On 14th September 2025, Sushila Karki became the first woman to serve as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal. This historic event came after a wave of protests led by young Nepali activists known as Gen Z, who sought a change in leadership and better governance. Sushila Karki is well-known for her honest and strong character, especially her work in law and justice before entering politics,
Early Life And Education
Sushila Karki was born on 7th June 1952 in Shankarpur, a small town in eastern Nepal. She grew up in a farming family and was the eldest among seven siblings. Education was very important for her, and she excelled in her studies from a young age. Sushila completed her Bachelor of Arts in 1972 from Mahendra Morang Campus. Then she moved to India to study further and earned a Master’s degree in political science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1975. Later, she returned to Nepal and completed her Bachelor of Laws degree from Tribhuvan University in 1978,
Early Career
In the 1980s, Sushila Karki worked as an assistant teacher at Mahendra Multiple Campus in Dharan, Nepal. During this time, she also started practicing law. She strongly believed in justice and fairness, which led her to join the people’s movement in 1990 that aimed to end the old political system called the Panchayat regime. Because of her activities for democracy, she was briefly imprisoned in Biratnagar jail. These difficult experiences shaped her to be a brave and determined woman ,
Sushila Karki Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Education, Religion, Husband,
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Sushila Karki |
Date of Birth | June 7, 1952 |
Place of Birth | Shankarpur, Biratnagar, Sarlahi District, Nepal |
Family Background | Eldest of seven children in a farming family |
Education | - BA from Mahendra Morang Campus, Tribhuvan University (1972) |
- Master's in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University, India (1975) | |
- Bachelor of Laws from Tribhuvan University (1978) | |
Early Career | - Started law practice in Biratnagar (1979) |
- Assistant teacher at Mahendra Multiple Campus, Dharan (1985) | |
- Imprisoned briefly during 1990 People's Movement against Panchayat regime | |
Legal Career | - Senior Advocate at Nepal Bar Association (2008) |
- Appointed ad-hoc Supreme Court Justice (2009), permanent from 2010 | |
Chief Justice | - First female Chief Justice of Nepal (July 11, 2016 - June 6, 2017) |
- Noted for zero-tolerance against corruption, convicted sitting minister Jaya Prakash Gupta | |
Political Role | - Selected as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister in September 2025 |
- First woman Prime Minister of Nepal | |
Notable Achievements | - Leading the country’s transitional government |
- Praised for judicial independence and integrity | |
Personal Life | - Married to Durga Prasad Subedi, a Nepali Congress youth leader involved in 1973 plane hijacking |
Other Information | - Known for integrity, political neutrality, and strong stance on corruption |
Judicial Service
Karki's dedication to justice helped her rise steadily in Nepal's legal system. She became a senior advocate in 2008 and was appointed as a temporary judge in the Supreme Court in 2009. In 2010, she became a permanent judge of Nepal’s Supreme Court. She served in this high position for several years and was respected for her honest decisions. In July 2016, she made history by becoming the first female Chief Justice of Nepal. Her time as Chief Justice was noted for her strict actions against corruption and her refusal to tolerate any misuse of power by officials. However, she faced opposition from some leaders and was temporarily suspended in 2017 but later reinstated following public support.
Notable Work And Books
Sushila Karki is also an author. She wrote a novel named *Kara*, which is based on her prison experiences during the fight for democracy. Besides fiction, she has participated in many important legal rulings that shaped Nepal’s fight against corruption. She convicted senior officials, including an Information Minister involved in corruption, showing her strong commitment to justice and ethical governance .
Political Journey
Although not a career politician, Karki gained wide support due to her clean image. In 2025, when widespread protests forced the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to step down, people wanted a leader who they could trust. The Gen Z protesters chose Sushila Karki through an online public poll on Discord, a social media platform. This unique choice showed the trust young Nepalis had in her honesty and independence. She was sworn in as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister on 12th September 2025. Her role is to guide the country, hold new elections, and help Nepal move forward during a difficult time.
Personal Life
Sushila Karki is married to Durga Prasad Subedi, a prominent political figure and youth leader from the Nepali Congress. The couple met while studying at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India. Her husband is notable for having taken part in Nepal’s first airplane hijacking in 1973, which was done as a political act against the monarchy to fund the struggle for democracy. The couple’s educational ties with India and their shared commitment to political change highlight important historic links between Nepal and India,
Legacy
Sushila Karki’s journey from a small town farm girl to the highest judicial post and now the interim Prime Minister is inspiring for many. She is admired for her courage, truthfulness, and fight against corruption. Her leadership during the transitional period is expected to bring stability and build a better future for Nepal. Karki is widely respected by both young activists and established political leaders, showing her rare ability to unite different groups in challenging times,
Conclusion
Sushila Karki's life is a story of struggle, education, honesty, and leadership. Born on June 7, 1952, she grew up in a humble family but achieved great success through hard work. Her education in Nepal and India, her brave fight for democracy, and her reputation for fighting corruption all prepared her for the historic role she now plays as Nepal’s first woman interim Prime Minister. Her story encourages young and old alike to believe in justice and the power of truth,