In a historic move that signals a shift toward youth representation, Nepal’s interim government has appointed 28-year-old Bablu Gupta as Minister of Youth and Sports, the youngest minister in the nation’s history.
Gupta was sworn in on Sunday alongside another cabinet member by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who leads the transitional administration formed after weeks of violent demonstrations toppled the previous government. The appointment appears to be a deliberate acknowledgment of the young people whose protests against corruption, inequality, and censorship reshaped the country’s political landscape.
A social activist and founder of a nonprofit that provides free education and housing for underprivileged students in Kathmandu, Gupta played a prominent role in the Gen Z-led demonstrations that erupted in early September. The protests began as a reaction to restrictions on social media but quickly evolved into a broader movement against political corruption and social injustice. Clashes between protesters and security forces left more than 70 people dead and forced former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.
Prime Minister Karki, who previously served as Nepal’s first female chief justice and enjoys strong public support, has pledged to form a lean, accountable government. With Gupta’s inclusion, the cabinet now counts 10 ministers, one short of Karki’s self-imposed limit of 11. Her administration faces the dual task of organizing general elections in March and ensuring justice for those killed during the protests.
For many young Nepalese, Gupta’s appointment represents more than a political gesture — it symbolizes a new chapter for a generation demanding transparency, opportunity, and a voice in the country’s future. As the interim government steers Nepal toward elections, the eyes of the nation’s youth remain fixed on whether this promise of change will translate into lasting reform.
