.
Of the total citizenships issued during the fiscal year, 22,040 were based on descent, 675 through marriage, and 62 under non-resident status.
Meanwhile, national identity cards have been issued in even greater numbers. From mid-July to mid-August alone, 5,767 individuals received national ID cards. As of mid-August, a total of 360,772 people in Jhapa have obtained their national identity cards.
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