From courtroom to Prime Minister, Sushila Karki makes history as Nepal’s first woman PM. Know her journey, achievements, and India connection explained in detail.
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NEPAL: Kathmandu is witnessing a political shift as former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister on September 12, 2025. The appointment comes after weeks of intense political turmoil, mass protests led by Generation Z, and the resignation of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. President Ram Chandra Poudel dissolved Parliament and announced fresh elections for March 5, 2026, while administering the oath of office to Ms. Karki.
Sushila Karki, 73, is widely admired for her integrity and anti-corruption stance. Best known for being the first woman Chief Justice of Nepal from July 2016 to June 2017, she earned a reputation for zero tolerance towards corruption. Her elevation to the Prime Minister’s role reflects public demand for a clean and upright leader in a country reeling from political misrule.
Her appointment also draws comparisons to Bangladesh’s interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus last year, following another student-led uprising.
Nepal’s political crisis erupted after the Oli government imposed a social media ban in early September 2025. Outraged by corruption, nepotism, and years of misrule, Nepal’s tech-savvy Gen Z protesters took to the streets. Demonstrations turned violent, leading to arson at major government sites, including the Supreme Court, Parliament, and Singha Durbar, symbols of state power.
Police crackdowns only fueled the movement further, with at least 51 people killed and more than 1,300 injured in clashes. The resignation of Oli on September 9, under Army protection, paved the way for negotiations. Gen Z leaders insisted that Parliament be dissolved and demanded an interim leader free from party politics. With widespread backing, Ms. Karki emerged as the consensus choice.
The decision to appoint Ms. Karki was finalized after extended consultations between President Poudel, the Army chief, and Gen Z leaders like Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah. Protesters considered the dissolution of Parliament “non-negotiable,” fearing that entrenched political parties would retain influence otherwise. Despite constitutional concerns, experts like Bipin Adhikari argue that her appointment, as a crisis remedy, is unlikely to be challenged in court.
Sushila Karki
Early Life and Education:
Born in 1952 in eastern Nepal, Sushila Karki grew up in a farming family closely associated with democratic leader B.P. Koirala. She completed her B.A. in 1972 from Mahendra Morang Campus, a master’s in political science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1975, and a law degree from Tribhuvan University in 1978. She balanced an early teaching career with legal practice before rising to Nepal’s highest judicial office.
Judicial Career and Controversies:
Karki’s judicial career was marked by bold decisions. Appointed to Nepal’s Supreme Court in 2009, she rose to become Chief Justice in 2016. In 2017, she faced an impeachment motion filed by lawmakers accusing her of bias, which led to her temporary suspension. However, massive public backlash and judicial intervention reinstated her, cementing her reputation as a defender of judicial independence.
Her landmark judgments included the conviction of Minister Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta in a corruption case, underscoring her anti-graft image.
The India Connection and Family Legacy:
During her studies at BHU, Karki met Durga Prasad Subedi, a Nepali Congress youth leader who later became her husband. Subedi was famously involved in the 1973 Nepal Airlines hijacking, where rebels diverted a plane carrying state funds to India to fund the anti-monarchy struggle. The episode, though controversial, remains part of Nepal’s democratic history.
Challenges Ahead
As interim Prime Minister, Ms. Karki faces a critical challenge:
- Restoring law and order after weeks of violence.
- Overseeing independent investigations into the September 8 crackdown and subsequent arson attacks.
- Ensuring free and fair elections by March 2026.
- Initiating constitutional reforms to strengthen democracy and accountability.
Experts like Lok Raj Baral believe her clean image will help her maintain trust across political and civic institutions, enabling a smooth handover to an elected government.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the formation of Nepal’s interim government under Karki, expressing hope that it would foster peace and stability. India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nepal’s democratic journey as a close neighbour and development partner.
What Happened in Nepal
Nepal has been plunged into turmoil after youth-led, Gen Z–driven protests erupted over unemployment, corruption, and political stagnation. The immediate spark was a government-imposed social media ban, but frustrations had been building for years.
The protests turned violent:
- Supreme Court, Parliament, and government buildings were set on fire, destroying judicial records and crippling the legal system.
- Over 50 people were killed and more than 1,300 injured in clashes with security forces.
- The Attorney General’s Office and media outlets were also attacked.
Amid mounting chaos, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, 2025. In response to protesters’ demands, President Ram Chandra Poudel dissolved Parliament and appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister to lead an interim government.
A nationwide curfew has been imposed by the Army, as Nepal enters a historic but uncertain new chapter led by Gen Z’s push for accountability and reform.
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