Date: 24 November 2025
Nepal: The Gen Z Uprising of 2025
In September 2025, Nepal witnessed a historic Gen Z Uprising. Protests began against the government’s ban on social media and soon became a nationwide call for openness, accountability and reform in institutions. The uprising marked widespread discontent among Nepalese youth over the lack of employment, political exclusion, and corruption, reflecting a generation willing to reshape the nation’s democratic destiny.
The same reason behind the protests was the banning of 26 key social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, by the government. While authorities said there was non-adherence to rules, the majority of youth believed that this was an attempt to suppress freedom of expression. To Nepal’s Gen Z-young adults who rely on online mediums for education, job opportunities and civic participation, the ban struck at the heart of their daily lives and political identity.
In addition to the web crackdown, the protest was rejected by chronic frustrations: over 20 percent youth unemployment, lack of merit-based opportunities and political elitism triggered by viral posts exhibiting the luxuries of so-called “nepo-kids.” Economic pressure, including a rise in the cost of living and wholesale labor migration of over 830,000 Nepalis who went abroad for work in FY 2024/25, fed a perception of marginalization. These situations were also accompanied by concerns about the caretaker government and the credibility of the upcoming general elections, so citizens were pushed towards demanding reforms beyond the freedom of the virtual world.
The Gen Z Uprising was significant for its digitally coordinated and decentralized character. Activists used encrypted messaging apps, social media and other online alternative platforms to organize protests, share information, and mobilize support. Protests erupted in large cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, and Butwal, and were often accompanied by creative work such as murals, street performances, memes and music.
The protests featured record-level challenges and stakes. Over a two-day national uprising, brutal crackdowns, arrests and disinformation campaigns tested the endurance of young activists. Estimates indicate over 76 deaths and thousands hurt in confrontations with security personnel. The magnitude of the movement was such that various central government institutions, including executive offices, the legislature, and even courts were effectively disrupted, and some local offices were occupied by force or temporarily crippled by protest activity. Private property like government offices, business complexes and transport facilities also suffered heavy losses.
Despite the chaos and destruction, the incidents helped highlight the extreme seriousness and urgency of youth demands. The protest not only challenged established political power but also resulted in the collapse of the government and the dissolution of the House of Representatives, forcing the establishment of a caretaker administration. Here, the rebellion was more than an outcry, a categorical assertion of political authority by a generation unwilling to accept corruption, cronyism and being shut out of decisions.
At the same time, the rebellion pointed towards democratic renewal. It demonstrated the power of a digitally connected and civically engaged generation to be heard through government, propel policy debate, and take credit. The government then relaxed the social media ban and recognized the need for young people to be included in decision-making. In response to the unrest, a caretaker government was formed on 12th September 2025 headed by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female prime minister, to stabilize the country and pave the way for general elections that are being organized for 3rd March 2026.
Nepal’s Gen Z Revolution is a movement towards a new generation of civic engagement. It represents a shift from passive observation to active engagement where youth citizens assert their entitlement to influence governance, policy and democratic processes. Decentralized and leaderless though it is, the movement has ignited relentless activism, integrated demands for digital rights, meritocracy, and openness, and placed in the hands of young people the power of change. With sustained support and institutional support, this generation holds the potential to redefine Nepal’s democratic institutions and ensure that governance is aligned with the aspirations of its people.
Members of the YDC who contributed to this section:
Khimananda Devkota, General Secretary, Initiative for Civic Change Nepal (IFCC Nepal)
Pradip Khatiwada, Founder and Executive Director, Youth Innovation Lab, Nepal (YI-Lab Nepal)
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