🇳🇵 Time in Nepal
Nepal uses Nepal Standard Time (NPT), which is UTC+5:45. It's one of the most unusual time zones in the world — the only country with a 45-minute offset from UTC. The reason is geographic and political: Nepal sits roughly between India (UTC+5:30) and Bangladesh (UTC+6:00). When Nepal adopted standard time in 1986, they chose UTC+5:45 to be 15 minutes ahead of India — a deliberate statement of independence. Kathmandu, the capital, is the largest city in the country and the gateway to the Himalayas. Mount Everest sits on the border between Nepal and China.
Time Zone Overview
| Time Zone(s) | DST |
|---|---|
| NPT (UTC+5:45) | No |
Major Cities in Nepal
Click any city to see the current local time:
Quick Facts
- Time zone: NPT (UTC+5:45)
- DST: No
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Nepal UTC+5:45?
Nepal chose a 45-minute offset in 1986 to be 15 minutes different from India (UTC+5:30), as a statement of national identity.
Does Nepal observe daylight saving time?
No, Nepal uses UTC+5:45 year-round.
Time in Daily Life
Nepal uses UTC+5:45, one of only two countries with a 45-minute offset, shared nationally with no daylight saving.
The unusual offset reflects Kathmandu's local solar time, and it sets Nepal a quarter hour apart from India, its giant neighbour to the south.
The workday in Kathmandu typically runs 10:00 to 17:00, and mountain regions keep their own seasonal rhythms tied more to daylight than to the clock.