Nepal, a country in the Himalayas, has seen many political changes over the past seven decades. From monarchy to democracy and later the republican system, its journey has been marked by frequent leadership shifts. Since 1951, the office of the Prime Minister has been central to shaping Nepal’s politics. Many leaders have held this role, some for long terms and others for only brief periods, reflecting the nation’s evolving political landscape.
Sushila Karki is the current Prime Minister of Nepal, serving as interim leader since 12 September 2025 after the Gen Z protests. She is the first woman to head the Government of Nepal, making history in the country’s politics. Earlier, she served as the Chief Justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court (2016–2017), also as the first woman in that role, known for her integrity and strong stand against corruption.
The list of Prime Ministers of Nepal shows the country’s long political journey, from monarchy and partyless rule to democracy and a federal republic. Each leader reflects Nepal’s struggles, changes, and progress towards becoming a modern democratic nation.
This was the start of Nepal’s democratic journey after the Rana rule. Kings and political leaders both held power, and Nepal had its first elected prime minister during this period.
| S. No. | Name | Political Party | Took Office | Left Office |
| 1. | Matrika Prasad Koirala | Nepali Congress | 16 November 1951 | 14 August 1952 |
| 2. | Tribhuvan Bir Bikram | Direct Rule By King | 14 August 1952 | 15 June 1953 |
| 3. | Matrika Prasad Koirala | Rashtriya Praja Party | 15 June 1953 | 11 April 1955 |
| 4. | Surya Bahadur Thapa | Rashtriya Praja Party | 11 April 1955 | 14 April 1955 |
| 5. | Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah | Direct Rule By King | 14 April 1955 | 27 January 1956 |
| 6. | Tanka Prasad Acharya | Nepal Praja Parishad | 27 January 1956 | 26 July 1957 |
| 7. | Kunwar Inderjit Singh | United Democratic Party | 26 July 1957 | 15 May 1958 |
| 8. | Subarna Shamsher Rana | Nepali Congress | 15 May 1958 | 27 May 1959 |
| 9. | Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala | Nepali Congress | 27 May 1959 | 15 December 1960 |
King Mahendra banned political parties and introduced the Panchayat system. Prime ministers were chosen directly by the king, marking a long phase of absolute monarchy and limited democracy.
| S. No. | Name | Took Office | Left Office |
| 10. | Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah | 15 December 1960 | 2 April 1963 |
| 11. | Tulsi Giri | 2 April 1963 | 23 December 1963 |
| 12. | Surya Bahadur Thapa | 23 December 1963 | 26 February 1964 |
| 13. | Tulsi Giri | 26 February 1964 | 26 January 1965 |
| 14. | Surya Bahadur Thapa | 26 January 1965 | 7 April 1969 |
| 15. | Kirti Nidhi Bista | 7 April 1969 | 13 April 1970 |
| 16. | Gehendra Bahadur Rajbhandari | 13 April 1970 | 14 April 1971 |
| 17. | Kirti Nidhi Bista | 14 April 1971 | 16 July 1973 |
| 18. | Nagendra Prasad Rijal | 16 July 1973 | 1 December 1975 |
| 19. | Tulsi Giri | 1 December 1975 | 12 September 1977 |
| 20. | Kirti Nidhi Bista | 12 September 1977 | 30 May 1979 |
| 21. | Surya bahadur Thapa | 30 May 1979 | 12 July 1983 |
| 22. | Lokendra Bahadur Chand | 12 July 1983 | 21 March 1986 |
| 23. | Nagendra Prasad Rijal | 21 March 1986 | 15 June 1986 |
| 24. | Marich Man Singh Shrestha | 15 June 1986 | 6 April 1990 |
| 25. | Lokendra Bahadur Chand | 6 April 1990 | 19 April 1990 |
After a democratic movement, political parties returned and the monarchy’s power was reduced. Prime ministers were elected, but the king still held significant authority, leading to frequent political instability.
| S. No. | Name | Political Party | Took Office | Left Office |
| 26. | Krishna Prasad Bhattarai | Nepali Congress | 6 April 1990 | 26 May 1991 |
| 27. | Girija Prasad Koirala | Nepali Congress | 26 May 1991 | 30 November 1994 |
| 28. | Man Mohan Adhikari | Communist Party of Nepal | 30 November 1994 | 12 September 1995 |
| 29. | Sher Bahadur Deuba | Nepali Congress | 12 September 1995 | 12 March 1997 |
| 30. | Lokendra Bahadur Chand | Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Chand) | 12 March 1997 | 7 October 1997 |
| 31. | Surya Bahadur Thapa | Rastriya Prajatantra Party | 7 October 1997 | 15 April 1998 |
| 32. | Girija Prasad Koirala | Nepali Congress | 15 April 1998 | 31 May 1999 |
| 33. | Krishna Prasad Bhattarai | Nepali Congress | 31 May 1999 | 22 March 2000 |
| 34. | Girija Prasad Koirala | Nepali Congress | 22 March 2000 | 26 July 2001 |
| 35. | Sher Bahadur Debua | Nepali Congress | 26 July 2001 | 4 October 2002 |
| 36. | Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah | – | 4 October 2002 | 11 October 2002 |
| 37. | Lokendra Bahadur Chand | Rashtriya Prajatantra Party | 11 October 2002 | 5 June 2003 |
| 38. | Surya Bahadur Thapa | Rashtriya Prajatantra Party | 5 June 2003 | 3 June 2004 |
| 39. | Sher Bahadur Debua | Nepali Congress | 3 June 2004 | 1 February 2005 |
| 40. | Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah | – | 1 February 2005 | 25 April 2006 |
| 41. | Girija Prasad Koirala | Nepali Congress | 25 April 2006 | 28 May 2008 |
In 2008, Nepal abolished the monarchy and became a republic. Now, the prime minister is the true head of government, elected by parliament, reflecting Nepal’s democratic spirit and political transformation.
| S. No. | Name | Political Party | Took Office | Left Office |
| 42. | Girija Prasad Koirala | Nepali Congress | 28 May 2008 | 18 August 2008 |
| 43. | Pushpa Kamal Dahal | Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) | 18 August 2008 | 25 May 2009 |
| 44. | Madhav Kumar Nepal | Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) | 25 May 2009 | 6 February 2011 |
| 45. | Jhala Nath Khanal | Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) | 6 February 2011 | 29 August 2011 |
| 46. | Baburam Bhattarai | Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) | 29 August 2011 | 14 March 2013 |
| 47. | Khil Raj Regmi | Independent | 14 March 2013 | 11 February 2014 |
| 48. | Sushil Koirala | Nepali Congress | 11 February 2014 | 12 October 2015 |
| 49. | KP Sharma Oli | Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) | 12 October 2015 | 4 August 2016 |
| 50. | Pushpa Kamal Dahal | Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) | 4 August 2016 | 7 June 2017 |
| 51. | Sher Bahadur Debua | Nepali Congress | 7 June 2017 | 15 February 2018 |
| 52. | KP Sharma Oli | Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) | 15 February 2018 | 13 May 2021 |
| 53. | KP Sharma Oli | Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) | 13 May 2021 | 13 July 2021 |
| 54. | Sher Bahadur Debua | Nepal Congress | 13 July 2021 | 26 December 2022 |
| 55. | Pushpa Kamal Dahal | Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) | 26 December 2022 | 15 July, 2024 |
| 56. | KP Sharma Oli | Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) | 15 July 2024 | 9 September, 2025 |
| 57. | Sushila Karki | – | September 2025 | – |
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