- The Nepal government decided to retain the updated political map on the new one-rupee coin after facing public backlash for removing it.
- The redesigned coin will feature Nepal’s official map, including disputed territories, alongside the cultural figure Akash Bhairav to reflect national identity.
- The new one-rupee coin will be smaller and lighter than the current version, following final approval from the Council of Ministers.
- Retaining the map reaffirms Nepal's constitutional claim over Limpiyadhura, Lipulek, and Kalapani amid ongoing territorial disputes with India.
Kathmandu: The Government of Nepal has decided to retain the country's updated official political map on the redesigned one-rupee coin, reversing an earlier decision that had sparked widespread public criticism. The move comes just days after the Cabinet approved a proposal to replace the map with an image of the historic Lo Ghyakar Monastery, a decision many critics said could weaken Nepal's position on its territorial claims.
Under the revised design, the new one-rupee coin will feature Nepal's official political map—which includes Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani—alongside an image of Akash Bhairav, one of the country's revered cultural and religious figures. Government officials say the redesign aims to reflect both Nepal's national identity and its rich cultural heritage.
The Ministry of Finance has prepared the revised design and is expected to submit it to the Council of Ministers for final approval. Once approved, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) will begin the legal and technical process of minting and issuing the new coin.
Nepal Rastra Bank spokesperson Guru Prasad Paudel said the central bank is prepared to issue the redesigned one-rupee coin featuring Nepal's official political map. Although the NRB has not yet received the government's final approved design, Paudel said he expects the map to remain part of the final version.
"The size and metal composition of the coin will also change. The redesigned one-rupee coin will be smaller and lighter than the existing one," Paudel said.
The government's latest decision follows an intense public debate that erupted after the Cabinet, on 20 July, approved a proposal to replace the political map on the coin with an image of the centuries-old Lo Ghyakar Monastery in Mustang. Although the monastery is one of Nepal's oldest and most significant Buddhist heritage sites, the decision prompted strong criticism from across the political spectrum.
Opposition parties, constitutional experts, former diplomats, civil society organisations and members of the public argued that removing the official political map from the national currency could be interpreted as weakening Nepal's constitutional position on the disputed border areas. Many also warned that such a move could send an unintended diplomatic message at a time when the boundary issue with India remains unresolved.
The criticism quickly gained momentum on social media and in mainstream media, prompting the government to reconsider its decision. In response to mounting public pressure, it reversed the earlier proposal and opted to retain the political map while incorporating Akash Bhairav as an additional national symbol.
Nepal officially adopted its updated political map in May 2020 during the government led by then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. The revised map includes Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani, territories that Nepal claims as integral parts of its sovereign territory. The map was incorporated into the national emblem through a constitutional amendment passed unanimously by Parliament and has since appeared on official government documents and other state publications.
The territorial dispute remains one of the most sensitive issues in Nepal-India relations. Nepal maintains that historical documents, including the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, support its claim over the three territories. India, however, maintains that the areas fall within the Indian state of Uttarakhand and has consistently rejected Nepal's revised political map, insisting that the boundary dispute should be resolved through bilateral dialogue.
Although the redesign of a one-rupee coin may appear to be a minor administrative matter, the controversy underscored the symbolic importance of national currency. For many Nepalis, the official political map represents more than a geographical outline; it reflects the country's sovereignty, constitutional commitment and national identity.
By retaining the official political map while adding the image of Akash Bhairav, the government appears to have sought a balance between reaffirming Nepal's territorial position and celebrating its cultural heritage. The decision has been widely viewed as a response to public sentiment and an effort to avoid sending mixed signals on an issue of national significance.
Following Cabinet approval, the Ministry of Finance and Nepal Rastra Bank will proceed with the production and circulation of the redesigned coin. The new one-rupee coin, which will be smaller and lighter than the current version, is expected to enter circulation after the necessary legal and technical procedures are completed.
Once issued, the redesigned coin will serve not only as legal tender but also as a symbol of Nepal's sovereignty, constitutional position and cultural heritage.
