Nepal elections 2026: Sushila Karki, a former chief justice of Nepal, took over as the 42nd Prime Minister of Nepal on September 12, 2025, amidst chaos and unrest in the country during an uprising. She is the first female leader of the Himalayan republic. She took over as a direct result of the country’s most violent political crisis.
When young demonstrators across Nepal called for an end to politics as usual, they did not turn to a seasoned party leader. Instead, they looked to 73-year-old former chief justice Sushila Karki, a woman known for her tough and fearless stance against corruption. She has been known to have an “iron fist” and has emerged as a symbol of integrity at a time when the country has been searching for clean and accountable governance.
Today, as Nepal heads into a critical round of parliamentary elections 2026, Sushila Karki’s ascension to power is a part of a larger change sweeping across the country. Her ascension to power is a reflection of how integrity, neutrality, and trust have become the most powerful forces shaping a new political order.
Who is Sushila Karki?
Sushila Karki is a former Chief Justice and the country’s first female Prime Minister. Karki made history in 2016 by becoming the country’s first female Chief Justice. She has been noted for her tough stance on corruption and her dedication to upholding the law.
Sushila Karki’s Early Life and Educational Background
Sushila Karki was born in June 1952 in Biratnagar. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mahendra Morang College in 1972. Later, she earned a Master’s degree in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University.
After completing her studies in India, she went back to Nepal and pursued a course in law from Tribhuvan University, completing it in 1978. She started working as a lawyer and taught law at Mahendra Multiple Campus in Dharan, Nepal. This is how Sushila Karki’s legal profession and commitment to justice came into being.
Sushila Karki as Nepal’s First Female Chief Justice
Sushila Karki created a historical milestone in the judicial history of Nepal in 2016 when she became the first female Chief Justice in Nepal.
In May 2017, the government sought to suspend Sushila Karki from office after Members of Parliament filed a motion against her impeachment. This came after the Supreme Court decided to cancel the appointment of Jaya Bahadur Chand, police chief, and replace him with the senior-most police officer, Nawaraj Silwal.
The impeachment decision was thought to be “politically motivated, intended to thwart the verdicts on some high-profile cases,” according to The Himalayan Times. The then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, said that “the attempt to remove her gives rise to serious concerns about the Government’s commitment to transitional justice and the rule of law.”
Sushila Karki retired in June 2017 and wrote an autobiography on her life, including her struggles during her early life and her work as a judge.
Sushila Karki’s Appointment After the 2025 Gen Z Protests
In 2025, massive protests against corruption led by Gen Z forced KP Sharma Oli to step down. The protest leaders sought a trusted personality to lead an interim government. They nominated Sushila Karki for the position.
The activists selected her name through an online poll using Discord. After holding talks with the Nepalese Army, her appointment was confirmed. President Ramchandra Poudel appointed Sushila Karki to lead an interim government until parliamentary elections are held. She took an oath of office on September 12 last year and pledged to restore peace in Nepal, ensure good governance, eradicate corruption, and conduct free and fair elections within six months.
Sushila Karki’s Key Promises and Governance Reforms
Once Sushila Karki took over the role of the Prime Minister, she declared that the people who lost their lives in the midst of the protests would be honored as “martyrs”. The next day after taking the oath of office, Sushila Karki visited hospitals where protesters were injured. She expressed her support for the cause of the protesters.
She promised an inquiry into the vandalism that took place during the protests. She announced that protesters who were injured would be given $7,000 (NPR 1 million). Sushila Karki, with her appointment, marked an era for Nepal as it elected its first female Prime Minister. This marks a huge change in the political scenario of Nepal, where trust, accountability, and integrity are of prime importance.
