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The new academic session is beginning today, Baisakh 15. The school calendar was adjusted as per the government's decision.

The government had reminded the schools to begin a new academic session from today, breaking the hurried trend of school enrollment in the very beginning of Baisakh. There was neither adequate gap nor annual exam result prepared before initiating a new session from the first week of Baisakh month. 

The government, therefore, asked the schools to adjust some days for the new session also taking into account the shortage of fuel supply. 

However, some local levels have already enrolled students.

Similarly, the government had asked the private schools to return the children's fee if they imposed it ignoring the rule. The schools were reminded of the provision of a fee determination directive, 2072 so that their guardians would not be forced to pay more. 

It is worth noting that the Supreme Court had issued an order to not launch annual school enrolment if the result of the previous session was not published and original certificates prepared and handed over to students. 

A single bench of Justice Balkrishna Dhakal had issued the order. 

The academic session used to begin just a day after the New Year, Baisakh 2.

In the order, the schools were asked to ensure proper time arrangement of exam results, educational sessions and certificate distribution.

There is little impact of westerly and local winds in the country's atmosphere at present. Even the low pressure system has a minor effect near the eastern belt of Nepal. 

It has resulted in cloudy weather in various parts of the country. The weather service has predicted partly cloudy weather in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and in the hilly and mountainous regions of Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces. 

The Weather Forecasting Division also forecasted a moderate rainfall coupled with thunder and lightning in one to two places of hilly and mountainous regions in Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces tonight. Few places of Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and most places of Koshi Province are likely to have a moderate rainfall in the night.

A concessional loan agreement has been signed between the Government of Nepal and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the implementation of the Digital Transformation Project. 

The agreement for a USD 40 million concessional loan was signed by Finance Secretary Dr Ghanashyam Upadhyay and ADB Country Director for Nepal Arnaud Cauchois during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance today. 

The project is the first in South Asia to be co-financed under the ADB-World Bank Mutual Reliance Framework, according to a press release issued by the Finance Ministry today. 

The project will strengthen the government's data hosting and cybersecurity infrastructure to enhance the security and resilience of the government digital system.

It will support key initiatives such as developing an integrated citizen service portal, improving the national social registry, establishing a secure government-wide data exchange platform for safe and efficient information sharing, and digitalizing about 11 high impact government services. 

The reforms supported by ADB and the World Bank will make key services easier to access, reduce waiting times and administrative barriers, and enhance transparency in government processes, helping build greater trust between citizens and public institutions.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. 

It aligns with Nepal’s Digital Nepal Framework 2.0, Sixteenth National Plan, e Governance Blueprint, and ADB’s country partnership strategy for Nepal, 2025–2029, which identifies digital transformation as a core crosscutting priority.

The World Bank will also provide USD 40 million as a concessional loan as the lead lender. 

The loan agreement has already been signed with the World Bank. 

The project's key programs include upgrading government digital platforms and shared services, strengthening cybersecurity preparedness, and developing institutional and human resource capacity to ensure the operation and sustainability of digital systems.

The air quality in the Kathmandu Valley, which started to deteriorate rapidly from last week, is once again showing signs of improvement.

The pollution, which had increased due to dry weather and forest fires, has gradually started to decrease with the onset of rain in recent days. 

Kathmandu's Air Quality Index (AQI), which was around 92 last Tuesday, had risen to 247 on Thursday. 

Experts had expressed concern that since the level falls into the 'very unhealthy' category, it would have serious effects on the general public's health.

Currently, pollution is decreasing, having dropped to 141 today, which falls in the 'unhealthy' category.

According to the AQI standards, an AQI of 0–50 is considered 'Good', of 51–100 'Moderate', of 101–150 'Unhealthy', of 151–200 'Unhealthy for all', of 201–300 'Very Unhealthy' and of above 300 'Extremely Dangerous'.

Director General of the Department of Environment, Gyanraj Subedi, stated that rain plays an important role in controlling air pollution.

He said, "When there is no rain for a long time, dust and smoke accumulate in the atmosphere, forest fires increase, and the smoke from them settles in the valley, leading to high pollution. 

Additionally, polluted air coming from the neighbouring country India also affects the air quality in Kathmandu."

Subedi emphasised that the concerned authorities should effectively implement sustainable and environmentally friendly development measures to control pollution.

According to Binu Maharjan, a meteorologist at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there is a good chance of rain from Wednesday. 

It is expected to help further reduce pollution by controlling dust and particles in the air.