Nepal has revised its official work schedule by introducing a two-day weekly holiday for government offices in response to fuel shortages caused by disruptions linked to the Iran conflict.
Under the new व्यवस्था, both Saturday and Sunday will now be observed as weekly holidays, replacing the earlier system where only Saturday was a day off. To offset the reduction in working days, government offices will operate on an extended schedule from 9 am to 5 pm, compared to the previous 10 am to 5 pm timings.
Government spokesperson Sasmita Pokharel stated that the decision was taken due to an increasingly difficult situation arising from irregular petroleum supplies. The revised system is set to come into effect from Monday.
While the new working hours apply to government offices, educational institutions will remain closed on both Saturday and Sunday and will not follow the extended timing structure. The decision was finalised during a Cabinet meeting as part of broader measures to manage the ongoing fuel crisis.
The move reflects growing pressure on Nepal’s energy supply chain, as the global situation—particularly disruptions connected to the Iran conflict—continues to impact fuel availability. In a related step, the country had earlier sharply increased aviation fuel prices for international flights to ensure timely payments to suppliers and prevent further supply interruptions.
Overall, the changes aim to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining administrative efficiency amid the ongoing crisis.
