Government Declares “No-Strike” On Internet And Telephone Services

Last Updated on June 22, 2026

The government of Nepal continued its “No Strike” regulation on the internet and telephone services, including other essential services, to ensure their uninterrupted operations. Publishing a notice in the Gazette (Nepal Rajpatra) on Jestha 25, 2083, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared no protest zone in the areas of the most essential services. In recent years, the government has included the internet in its essential service list, while the telephone service was already on it.

The ministry exercised the authority in accordance with Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the ‘Essential Services Operation Act, 2014’, and banned strikes by placing 25 different sectors on the list of essential services. Giving special priority to the technology and communication sectors, the government has included internet services, print, wire, or telephone services, and overall communication services in this list.

Also on the list are services relating to the operation and maintenance of aircraft. The government has also barred any strike on print and government press services. Services relating to banking, insurance, ambulance, consular, and passport departments are also on the list of essential services, and hence no strike affects their service delivery.

No Strike Zone on the Telephone and Internet

At no. 7, the government has listed telecom services for the no-strike zone policy. The ruling holds that there should be no situation of protest or strikes that could potentially disrupt communication services. At no. 25th is the internet service. This includes internet service from Nepali internet service providers (ISPs) and telcos.

Just like the telephone and other communication services, the government stresses that all situations that amount to protests and strikes should be avoided, which could frustrate the flow of internet services. NTA has likened internet service to a basic human right, and the government’s no-protest policy complements this stand.

Internet More Important Than Ever

The internet service was not among the essential services in the past. However, the government started enlisting the internet service as one of the essential ones so that strikes wouldn’t disrupt the continuity of the broadband service. It received priority, particularly from around the time of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

There are good reasons the internet area should be free of any protests or strikes. Office work, work from home, business meetings, and even training or workshops are going online. So it’s not just browsing social media and watching YouTube videos that constitute internet consumption. The internet is now a way of life, a set culture. The latest initiative from the government will guarantee no bar on internet services due to strikes.

✅How to prioritize WiFi network for best internet performance?

List of No Strike service areas in Nepal

These are 25 areas of essential services that are declared “No Strike” zones by the government:

1. Postal, telegraph, or telephone services
2. Transportation services for transporting passengers or goods by water, land, or air
3. Services related to the care, operation, or maintenance of airports or aircraft
4. Services related to loading, unloading, moving, or storing goods at airfields, railway stations, or government warehouses
5. Print or government press-related services
6. Any service of the Government of Nepal’s defense establishment related to the production, storage, or distribution of arms, ammunition, or military equipment
7. Communication services
8. Services related to internal security functions
9. Drinking water operation and distribution services
10. Tourism accommodation, motels, hotels, restaurants, and resort services
11. Import, transportation, storage, and distribution services of petroleum products (including LP gas)
12. Hospital and health center operation services (including services like ambulances)
13. Medicine manufacturing and sales/distribution services
14. Services related to waste management (collection, transportation, processing, disposal, site construction, infrastructure building, and collection site management)
15. Banking services
16. Insurance services
17. Electricity services
18. Import, transportation, storage, and distribution services of daily essential commodities (food grains, pulses, rice, salt, oil)
19. Weather forecasting, flood forecasting, and early warning services
20. Mask-related services
21. Hand sanitizer-related services
22. Veterinary services
23. Services provided by the Department of Consular Services
24. Services provided by the Department of Passports
25. Internet services

Here’s the official file published in the Nepal Gazette by the Home Ministry.

FAQs on No Strike on Internet Service Areas

Are you happy with the government adding the internet to the list of essential services? Or do you believe it should have added other areas of services too? Share what you think in the comments section below.