Updated for 2026 · Applies to Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell subscribers
Nepal's National Identity Card (NID), locally called Rastriya Parichaya Patra, is steadily becoming the backbone of identity verification in the country. Telecom operators are following the same path as banks and government portals: SIM registration and periodic KYC (Know Your Customer) updates increasingly ask for your National Identification Number (NIN) instead of, or alongside, your citizenship certificate number.
This guide explains what the NID actually is in this context, how to link it to a brand-new SIM, and how to update an existing NTC or Ncell number with your NID details.
Quick answer: For a new SIM, simply carry your physical NID card (or the digital NID in the Nagarik App) to the point of sale — it is accepted the same way a citizenship certificate is. For an existing SIM, update your KYC through NTC's online portal at kyc.ntc.net.np or visit your nearest Ncell service center with your NID.
What Is the NID and Why Telecom Operators Want It
National ID (NID)The NID is a biometric smart card issued by the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Every card carries a unique 10-digit National Identification Number (NIN), along with the holder's photo, fingerprints, and demographic details. The government's long-term goal is for the NID to replace the citizenship certificate as the primary identity document across banking, telecom, passports, and other public services.
For telecom operators, linking a SIM to a verified NIN reduces SIM cards issued under fake or borrowed identities, a longstanding concern for the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). If you do not yet have a physical NID, the interim National Identification Number issued after biometric enrollment, or the digital NID inside the Nagarik App, is generally accepted while the physical card is being printed and delivered.
You will need to complete NID pre-enrollment first. This is a two-step process: online pre-enrollment through the official DoNIDCR citizen portal, followed by an in-person biometric appointment (fingerprints, iris scan, and photo) at your nearest District Administration Office. The first card is free; a replacement costs NPR 500.
Linking NID When Buying a New SIM
Carry your NID (or citizenship certificate)
Bring your physical NID card, or open the digital NID inside the Nagarik App if the card has not arrived yet. A recent passport-size photo is still typically requested at the counter.
Visit an authorized SIM outlet or start online
Nepal Telecom's online KYC portal lets you begin a new SIM application from home; after filling in your details, you receive a QR code that you take to the nearest Nepal Telecom outlet to complete activation. Ncell SIMs are typically registered directly at an authorized outlet or airport counter.
Biometric and photo capture
At the outlet, staff will scan your NID (or citizenship), capture your photo and fingerprint if required, and record your NIN against the new SIM in the operator's database.
Confirm activation
You will receive an SMS once the SIM is active. Dial the operator's ownership-check USSD code afterward to confirm your name and details were recorded correctly.
Linking NID to an Existing NTC SIM
NTC / NamasteNepal Telecom's Online KYC Update Portal is the main self-service route for existing prepaid GSM users to add or correct their NID details without a full office visit.
Open the NT KYC Update Portal
Go to kyc.ntc.net.np in your browser, complete the captcha, and generate a one-time password (OTP), which arrives by SMS on your NTC number within about 90 seconds.
Fill in the profile update form
Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your NID, along with your father's/mother's name and other requested demographic fields. Provide your National Identification Number (NIN) where the form asks for identity document details.
Complete outgoing call verification
To confirm you genuinely control the number, the portal asks you to list five different numbers you called (not received calls from) within the last two months, excluding shortcodes such as 1415 or 197.
Choose a counter and submit
Select a preferred verification counter (you are not strictly limited to that location later), then submit. Your application is reviewed by Nepal Telecom administrators, and you can log back in anytime to check status or fix requested corrections.
Final in-person verification (where required)
Depending on the rollout stage in your area, a single visit to the chosen NTC office with your original NID may still be required to complete verification. You will get an SMS once your KYC update is approved.
Linking NID to an Existing Ncell SIM
NcellNcell's KYC update for existing numbers is primarily handled in person, though the Ncell App surfaces some account details.
Check your current registration
Dial *9966# or open the Ncell App to see what identity details are currently on file for your number.
Visit the nearest Ncell center
Bring your original NID (citizenship or passport is also accepted where NID is not yet issued) to any Ncell customer service center for KYC verification and to have your NIN recorded against your number.
Confirm the update
After verification, re-check your details using the USSD code or the app to confirm the NID-linked information was saved correctly.
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