Nepal’s Gen Z Uprising Brings First Female Prime Minister and Sets March 2026 Elections

Nepal’s Historic Upheaval: Youth Protests, First Female PM, and a Path to New Elections

Nepal has entered a defining political moment after a week of unprecedented, youth-led protests shook the Himalayan nation.

The unrest began on 8 September 2025 when a temporary nationwide social-media ban sparked outrage among young citizens. Within days the demonstrations evolved into a sweeping anti-corruption movement denouncing inequality, entrenched nepotism, and government mismanagement. Thousands of mainly Gen Z protesters filled the streets of Kathmandu and major provincial cities, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli.

Violence quickly escalated. Protesters targeted parliament, the prime minister’s office, the Supreme Court, police stations, and symbols of elite privilege such as luxury hotels. According to Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs and international media, by 14 September at least 72 people had been killed and more than 2,000 injured, up from an initial toll of 19 during the first night of clashes.

Under intense pressure, Oli resigned on 12 September 2025. In a landmark decision, parliament appointed Sushila Karki, respected former Chief Justice, as Nepal’s first female prime minister to lead an interim government. Karki immediately called for calm and pledged to meet protesters’ demands for cleaner governance and economic reforms.

Her administration announced financial relief: ₨1 million Nepali rupees (about US $11,300) to the family of each victim and full medical and financial support for the injured. Karki also promised that her caretaker government will not exceed a six-month mandate, emphasizing that it exists solely to stabilize the country and oversee free elections.

Fresh parliamentary elections are scheduled for 5 March 2026, with the current legislature dissolved to ensure a neutral playing field. Karki stressed that restoring trust in democratic institutions and guaranteeing freedom of expression will be her top priorities.

Analysts note that the protests reflect far more than anger over a temporary ban. They are the culmination of years of frustration over corruption, stagnant opportunity, and perceived elite privilege. Nepal’s young generation has demonstrated the power of organized civic action to reshape national politics without military intervention.

The coming months will test the interim government’s ability to maintain order, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and deliver credible elections. Whether this moment becomes a turning point toward lasting reform—or a brief pause before renewed unrest—will depend on how faithfully leaders honor their promises and how effectively the demands of Nepal’s energetic youth are addressed.