Nepal’s former Chief Justice, Sushila Karki, has been appointed as the country's interim Prime Minister, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Her appointment was formalized at an oath-taking ceremony administered by President Ram Chandra Poudel at 9 PM on September 12, 2025, in accordance with the Constitution's Article 61.
The appointment was possible after four days of nationwide protests led by Gen Z groups against corruption and the government’s ban on social media, which ultimately led to the resignation of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on September 9. The Gen Z group proposed her as their candidate after an intensive series of virtual negotiations on Discord, where Karki earned the highest number of votes.
Karki’s new role as interim Prime Minister includes the responsibility of being the Chancellor of major universities and health science academies.
Karki was born on Jestha 25, 2009 B.S. in Biratnagar as the eldest of seven children. She completed her Bachelor of Arts from Mahendra Morang Campus, Biratnagar, in 2028 B.S., followed by a Master’s degree in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University in 2031 B.S. In 2034 B.S., she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Law from Tribhuvan University.
Professionally, Karki began her career in teaching. Between 2042 and 2046 B.S., she taught at Mahendra Multiple Campus. Alongside her academic career, she started practicing litigation in 2035 B.S. She has also held leadership roles as Chairperson of both the Koshi Zone Bar and Biratnagar Appellate Bar.
In 2061 B.S., she was designated as a Senior Advocate. Four years later, in 2065 B.S., she was appointed an ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court of Nepal. She became a permanent judge of the Supreme Court on Mangsir 2, 2067 B.S. and went on to serve as Nepal’s first female Chief Justice from Asar 27, 2073 B.S.
On Bhadra 27, 2082 B.S., Sushila Karki has now been appointed as the first female Prime Minister of Nepal, adding another milestone to her distinguished legal and judicial career.
