Nepalis in India
Online Psychiatrist for Nepalis in India
Nepalis in India include students at universities and medical colleges, workers in hotels, restaurants, security and other jobs, and long-settled Nepali-speaking families in cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Siliguri and Dehradun, and in Sikkim and Darjeeling. If you are one of them, Dr. Kushal Kharel and our other doctors can see you by video consultation, in Nepali or English. This page covers the time difference, common pressures and where to turn in an emergency in India.
Key takeaways
- Dr. Kushal Kharel, Consultant Psychiatrist and founder of Kathmandu Mental Health Clinic, provides online psychiatry video consultation for Nepalis in India.
- Video consultation through Google Meet or WhatsApp video call, or by phone if video is not possible. Nepal is 15 min ahead of India.
- In an emergency in India, call 112 now. Crisis line: Tele-MANAS 14416 (free, 24 hours). This clinic is not an emergency service.
Nepalis in India: life, work and study
India and Nepal share an open border, so many Nepalis have worked and studied in India for generations. Even so, being far from home in a large city, with different rules, costs and a fast pace, can be lonely.
India uses one time zone all year, with no clock changes. It is 15 minutes behind Nepal.
Because the border is open and cultures overlap, people sometimes assume that Nepalis in India will not feel far from home, but loneliness, and sometimes the feeling of being treated as an outsider, can still be real. If you have felt that, it is a valid thing to talk to a doctor about.
Common pressures for Nepalis in India
These are common experiences, not a diagnosis. If several feel familiar and have lasted for weeks, it is worth talking to someone.
- Study or exam pressure, especially in competitive courses.
- Long working hours in hotels, restaurants and security.
- Loneliness in a large, fast city.
- The cost of living, and money sent home.
- Feeling in between two places, without being fully at home in either.
Related guides: depression, panic and anxiety and stress and burnout.
Time difference between India and Nepal
Nepal is at UTC+5:45 all year, with no daylight saving.
| Where you are | Time difference | Evening example |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and all of India | Nepal is 15 min ahead | 8 pm there = 8:15 pm in Nepal |
The clocks in this country do not change during the year, and Nepal has no daylight saving either, so the gap stays the same.
What your local time means in Nepal
Shown for Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and all of India.
| Your time | Time in Nepal |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am Early morning, before work or class | 7:15 am |
| 1:00 pm Lunch break | 1:15 pm |
| 6:00 pm After work or class | 6:15 pm |
| 9:00 pm Late evening | 9:15 pm |
Nepal is 15 min ahead of India. The gap is very small, so an evening in India is also an evening in Nepal.
Use the time finder to see any Kathmandu time in 12 countries, or read the four booking steps.
If you need urgent help in India
Kathmandu Mental Health Clinic is not an emergency service. If you or someone near you is in danger or thinking of ending their life, call the local emergency number now: 112 or the crisis line: Tele-MANAS 14416 (free, 24 hours). More helplines by country: findahelpline.com and befrienders.org.
Other countries: South Asia
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a video consultation with a Nepali psychiatrist from India?
Yes. Dr. Kushal Kharel, founder of Kathmandu Mental Health Clinic and a Consultant Psychiatrist (MD Neuropsychiatry, NMC No. 27199), provides online psychiatry video consultation for Nepalis in India through Google Meet or WhatsApp video call, or by phone if video is not possible, in Nepali or English, and Dr. Sunita Lama and Dr. Bhishma K.C. also provide video consultation. Tell us which doctor you prefer when you book on WhatsApp or 9714556408; no referral is needed.
What is the time difference between India and Nepal?
Nepal is at UTC+5:45 all year. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and all of India: Nepal is 15 min ahead.
What should I do if I need urgent help in India?
Call the local emergency number now: 112. Crisis line: Tele-MANAS 14416 (free, 24 hours). Kathmandu Mental Health Clinic is not an emergency service.
Can you prescribe medicine if I live in India?
A prescription from Nepal is generally not valid abroad, so the doctor explains what is possible where you live. Where medicine is needed, we can help you prepare a summary for a doctor in India, and we work with therapy and practical strategies in the meantime. A family member in Nepal can arrange payment for you if that is easier; we share the fee when you book.
Is there a mental health helpline in India?
Yes. Tele-MANAS (14416) is a free national mental health helpline, and 112 is the national emergency number. Tell us if you would like help deciding where to turn.
Can I use my prescription from Nepal in India?
A prescription from Nepal cannot be assumed to be accepted at pharmacies in India, so please ask your doctor before you rely on it. Where medicine is needed, we can help you prepare a summary for a doctor in India.
This guide is general information and does not replace advice from a doctor. If you are worried about your health or someone's safety, seek medical help.
In an emergency: Nepal Police 100 · Ambulance 102 · Suicide prevention helpline 1166. Outside Nepal, call your local emergency number.