In a landmark political shift, Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, has been sworn in as the country’s first woman Prime Minister on 12 September 2025. Her appointment comes after a Gen-Z-led uprising forced the resignation of former PM KP Sharma Oli, dismantling Nepal’s long-standing political order.
The protests, triggered by a proposed social media ban, escalated into a mass movement against corruption and poor governance. With over 30 deaths and 1,000+ injuries, the revolt brought down the old guard, ushering in a generational change.
At 73, Karki emerged as a consensus choice due to her clean image, anti-corruption record, and strong public credibility. She previously served as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice (2016–2017) and is widely respected for her fearless stance on judicial independence.
As interim Prime Minister, her primary mandate is to stabilize Nepal, restore public trust, and conduct free and fair elections within 6–12 months. Her leadership marks a historic gender and generational milestone in South Asia’s politics, with potential implications for India–Nepal relations given her academic ties to India.
