After commissioning, "Nepal" was assigned to the Home Fleet, based at Scapa Flow. During this time, the ship was filmed to represent the fictional HMS "Torrin" for the British war film "In Which We Serve". In July 1942, the destroyer was reassigned to the British Eastern Fleet, and sailed from Scotland to Kenya. During September, the destroyer was involved in the later parts of the Madagascar campaign. During the rest of 1942, the destroyer operated on convoy escort runs and anti-submarine patrols from Kilindini. In March 1943, "Nepal" sailed to Australia for a two-month refit during April and May.