Migration between India and Nepal represents one of the most enduring and distinctive forms of cross-border mobility in South Asia. Enabled by an open border arrangement that allows unrestricted movement of people without passport or visa requirements, this corridor has fostered long-standing socio-economic and cultural ties between the two countries. The proposed study will provide a descriptive and analytical overview of Indian migration to Nepal, with particular attention to labour movements that shape transnational economic linkages. It will trace the historical evolution of these flows and explore regional origins, community networks, and occupational patterns.

Drawing on secondary sources such as census data, government publications, and academic studies, the paper will examine the employment-oriented, informal, and circular characteristics of migration from India to Nepal. Migrants are expected to be concentrated in the service, trade, and construction sectors, often participating in seasonal or short-term work influenced by economic opportunities and social networks. However, limitations in data quality and coverage will be highlighted as key challenges in understanding these dynamics.

The study will further emphasize the dual issues of invisibility and policy neglect surrounding this migration system. Despite its economic and historical significance, cooperation between India and Nepal on labour mobility management remains limited. The paper will propose the need for stronger data systems, improved methodologies, and enhanced bilateral coordination to strengthen migration governance. By consolidating dispersed evidence, the research will aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of cross-border labour mobility within the India–Nepal migration corridor.