The Finance Committee of Nepal's House of Representatives has agreed to retain the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Board of Directors as a seven-member body, maintaining the existing governance structure. The committee also agreed to make the inclusion of at least one female member on the board mandatory.

The decision was reached during clause-by-clause discussions on the bill to amend the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2002 (2058 BS). The committee revised the initial proposal to expand the board to nine members and instead decided to continue with the current seven-member structure.

Under the agreed provisions, the existing arrangement of two Deputy Governors will remain unchanged. Likewise, the Finance Secretary will continue to serve as an ex-officio member of the NRB Board.

The committee also agreed that among the three independent directors appointed to the board, at least one must be a woman, aiming to strengthen gender inclusion and improve institutional governance.

Lawmakers believe the revised provisions will make the central bank's board more inclusive, balanced, and professionally managed. The changes will take effect after the amendment bill is passed by Parliament.