Government Separates Science Ministry Amid Mahabir Pun Demand

The government has finally taken a major step toward a long-running national debate surrounding science, innovation, and technology by officially separating science and technology from the Education Ministry and establishing it as an independent ministry.

For months, Khoj Samachar had continuously raised this issue through reports, discussions, videos, and repeated conversations with lawmakers, arguing that Nepal could not move forward in the digital era while science and technology remained neglected under a larger ministry structure.

Exactly one month ago, on April 13, Khoj Samachar had again strongly raised the demand to divide the Education and Science Ministry and create a dedicated Science and Technology Ministry under the leadership of Mahabir Pun. That earlier discussion can be read here: Mahabir Pun Should Lead Nepal’s Science and Technology Ministry

Now, the government has fulfilled half of that long-raised demand. But the bigger question still remains unanswered — who will lead the newly created ministry?

Science and Technology Finally Receive Independent Recognition

For years, innovation, research, and technological development remained overshadowed under the Education Ministry despite the world rapidly advancing through artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, automation, and innovation-driven economies.

The cabinet’s latest decision has now finally given science and technology an independent institutional identity in Nepal.

This is not just a routine administrative change. It reflects the growing realization that Nepal can no longer continue ignoring research, innovation, and technological advancement while the rest of the world moves rapidly ahead.

The decision also comes after months of growing public debate that repeatedly questioned why Nepal still lacked a dedicated ministry focused entirely on science and technology.

Khoj Samachar Had Raised the Issue Long Before the Cabinet Decision

This discussion did not begin after the ministry was separated.

From the period before the national election itself, Khoj Samachar had continuously raised questions regarding Nepal’s weak focus on innovation and repeatedly argued that Mahabir Pun should be brought into a leadership role connected to science and technology.

When Mahabir Pun announced his independent candidacy from Myagdi, Khoj Samachar repeatedly encouraged public support for him, arguing that Nepal needed leadership focused on innovation, technology, and long-term national transformation rather than traditional political culture.

Even before the current government was formed, Khoj Samachar continued discussing the possibility of Mahabir Pun being given responsibility related to science, education, or innovation if a new administration came to power.

Repeated Discussions Were Also Held With Lawmakers

The issue was not limited only to public videos and reports.

During the past several months, Khoj Samachar had repeatedly discussed the issue with several RSP lawmakers regarding the need for a separate Science and Technology Ministry and the possibility of Mahabir Pun leading it.

Some lawmakers had argued that internal competition for ministerial positions inside the ruling party could make it politically difficult to appoint someone from outside the party structure.

Others had suggested that Mahabir Pun should formally join the ruling party before being considered for ministerial responsibility.

Despite those discussions, one central argument continued to remain unchanged — national interest must rise above party calculations when deciding Nepal’s technological future.

Recent National Debate Increased Pressure on the Government

Public frustration surrounding Nepal’s weak focus on science and innovation intensified further after the government’s recently announced policy and programme gave limited attention to research and technological development.

A few days ago, Mahabir Pun publicly criticized political leaders through social media for continuing to ignore science and technology issues.

The following day, Pun also raised the issue directly inside Parliament while drawing the attention of Prime Minister Balen Shah and the ruling leadership toward Nepal’s weak innovation priorities.

That debate quickly gained wider national attention and further strengthened a discussion that had already been repeatedly raised for months.

Soon afterward, the cabinet formally announced the separation of the Science and Technology Ministry from the Education Ministry.

The Remaining Demand Is Still Incomplete

Although the ministry has now been officially separated, the government has still not finalized who will become minister.

That is why Khoj Samachar has once again raised its voice today through videos and discussions across social media platforms, demanding that Mahabir Pun should now be appointed as the minister of the newly formed Science and Technology Ministry.

At present, no political figure carries stronger credibility, public trust, and long-term contribution in the field of science, innovation, and technological development than Mahabir Pun.

This ministry should not become another routine political appointment shaped by internal competition and party interests. Nepal now has an opportunity to place expertise and national development above political calculations.

Leadership Matters as Much as the Ministry Itself

Separating the ministry is an important beginning, but meaningful transformation will not happen unless leadership itself understands innovation, research, and technological development from practical experience.

Nepal has already fallen far behind much of the world in science and technology despite entering an era increasingly driven by digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, innovation, and advanced research.

Science and technology can no longer remain secondary priorities if Nepal truly wants long-term economic growth, digital industries, innovation-based employment, and modern research systems.

That is why leadership for this ministry matters just as much as the ministry itself.

Nepal Must Now Invest Seriously in Innovation

Alongside leadership, the newly separated ministry must also receive serious budget allocation in the upcoming national budget.

Even if other sectors require minor budget adjustments, Nepal now needs long-term investment in science, research, innovation, and technological infrastructure.

The world has already moved rapidly ahead in technological advancement while Nepal still struggles to build even basic innovation systems.

Nepal cannot continue depending entirely on foreign technology while ignoring its own innovators and researchers. The newly separated Science and Technology Ministry now gives the government an opportunity to prove whether it is genuinely prepared to invest in Nepal’s technological future or whether innovation will once again remain limited only to speeches and promises.