The Constitution of Nepal establishes that a NPHC should be conducted every 10 years. The census operation and management executive order 2019 from the government of Nepal (GoN) is the legal base for management and execution of the NPHC 2021. The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), legally responsible for conducting the Population and Housing Census under the Statistical Act 2015 B.S. (1958 AD)/ statistical regulations 2041 B.S., will be the implementing agency for the 2021 NPHC.

In line with the legal provisions and executive orders, the Government of Nepal has approved census organizational structure with defined roles, functions and responsibilities towards planning, organization and management of the census operations 2021.