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

Abstract Digital governance has become a central pillar of public sector transformation, particularly in developing countries were institutional and infrastructural capacities shape service delivery outcomes. In Nepal, the federal governance system has increased the role of provincial governments in adopting digital systems for administrative efficiency and inclusive governance. This study assesses the digital governance capabilities of Bagmati 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 Bagmati Province demonstrates relatively advanced infrastructure, stronger institutional capacity, and wider availability of digital services compared to other provinces. However, challenges remain in system integration, service optimization, and equitable access across populations. The study argues that digital governance in Bagmati is transitioning toward system integration but requires improved coordination and user-centered design. The research contributes by providing a benchmark case for digital governance in Nepal and proposing a socio-technical model for understanding provincial-level digital transformation. Keywords: Digital Governance, ICT4D, Digital Divide, Public Service Delivery, Bagmati Province, Nepal