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International visitor arrivals (IVAs) in 2025 reached 1,158,459 between January and December, slightly higher than in 2024 and marking a 97 percent recovery compared to the pre-pandemic period. December 2025 alone recorded 98,190 arrivals, up seven percent from December 2024 and also representing a 97 percent recovery compared to December 2019.

India remained the largest source market with 292,438 visitors (25.2 percent), followed by the United States with 112,316 (9.7 percent), China with 95,480 (8.2 percent), the United Kingdom with 58,684 (5.1 percent), and Bangladesh with 57,545 (5.0 percent). 

Region-wise, South Asia accounted for the highest share of arrivals at 35.2 percent, followed by other Asian countries (21.9 percent), Europe (19.1 percent), the Americas (11.7 percent), Oceania (4.6 percent), the Middle East (1.8 percent), Africa (0.4 percent), and other regions (5.5 percent). 

Meanwhile, tourism-related foreign currency earnings during the first four months of fiscal year 2082/83 (Shrawan to Kartik) stood at Rs 27.15bn, while foreign direct investment commitments in the tourism sector reached Rs 30.26bn across 476 projects during Shrawan to Mangsir of the same fiscal year.

Lumbini Province has been officially declared a literate province, following the fulfillment of national literacy standards. The declaration was made during a special ceremony held in the provincial capital on Sunday.

Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya formally announced Lumbini as a literate province at the event.

Under Schedule 8 of the Constitution and the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, responsibility for secondary education, non-formal education, and literacy programs lies with local governments. As per Government of Nepal provisions aligned with UNESCO standards, a province can be declared literate when at least 95 percent of the population aged between 15 and 60 is literate. Literacy is defined not only as the ability to read and write, but also basic numeracy skills and practical competencies such as daily transactions, banking, mobile phone use, and understanding time and dates.

Lumbini Province met these criteria, leading to the declaration. All 12 districts of the province have already been declared literate. Districts including Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Dang, Rupandehi, Banke, and Kapilvastu have recorded literacy rates exceeding 96 percent.

The province has also seen notable improvement in academic outcomes. The Secondary Education Examination (SEE) pass rate increased from 38.65 percent in the academic year 2024 to 62.06 percent in 2025.

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Acharya said education has been globally prioritized as a key driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that Lumbini Province has made significant progress despite its social and cultural diversity. He added that campaigns have been launched to improve education and that necessary laws are being formulated to facilitate educational reforms.

Former Chief Minister and leader of the Nepali Congress parliamentary party, Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, said the province has performed well in the education sector but stressed that sustainability is more important than declarations. Recalling the ‘Sakshar Laltein’ (Literacy Lantern) campaign he initiated during his time as a social activist, Chaudhary said Lumbini’s efforts should serve as a model for other provinces.

Social Development Minister Janmajay Timilsina highlighted that education, health, and per capita income are the main indicators of human development globally. Among them, he said, education plays the most crucial role and has a positive impact on other indicators as well. He added that the provincial government will continue to prioritize lifelong learning even after the literacy declaration.

According to Rishiraj Sharma, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Social Development, Lumbini Province has achieved notable progress through literacy campaigns, expansion of educational infrastructure, and improvement in learning outcomes. He said the next priority will be to expand quality, inclusive, technical, and employment-oriented education.

A wide range of institutions have been directly or indirectly involved in literacy, lifelong learning, non-formal, and alternative education programs in the province. These include the Ministry of Social Development, the Education and Social Development Directorate, education training centers, Lumbini Technological University, 12 Education Development and Coordination Units, six Social Development Division Offices, 109 local governments, a provincial-level Madrasa Education Coordination Committee, 4,439 community schools, 5,722 community-based early childhood development centers, and 329 community information centers.

Individuals and institutions contributing to the education sector were also honored at the event.

Education status

According to 2024 data, Nepal’s Human Development Index (HDI) stands at 0.622, while Lumbini Province ranks fourth nationally with an HDI of 0.608. Under the federal government’s ‘Literate Nepal’ campaign, the goal is to ensure minimum literacy for all citizens aged 15 and above. The Cabinet-approved ‘Literate Nepal Year 2020’ concept emphasizes building a foundation for lifelong learning.

The Second Periodic Plan targets increasing the literacy rate for the population aged five and above from 78.08 percent to 98 percent. Plans include linking literacy with skills and income generation, developing alternative programs for out-of-school children, and strengthening community information centers, early childhood development centers, and educational institutions.

Education is constitutionally guaranteed as a fundamental right. Article 31 of the Constitution ensures free and compulsory basic education and free secondary education for all citizens. It also provides for inclusive education for persons with disabilities, economically disadvantaged groups, and individuals with special needs, along with the right to receive education in one’s mother tongue.

Gold prices in the Nepali market continued to decline on Thursday. After dropping by Rs 1,100 on Wednesday, the price of gold fell by Rs 1,400 today.

According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Traders’ Association, the price of one tola of gold is now Rs 259,600, down from Rs 261,000 on Wednesday.

Silver prices also decreased, falling by Rs 55 to Rs 4,415 per tola. On Wednesday, the same quantity of silver was traded at Rs 4,470.

The Rasuwagadhi border point, Nepal’s international trade gateway with China, has resumed operations from today, with import and export activities set to begin after a temporary suspension.

Although movement for vehicle drivers had been allowed since last Sunday, trade had not resumed as the Miteri Bridge at Rasuwagadhi was under reconstruction. The bridge, damaged by floods on Asar 24, was completed last Saturday.

Chief District Officer of Rasuwa Rajesh Panthi said import and export through the checkpoint will start from today. “Drivers transporting goods had crossed into China from last Sunday. From January 1, vehicular movement will operate under a one-way, alternating system,” he said.

From today, the customs office will inspect inbound and outbound vehicles and grant permission for cross-border movement. The Chinese side has stated that the one-way alternating traffic system will be strictly enforced during this period. As road blacktopping work is underway in the G216 border section, only half of the route will be used for cross-border movement from January 1 to January 8.

During this period, traffic will be allowed from 9 am to 2 pm Chinese time, while movement will be restricted for the rest of the day. After January 8, vehicle entry will be permitted from 9 am to 1 pm Chinese time—one hour longer than regular customs hours—with temporary operations continuing from 2 pm to 7 pm.

The Miteri Bridge, which came into operation in May 2019 (Jestha 2076), had been washed away by floods, disrupting road connectivity between Nepal and China. The bridge had previously suffered damage from floods in 2020 and was repaired and reopened. Flooding in the Lhende River, which flows from China, frequently damages infrastructure during the monsoon, leading to repeated disruptions in cross-border connectivity.

The bridge was built with Chinese investment. After sustaining further damage during the 2015 earthquake, it was reconstructed by Tibet Engineering Company Limited Tansen Road and Bridge. As trade volume increased, the new bridge was constructed about five meters northeast of the original location.