The Eastern Development Region (Nepali: पुर्वाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र, Purwānchal Bikās Kshetra) was one of Nepal's five development regions. It is also known as Kirata region. It was located at the eastern end of the country with its headquarters at Dhankuta. The town of Dhankuta was the headquarter of the Eastern Region, as well as the headquarter of the Dhankuta District.

On April 13, 1961 Mahendra, the king of Nepal, divided the existing 35 districts into 75 districts and grouped them into 14 administrative zones.

In 1972, the King of Nepal grouped 14 zones into total 4 development regions, thus Eastern Development Region came into existence.

On 20 September 2015, Eastern Development Region including all other development regions of Nepal were abolished, when the new Constitution of Nepal-2015 was proclaimed. The total area of the region was 28,456 km².

The region administratively was divided into 3 zones and 16 districts. Each zone contained 4 or more districts. Districts were divided into municipalities and village development committees.

The Eastern Development Region was split into 3 zones:

The region was made up of the 16 districts. Mechi Zone contained 4 districts whereas 2 other zones Kosi Zone and Sagarmatha Zone contained 6-6 districts.

Before 2014, the total number of municipalities in Nepal was 58, of which 14 municipalities were located in Eastern Development Region.