Nepal First Woman Prime Minister Sushila Karki Takes Oath

Sushila Karki becomes Nepal first woman Prime Minister after K.P. Sharma Oli resigns amid mass protests and unrest.

Nepal has entered a historic chapter as Sushila Karki was officially appointed as the country’s first woman Prime Minister, leading an interim government during a period of nationwide political unrest. Her rise to the highest office comes after the resignation of K.P. Sharma Oli, who stepped down amid intense public protests and a deepening political crisis.

Who is Sushila Karki?

Sushila Karki, 73, is a respected jurist known for her strong stance on justice and transparency. She previously served as Chief Justice of Nepal from 2016 to 2017, becoming the first woman to ever hold that position.

Early Life:
Karki was born in Shankarpur, Morang District, in eastern Nepal, to a farming family.
She pursued her education in law, earning degrees in both political science and law.
She later studied at Banaras Hindu University in India before starting her legal career in 1979.
Judicial Career:
Throughout her career, Karki became known for her fearless fight against corruption and for defending judicial independence.
In 2017, she faced an impeachment attempt in parliament due to controversial rulings but was reinstated after widespread public protests supporting her integrity.

Karki’s reputation as a strong, principled leader earned her respect across political and social groups, making her a natural choice to lead Nepal in this transitional phase.

Why the Leadership Change Happened

Nepal has been facing widespread unrest in recent months.

Large-scale protests erupted over issues such as corruption, political favoritism, inequality, and a controversial social media ban introduced by the government.
Many of these protests were led by young people and civil society groups demanding reform and accountability.
Several demonstrations turned violent, forcing authorities to impose curfews and deploy security forces in key areas of Kathmandu.

The growing pressure ultimately forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign from office, opening the way for a neutral figure to lead the country until new elections could be held.

Also Read: KP Oli Blames India for Nepal Crisis Amid Lord Ram Birthplace Row

How Sushila Karki Was Chosen

After Oli’s resignation, President Ram Chandra Poudel held consultations with political leaders, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders to identify a leader capable of uniting the country during this crisis.

Sushila Karki was selected as the ideal candidate due to her non-partisan background and clean reputation.
She was viewed as a trusted figure who could calm tensions and oversee a peaceful transition of power.
Following her appointment, she requested the dissolution of parliament to establish a fully independent interim government.

On September 12, 2025, Sushila Karki was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal, becoming the first woman in the nation’s history to hold the position.

Mandate and Responsibilities

As head of the interim government, Sushila Karki’s primary role is to stabilize the country and lay the groundwork for free and fair elections.
Her government’s key responsibilities include:

Addressing public grievances that fueled recent protests.
Reviewing and potentially reversing controversial policies, including the social media ban.
Restoring law and order while protecting citizens’ rights.
Rebuilding trust in the government by ensuring accountability and transparency.
Preparing a neutral and credible framework for upcoming elections.

Challenges Ahead

Although her appointment has been widely welcomed, Sushila Karki faces significant challenges:

Managing high public expectations and political tensions.
Balancing demands from diverse political factions without taking sides.
Ensuring security during the ongoing protests.
Organizing and overseeing elections that are both transparent and trusted by the people.

Given her lack of direct political experience, running a government will be a new test for Karki, who has primarily worked in the judiciary throughout her career.

Historical Significance

Sushila Karki’s appointment marks a historic breakthrough for gender equality in Nepal.
She is not only the first woman to lead the judiciary but now also the first woman to lead the government, setting a precedent for women’s representation in the country’s political landscape.

For many citizens, her leadership symbolizes hope for change and reform, especially during a time when public faith in political leaders has been deeply shaken.

Nepal now stands at a turning point, with Sushila Karki at the helm of an interim government tasked with navigating the nation through its current crisis and preparing for a democratic future.