Kathmandu is governed locally by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) office, which operates under a Mayor-Council system. The city is divided into 32 administrative wards, each headed by a Ward Chairperson elected by the local residents. The local government is responsible for urban planning, waste management, basic education, healthcare, and infrastructure maintenance within the municipal boundaries.
As the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is also the seat of the federal government. The Singha Durbar, a massive neo-classical palace complex, houses the Prime Minister's Office and nearly all federal ministries. The Federal Parliament of Nepal, the Supreme Court, and the residence of the President (Shital Niwas) are also located within the city.
Politically, Kathmandu District is a crucial electoral battleground, divided into multiple federal and provincial legislative constituencies. Public services in the city are a mix of municipal, provincial, and federal jurisdictions, with continuous efforts to improve coordination in areas like traffic management, water distribution, and pollution control.