Dev Chandra Lal Karn Appointed as Acting DG of CAAN
CAAN Acting Director General
19th December 2025, Kathmandu
Dev Chandra Lal Karn CAAN, a Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), has been appointed as the organization’s new Acting Director General (DG).
CAAN Acting Director General
This significant decision was made by Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Anil Kumar Sinha. The appointment immediately fills a critical leadership void within the aviation regulator.
Ministerial Decision Provides New Leadership
The appointment of Dev Chandra Lal Karn signifies a shift in leadership strategy. Minister Anil Kumar Sinha provided the role of Acting Director General to Karn, who was already serving as a Deputy Director General within the authority.
This move places the leadership back within CAAN’s organizational structure itself.
Previously, former Prime Minister Sushila Karki had entrusted the role of DG to Mukesh Dangol, a Joint Secretary from the Ministry.
Minister Sinha’s recent decision, however, has activated an official from the Authority to take charge. This ensures institutional knowledge remains at the helm during this transitional period.
The Ministry announced that the decision to appoint Karn was reached through a ministerial-level ruling on Friday. Karn wasted no time and immediately assumed his new responsibilities on the same day.
His immediate assumption of duty is crucial for the continuous and smooth operation of CAAN. The leadership void created by the pending case against the former DG has now been effectively addressed.
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Filling a Critical Void
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) had been operating without a permanent head. This vacuum was created after the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a case against the former Director General, Pradip Adhikari.
The absence of a DG had left the central regulatory body of Nepal’s aviation sector without decisive top-level leadership. The Minister’s decision to appoint Dev Chandra Lal Karn CAAN has therefore ensured the stability and continuity of the authority.
The aviation sector, which is vital to Nepal’s tourism and connectivity, requires robust regulatory oversight. Karn’s internal appointment is expected to provide this necessary stability and strong institutional direction moving forward.
Focus on Institutional Continuity
Karn’s background as a Deputy Director General within the Authority provides him with extensive knowledge of CAAN’s operations, challenges, and future plans.
This familiarity is expected to facilitate a swift and effective continuation of CAAN’s key functions. These functions include air traffic management, airport development, and ensuring compliance with international aviation safety standards.
The appointment underscores the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining regulatory momentum.
It allows CAAN to focus on its mandate, ensuring safety and the strategic development of Nepal’s aviation infrastructure, free from prolonged administrative uncertainty. This quick action has restored the chain of command within the regulatory body.
For more: CAAN Acting Director General
