Sudan Gurung’s ‘The Civilian Force’: A Tech-Driven Push For Good Governance And State Accountability

Kathmandu: Public frustration among young people over political leadership and administrative inefficiency in Nepal is not new. However, transforming that anger into structured and constructive change is the challenge. Sudan Gurung, coordinator of the Hami Nepal campaign and a leading figure of the Gen-Z movement, has now introduced a new digital initiative called The Civilian Force.

This is not merely a website or a social media group. Gurung describes it as a comprehensive digital platform that combines advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and citizen participation to make the state more accountable. In an exclusive interview with TechPana, he explained the technical design, data security framework, and governance goals of the platform.

What is the Civilian Force?

According to Gurung, The Civilian Force is designed as a digital bridge between citizens and the government. Its core objective is to address bureaucratic complexity, lack of access, and information gaps that citizens face daily.

“Our country is far behind in the use of technology,” Gurung said. “While the world is adopting AI, people here still need brokers just to fill out basic government forms. The Civilian Force will digitally connect problems from the remotest villages directly to Singha Durbar.”

Use of Agentic AI and Large Language Model (LLM)

A key feature of the platform is its planned use of advanced artificial intelligence. Gurung said the system will rely on an AI-driven Large Language Model trained on Nepal’s Constitution, laws, rules, and administrative procedures.

Through this system, citizens will be able to seek guidance on administrative processes. For example, if someone does not know how to apply to the Ministry of Finance or the Passport Department, the AI will generate an application in the correct legal format, citing relevant clauses and provisions.

“We are building an agentic AI system that reduces legal confusion in government offices,” Gurung said. “If an official claims a law does not apply, the AI can immediately clarify which provisions are applicable. This gives citizens legal confidence.”

The Question of Data Security

Data security remains a major concern for any large digital platform. Gurung addressed allegations related to the misuse of emails and phone numbers, stating that all data will fall under Nepal’s Data Sovereignty framework.

“The data is stored within Nepal. The servers are located in Nepal, and our cyber team monitors the system continuously,” he said. He added that Google’s security standards apply when users sign in through Google accounts. 

Speaking about the privacy of complaints or complainants, he said, "We have made arrangements for moderators and district coordinators. When someone files a complaint against a person in power, their security and privacy will be ensured technically."

'Shadow Government' and Monitoring Through Technology

The term ‘shadow government’, often used by Gurung, has generated debate. He clarified that it does not mean an alternative state structure. Instead, it refers to a technology-based monitoring system that evaluates how ministries function and how citizen complaints are handled.

As an example, he cited a recent voter registration drive. Gurung claimed that technical coordination and volunteer mobilization helped add around 600,000 voters within three days. “This was officially the Home Ministry’s responsibility, but technology made the process faster and more effective,” he said.

The Civilian Force is currently in a testing phase. Gurung said development has been divided into three stages. The first version will be made public on February 10, National Unity Day. In this phase, citizen complaints will be handled through human moderators. The second phase will introduce a fully integrated AI system for legal guidance and administrative facilitation. The final phase will convert the platform into a full mobile application, giving citizens direct access to services and complaint mechanisms.

Sudan Gurung's Challenges

Gurung acknowledged that challenges remain. He claimed political actors have mobilized coordinated online opposition campaigns. He also said misinformation and fake news pose serious risks. According to him, the platform will rely on verification mechanisms, research, and field-level confirmation to separate facts from false claims.

If The Civilian Force performs as intended, it could disrupt Nepal’s traditional governance model by using technology to reduce delays and corruption. However, its long-term impact will depend on data security, AI reliability, and coordination with state institutions. The public response to its first release on February 10 is likely to shape the future of this digital governance experiment.

 

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