One Year Later: Have Nepal's Gen Z Protesters Achieved Their Goals?

People gather to pay homage to victims of the 2025 anticorruption Gen Z protests, during a memorial at the old Parliament building in Kathmandu on September 8, 2026. One year ago, thousands of young people took to the streets in multiple Nepali cities to protest against corruption. Following the resulting curfews, arrests and the killing of protesters in a crackdown on the demonstrations, the Gen Z‑led movement forced the government from power, ushering in an interim administration and opening the way for new elections. Now, as Nepal grapples with the aftermath of devastating floods along its border with Tibet, we examine what has changed over the past year – and whether the demands of the Gen Z protesters have been met.

What happened in Nepal last year?

On September 8, 2025, youth-led “Gen Z” protests began in Kathmandu and other cities of Nepal. Demonstrators who took to the streets were protesting a series of corruption scandals in the country and were also angered by the rising trend of the children of Nepali government officials – dubbed “Nepo kids” – documenting their lavish lifestyles online. The protests broke out just days after the country blocked 26 social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok for not complying with government rules about “harmful” content. This ban was lifted when the protests began. Some young demonstrators defied curfews imposed by the authorities after demonstrations began, leading to arrests and the police firing live rounds at protesters, killing about 76 people. Hundreds of protesters were injured and hundreds more arrested. Protesters also set fire to several government buildings, including parliament, and the army was deployed.

Then, on September 9, Prime Minister KP Oli resigned from his position. Within a week, Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki had been appointed as the country’s new interim prime minister. Ultimately, the protests culminated in the current government being formed in March this year when Balendra Shah was sworn in as the country’s youngest-ever prime minister. Shah leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), also known as the National Independent Party, a new anti‑establishment party which emerged after the youth-led protests and won more than two‑thirds of the 165 directly elected seats in parliament in March. Traditional parties such as the Nepali Congress and the CPN‑UML have a much smaller representation than ever before. Although he was not a street organiser of the protests, Shah became one of the most prominent political figures, channelling Gen Z’s anger into his electoral campaign.

What were the key demands of the Gen Z protesters?

They included an end to corruption, with protesters demanding greater transparency and accountability from political elites they view as corrupt, as well as an end to nepotism. They also called for mass resignations and suspensions, including the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and parliamentarians, alongside a political overhaul involving the dissolution of parliament, establishment of an interim government, and holding new general elections.

Have these demands been met?

The demands have been met to some extent. For instance, Oli resigned in the wake of the Gen Z‑led protests, and several senior members of his government also stepped down. Parliament was dissolved, an interim government was established, and new general elections were held in March this year. Yog Raj Lamichhane, an assistant professor at Nepal’s Pokhara University, noted that the interim government successfully conducted peaceful elections despite the loss of life and property. In March this year, Nepal police arrested Oli and former Home Affairs Minister Ramesh Lekhak for their alleged involvement in the deadly crackdown on the protesters last year. However, both men were released in April after a Supreme Court order, and the issue of corruption among political elites has barely been addressed, according to observers.

Has the leadership change made any difference?

Some of the young leaders have entered parliament and government, while others remain in activist groups. Those who were elected to parliament in March mostly belong to the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Bishnu Raj Upreti, a public policy analyst and research director at Nepal Centre for Contemporary Research (NCCR), pointed out that while the leadership change has brought some positive differences, younger MPs remain constrained by party hierarchies and Nepal’s entrenched political system. This has resulted in a divide between those in government positions and activist groups, with several activists boycotting government meetings regarding constitutional amendments.

Where are the protesters now?

On Tuesday, families of protesters who were killed in last year’s crackdown organised a formal commemoration at the old parliament building. While injured protesters have generally received medical treatment and financial compensation, activists note that more than 900 to 1,600 people remain in jail for arson related to the protests. Activists hope the new administration will treat these detainees better, but uncertainty remains.

What still needs to change?

Analysts say structural changes are necessary, including reforming existing laws and policies and addressing the bureaucracy. Additionally, experts emphasize the need to develop better relations with India and China, as well as improving collaboration between the federal movement and provincial and local governments.