Naharlagun is administered as part of the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC), which oversees the civic infrastructure, sanitation, and urban planning of the twin capital complex. The city falls under the jurisdiction of the Papum Pare district, which is headed by a Deputy Commissioner.
Politically, Naharlagun is represented in the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly as part of the Itanagar constituency. The city is heavily populated by government employees, as many directorates and state government offices are located within its boundaries, sharing the administrative load with Itanagar.
