Sushila Karki takes oath as interim PM of Nepal, Parliament dissolves

Sushila Karki, Nepal’s former Chief Justice, on Friday took oath as the country’s interim Prime Minister, making history as the first woman to hold the nation’s top executive post. The oath of office was administered by President Ramchandra Paudel at a formal ceremony held at Sheetal Niwas, the presidential residence in Kathmandu.  Karki’s appointment follows the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who stepped down earlier this week after mounting pressure from a nationwide movement led by Gen Z activists. The youth-driven movement, frustrated with political corruption and stagnant governance, demanded a neutral figure to guide Nepal through a transitional phase.

#WATCH | Kathmandu | Nepal's former Chief Justice, Sushila Karki, takes oath as interim PM of Nepal

Oath administered by President Ramchandra Paudel

Video source: Nepal Television/YouTube pic.twitter.com/IvwmvQ1tXW

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2025

Her selection marks a rare moment of consensus in Nepali politics. Chosen through a public vote conducted by Gen Z leaders on the online platform Discord, Karki emerged as the most widely accepted figure, gaining support not only from the youth movement but also from traditional political forces seeking stability during a period of upheaval, according to The Kathmandu Post. Karki’s mandate is to restore order, conduct elections, and ensure Nepal’s development. Praised for her judicial independence, she is seen as acceptable to both young activists and established political forces.
Born on June 7, 1952, in Shankarpur, Biratnagar, Karki built her career on decades of legal experience and a strong reputation for integrity. She earned a master’s degree from Banaras Hindu University, India, and a Bachelor of Laws from Tribhuvan University in 1978. She began practising law in 1979, eventually serving as president of the Koshi Zonal Bar Association and the Biratnagar Appellate Bar before being appointed a Supreme Court justice in 2009. In July 2016, she became Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, renowned for landmark verdicts in high-profile corruption cases.

Meanwhile,Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel on Friday dissolved the House of Representatives at the recommendation of newly appointed Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The house was dissolved with effect from 11 pm on September 12, 2025, according to a notice issued by the President’s Office. The President has also fixed March 21, 2026, as the date for holding the fresh Parliamentary elections, the notice said.