Assessing Digital Governance Capabilities in Lumbini Province, Nepal: A Socio-Technical and Institutional Analysis

Abstract Digital governance has become an important mechanism for improving public service delivery and administrative efficiency in developing countries. In Nepal, the federal governance structure has increased the role of provincial governments in adopting digital systems for governance improvement. This study assesses the digital governance capabilities of Lumbini Province using a socio-technical and institutional framework. The analysis is based on secondary data from policy documents, ICT initiatives, and governance practices. The findings indicate that Lumbini Province demonstrates moderate progress in digital governance, supported by improving infrastructure and increasing institutional awareness. However, challenges remain in system integration, digital literacy, and service accessibility, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. The study argues that digital governance in Lumbini is influenced by both institutional capacity and regional disparities. The research contributes by providing a province-specific assessment and proposing a socio-technical model to understand digital governance in mixed geographic and administrative contexts. Keywords: Digital Governance, ICT4D, Digital Divide, Public Service Delivery, Lumbini Province, Nepal