Sushila Karki, Nepal's former chief justice and a veteran jurist renowned for her firm stance against corruption, has been sworn in as Nepal's interim prime minister, becoming the first woman to lead the Himalayan nation.
Her appointment on September 12, 2025, came after weeks of intense political unrest and youth-led anti-corruption protests that forced former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. President Ram Chandra Paudel administered her oath of office at a ceremony attended by senior government officials, the military chief, and diplomatic representatives.
Karki's selection followed consultations involving the President, Nepal's top military brass, and representatives from the protest movement, especially the Gen-Z group that spearheaded nationwide demonstrations.
Mandated to lead a caretaker government, Karki is tasked with steering Nepal toward fresh parliamentary elections scheduled within six months. At her first cabinet meeting, she proposed holding the polls on March 4, 2026. Discussions about imposing a state of emergency amid the crisis are also underway.
Her appointment symbolizes a historic milestone in Nepal’s politics, breaking the gender barrier at the highest executive office. Karki, an alumnus of Benaras Hindu University, had previously been offered an academic post at BHU but chose a different path in public service.
Local political actors and protest leaders alike have welcomed her appointment, viewing it as a conciliatory step toward national unity and reform.