Dr. Neelam Dhungana Timsina

About

Home / About

Senior Deputy Governor

Dr. Neelam Dhungana Timsina

Senior Deputy Governor, Nepal Rastra Bank

As the Senior Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, the position I have held since March 9, 2021, I firmly believe that honesty, perseverance, and hard work are the cornerstones of shaping one's identity. In my view, moral integrity and honesty are the true treasures in a person's life. I was born on 29th November, 1968 (14th Mangsir, 2025 BS) in Damak Municipality, Jhapa, Ward No. 13. From a young age, I was a diligent and hardworking student. Both of my parents were engaged in the holy profession of enlightening the students, as my father was a secondary School Supervisor, and my mother was a school teacher. In our household, we managed all the domestic tasks ourselves, from caring for livestock to growing vegetables and helping in the kitchen. Time management was challenging, especially with the one-hour walk to school. Despite, the educational atmosphere at home instilled in me a strong sense of duty to channelize my education for the benefit of my country.

img
Educational Background and Early Professional Career

I completed my School Leaving Certificate (SLC) from Himalaya Secondary School in Damak in 1985 (2041 BS). I then completed I.Com. from Damak Campus, Jhapa, with the first rank in my district in 1987 (2044 BS ). Following this, I earned my B. Com. from Mahendra Morang Campus in Biratnagar in 1989 (2046 BS). With flying colors, in 1993 ( 2050 BS), I completed my MBA with a gold medal, graduating with first-class honors.

I began my professional journey as Assistant Lecturer in Postgraduate Campus, Biratnagar from 1996 (Shrawan 2053 BS) to 1997 (Mangsir 2054 BS), where I taught accountancy and finance to postgraduate students. During this time, a vacancy for the position of Assistant Officer in Nepal Rastra Bank caught my attention. I applied, passed the examination, and commenced my service at Nepal Rastra Bank on November 1997 (22nd Mangsir 2054 BS). As an Officer III, I contributed to the Foreign Exchange Management Department, Biratnagar Office, and the Bank Supervision Department.

While diligently performing my duties, I had the opportunity from Nepal Rastra Bank to pursue an MA in Economics at the University of Wollongong in Australia, graduating with distinction. In 2004 (Baisakh 2060 BS), I was promoted to Officer Second through an internal competitive examination, making significant contributions to the Monetary and Government Finance Division of the Economic Research Department.

During my tenure, I honed my skills in research methodologies, quantitative modeling techniques, writing, and preparing monetary surveys and economic reports, all of which have been instrumental in guiding the institution toward its objectives. In 2010 (2067 BS), I was promoted to the First Class Officer through another internal competitive examination. While serving as the First Class Officer in the Bank Supervision Department, I emphasized effective supervision to strengthen financial stability, including institutional governance, internal controls, and risk management of commercial banks.

Trailblazing Leadership in Internal Audit and Monetary Management

In 2018 (2074 BS), I was promoted to Special Class Officer, serving in the Internal Audit Department and the Public Debt (now Monetary Management) Department. My tenure in the Internal Audit Department allowed me to closely observe the central bank's internal control systems and understand the necessary governance mechanisms within the banking and financial sector. Despite the general reluctance among employees to transfer to the Internal Audit Department, I eagerly took on the role of the department head. I led the creation of process documents, an Audit Charter, Risk-Based Internal Audit protocols, and the Three Lines of Defense Model, establishing a robust internal audit framework. I also facilitated foreign training opportunities for staff to help enhance their understanding of internal auditing's importance within the central bank. As a result, employee motivation increased, and they now take pride in being transferred to the Internal Audit Department.

Subsequently, I was transferred to the Monetary Management Department, where I contributed significantly to liquidity management, the effective implementation of the interest rate corridor, and the practical application of monetary policy through open market operations, crucial in achieving price and interest rate stability. Amidst these responsibilities, I completed my Ph.D. in 2019 (2076 BS) with an extensive exploration on the topic "A Study on Bank Lending Behavior and Monetary Transmission Mechanism in Nepalese Commercial Banks" from Mewar University in India. My academic pursuits have led to the publication of several research papers on economic policy, economic growth, and financial stability.

img

Decoding Women Leadership

Recognizing my inner talents, capabilities, extensive knowledge in economic, monetary, and banking affairs, unwavering dedication, and leadership abilities, the Government of Nepal appointed me as the Senior Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank on March 2021 (Falgun 25, 2077). It was the historical achievement that Nepal Rastra Bank has female Deputy Governor in its history of 64 years. I have been diligently and skillfully fulfilling this responsibility ever since. During my tenure, I have played a pivotal role in Nepal Rastra Bank to achieve its objectives. My contributions have spanned across various domains, including formulation and implementation of monetary policy, efficient and effective regulation and supervision of banks and financial institutions, development of a secure payment system and management of foreign exchange.

To make monetary policy formulation process more effective, Nepal Rastra Bank recently established a Monetary Policy Advisory Committee, which included participation from external experts. I had the privilege of leading this committee as its coordinator.

Under my coordinated leadership, significant initiatives have been taken to improve foreign exchange management. These efforts include facilitating foreign loan and investment processes, streamlining principal and interest repayments, attracting foreign investment, and encouraging remittance inflows. Through efficient portfolio management of foreign exchange reserves, Nepal has recently seen substantial benefits. Additionally, I have served as the coordinator of the Microfinance Victims' Problem Resolution Committee, established by the Government of Nepal to address issues related to microfinance. The committee's report has paved the way for resolving these challenges. In my career, I have also served as the Chairperson of the Credit Information Center, a member of the Executive Committee of the South East Asian Central Banks Research and Training Centre (SEACEN) in Malaysia, a member of the SAARC Finance Payment Council, an Alternate Director on the board of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), and an Editor of the Economic Review published by Nepal Rastra Bank. Further, I have participated in numerous national and international seminars and conferences, representing Nepal and sharing my insights on global financial trends and practices. A blend of practical experience and academic scholarship positions me as a leading authority in both the financial and academic realms.

The accomplishments achieved through the honest and diligent fulfillment of my duties have undeniably contributed to Nepal Rastra Bank's success in achieving its main objective of price stability, financial stability, external sector stability as well as developing secure and healthy payment system; along with propelling the economy forward, encouraging the productive sector, uplifting impoverished and marginalized communities and ultimately supporting the Government of Nepal's economic development initiatives. Witnessing these positive impacts fills me with profound pride.

2025 BS (1968 AD)

Born on - 14th Mangsir, 2025 BS (29th November, 1968 AD)
Damak Municipality, Jhapa

2041 BS (1985 AD)

Completed School Leaving Certificate (SLC) from Himalaya Secondary School in Damak

2042-2044 BS (1985-1987 AD)

Graduated with an I. Com from Damak Campus, topping the district in the batch

2045-2047 BS (1987-1989 AD)

Earned B. Com from Mahendra Morang Campus in Biratnagar

2050 BS (1993 AD)

Completed MBA with a gold medal
Graduating with first-class honors

2053-2054 BS (1996 -1997 AD)

Began professional journey as a mentor in Accounting at the Postgraduate Campus in Biratnagar from Bhadra 2053 BS to Mangsir 2054 BS

2054 BS (1997 AD)

Commenced service at Nepal Rastra Bank on 22nd Mangsir 2054 BS as an Officer III
Contributed to the Foreign Exchange Management Department, Biratnagar Office, and the Bank Supervision Department

Between 2054-2061 BS (1998 - 2004 AD)

Pursued an MA in Economics at the University of Wollongong in Australia
graduating with distinction

2061 BS (2004 AD)

Promoted to Officer Second through an internal competitive examination in Baisakh 2061 BS

2067 BS (2010 AD)

Promoted to Officer I through another internal competitive examination in 2067 BS

2074 BS (2018 AD)

Promoted to Officer Special in 2074 BS, serving in the Internal Audit Department and the Public Debt (now Monetary Management) Department.

2075/76 BS (2019/20 AD)

Completed Ph.D. in 2019 on "A Study on Bank Lending Behavior and Monetary Transmission Mechanism in Nepalese Commercial Banks" from Mewar University in India

2077 BS (2021 AD)

Appointed as the Senior Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank by the Government of Nepal on Falgun 25, 2077