List of prime ministers of Nepal facts for kids

The Prime Minister of Nepal is the head of government in Nepal. This important role has changed a lot throughout Nepal's history. In the past, different titles were used for leaders who managed the country.

During the early days of the Shah dynasty, important officials called Mulkajis or Chautariyas helped the King. They were like early prime ministers. These leaders often came from influential families.

Later, in 1804, a new powerful position called Mukhtiyar was created. This person had a lot of executive power. The title of Prime Minister, as we know it today, was officially adopted in 1843 by Mathabar Singh Thapa. He was both the Mukhtiyar and the Prime Minister.

For a long time, during the Rana family's rule, the Prime Minister's position was passed down within that family. These prime ministers held immense power, often more than the King himself. They were also known by grand titles, showing their authority.

After a big change in 1951, ordinary citizens started to become prime ministers, though the King still had a lot of power. Nepal held its first general election in 1959. Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala became the first elected Prime Minister. But this democratic period was short-lived. King Mahendra took control in 1960 and set up a different system called the Panchayat system. Nepal did not have a fully democratic government again until 1990.

In 1990, a major public movement, known as the Jana Andolan, led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. This meant the King's power was limited by a constitution, and elected representatives governed the country. This period saw several changes in leadership.

The journey towards full democracy continued. In 2006, another big movement, the Loktantra Andolan, led to even greater changes. The monarchy was officially ended in 2008. Nepal was then declared a federal parliamentary republic. This meant the country would be led by an elected President and a Prime Minister. The current constitution was adopted in 2015, setting the framework for Nepal's modern government.

Understanding Nepal's Prime Ministers

The role of the Prime Minister in Nepal has a long and interesting history. It shows how the country's government has changed over many years. From powerful advisors to elected leaders, each era brought new ways of governing.

Early Leaders and Their Roles

In the very beginning of the Kingdom of Nepal, leaders were often called Kajis or Chautariyas. They worked closely with the King, helping to make important decisions. These early officials were usually from influential families. They played a big part in managing the country's affairs.

The Rise of Powerful Families

Over time, some families gained a lot of power. For example, the Rana family ruled Nepal for over a century, from 1846 to 1951. During this period, the Prime Minister's position was passed down within the Rana family. These Prime Ministers held immense power, often more than the King himself. They were also known by grand titles, showing their authority.

From Monarchy to Democracy

After the Rana era ended in 1951, Nepal began its journey towards democracy. This meant that ordinary citizens could become Prime Ministers. The country held its first general election in 1959. Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala became the first elected Prime Minister. However, this democratic period was interrupted by King Mahendra, who took control and established a different system called the Panchayat system. Nepal did not have a fully democratic government again until 1990.

In 1990, a major public movement, known as the Jana Andolan, led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. This meant the King's power was limited by a constitution, and elected representatives governed the country. This period saw several changes in leadership.

Nepal's Journey as a Republic

The journey towards full democracy continued. In 2006, another big movement, the Loktantra Andolan, led to even greater changes. The monarchy was officially ended in 2008. Nepal was then declared a federal parliamentary republic. This meant the country would be led by an elected President and a Prime Minister. The current constitution was adopted in 2015, setting the framework for Nepal's modern government.

Leaders of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (2008–Present)

No.		Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Election(s)	Political party	Cabinet	President (Term)
				Took office	Left office	Days
	33		Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Born 1954)	18 August 2008	25 May 2009	280 days	2008 (Constituent Assembly)	Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)	Dahal I	Ram Baran Yadav (2008–2015)
	34		Madhav Kumar Nepal (Born 1953)	25 May 2009	6 February 2011	1 year, 257 days		Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)	Nepal
	35		Jhala Nath Khanal (Born 1950)	6 February 2011	29 August 2011	204 days			Khanal
	36		Baburam Bhattarai (Born 1954)	29 August 2011	14 March 2013	1 year, 197 days		Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)	B. Bhattarai
	—		Khil Raj Regmi (Born 1949)	14 March 2013	11 February 2014	334 days	—	Independent	Regmi (Interim)
	37		Sushil Koirala (1939–2016)	11 February 2014	12 October 2015	1 year, 243 days	2013 (Constituent Assembly)	Nepali Congress	S. Koirala
	38		KP Sharma Oli (Born 1952)	12 October 2015	4 August 2016	297 days		Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)	Oli I
										Bidya Devi Bhandari (2015–2023)
	(33)		Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Born 1954)	4 August 2016	7 June 2017	307 days		Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)	Dahal II
	(32)		Sher Bahadur Deuba (Born 1946)	7 June 2017	15 February 2018	253 days		Nepali Congress	Deuba IV
	(38)		KP Sharma Oli (Born 1952)	15 February 2018	14 May 2021	3 years, 88 days	2017	Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)	Oli II
			KP Sharma Oli (Born 1952)	14 May 2021	13 July 2021	60 days			Oli III
	(32)		Sher Bahadur Deuba (Born 1946)	13 July 2021	26 December 2022	1 year, 166 days		Nepali Congress	Deuba V
	(33)		Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Born 1954)	26 December 2022	15 July 2024	1 year, 202 days	2022	Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)	Dahal III	Ram Chandra Poudel (2023–present)
	(38)		KP Sharma Oli (Born 1952)	15 July 2024	9 September 2025	1 year, 56 days		Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)	Oli IV
Vacant (9 – 12 September 2025)
	—		Sushila Karki (Born 1952)	12 September 2025	Incumbent	2 days	—	Independent	Karki (Interim)

Timeline of Prime Ministers

Images for kids

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  Vamsharaj Pande, an early leader.

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  An image is not available for this leader.

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  Abhiman Singh Basnyat, a Mulkaji.

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  Kirtiman Singh Basnyat, a powerful Mulkaji.

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  Damodar Pande, a key figure in early Nepal.

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  Rana Bahadur Shah, who created the Mukhtiyar position.

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  Bhimsen Thapa, a long-serving Mukhtiyar.

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  Rana Jang Pande, who served as Mukhtiyar.

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  Ranga Nath Poudyal, a Mukhtiyar.

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  Chautariya Puskhar Shah.

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  Fateh Jung Shah, who served as Mukhtiyar.

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  Mathabar Singh Thapa, the first to use the Prime Minister title.

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  Jung Bahadur Rana, the first Rana Prime Minister.

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  Bam Bahadur Kunwar, a Rana era Prime Minister.

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  Ranodip Singh Kunwar, a Rana Prime Minister.

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  Bir Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana.

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  Dev Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana.

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  Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana.

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  Bhim Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana.

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  Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana.

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  Padma Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana.

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  Mohan Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, the last Rana Prime Minister.

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  Matrika Prasad Koirala, a Prime Minister after the Rana era.

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  Tanka Prasad Acharya, a Prime Minister in the transition era.

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  Kunwar Indrajit Singh, a Prime Minister in the transition era.

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  Subarna Shamsher Rana, a Prime Minister in the transition era.

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  Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, Nepal's first elected Prime Minister.

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  Tulsi Giri, a Prime Minister during the Panchayat era.

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  Surya Bahadur Thapa, who served multiple terms.

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  Marich Man Singh Shrestha, a Prime Minister during the Panchayat era.

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  Lokendra Bahadur Chand, who served multiple terms.

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  Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, a Prime Minister during the constitutional monarchy.

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  Girija Prasad Koirala, who served multiple terms.

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  Man Mohan Adhikari, a Prime Minister during the constitutional monarchy.

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  Sher Bahadur Deuba, who served multiple terms.

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  Sher Bahadur Deuba, who served multiple terms.

See also

• King of Nepal
• President of Nepal
• Prime Minister of Nepal
• Government of Nepal