In a significant political turn, Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice, will be the country’s first woman Prime Minister after being regarded as the interim leader by Gen-Z protest groups. This change comes after they led a youth uprising to oust former PM KP Sharma Oli and dismantled the corrupt, political status quo in Nepal.
Karki, 73, was sworn in on 12th September 2025, after President Ran Chandra Paudel agreed with Army leadership and Gen-Z representatives
The Gen-Z Revolt
• The uprising, largely organized and led by young Nepali citizens frustrated with corruption and ineffective governance, grew larger after the government attempted to ban the use of various social media platforms.
• Protests became violent resulting in over 30 deaths and more than 1,000 people injured.
• The uprising also led to the resignation of many older political leaders’ marking a generational shift in politics in Nepal.
• Other alternative names proposed to take on the leadership of either the PM role or interim leadership included Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) and the former chief of the Nepal Electricity Authority Kulman Ghising.
• Karki emerged as a consensus candidate due to her clean image, anti-corruption record and public trust level.
Who is Sushila Karki?
Born: 7 June 1952, Biratnagar, Nepal.
Education
• BA, Mahendra Morang Campus, Nepal (1972)
• MAPolitical Science, Banaras Hindu University, India (1975)
• LLB, Tribhuvan University, Nepal (1978)
• Legal career began in 1979, Senior Advocate in 2007.
Judiciary
- Appointed ad-hoc Supreme Court Judge in 2009, permanent judge in 2010.
- Served as Nepal’s first female Chief Justice (July 2016 – June 2017).
- Known for zero-tolerance against corruption, which brought her into conflict with political elites.
- Faced impeachment attempts in 2017 but completed her tenure.
- Her fearless stance against corruption and reputation for judicial independence made her the ideal figure for Nepal’s current transition.
Her Role as Interim Prime Minister
Karki will primarily focus on,
- Stabilising Nepal after weeks of unrest.
- Conducting free and fair elections within the next 6–12 months.
- Restoring public trust in governance by prioritising transparency and accountability.
- She assumes office with broad popular support, though challenges remain in navigating Nepal’s deep political divisions, economic slowdown, and fragile democratic institutions.
