List of prime ministers of Nepal

The position of the Prime Minister of Nepal in its modern form has been known by different names throughout Nepalese history. During the early period of the Shah dynasty, the Mulkajis (Chief Kajis) or Chautariyas served as prime ministers in a council consisting of 4 Chautariyas, 4 Kajis, and other officers. These Bharadars (state officers) were drawn from high caste and politically influential families such as the Pande, Basnyat, and Thapa families. The nobility of the Gorkha Kingdom was mainly composed of Chhetri and Brahmin families, who held a strong presence in civil administration.^[11]

In 1804, a single authoritative position of Mukhtiyar was created by Rana Bahadur Shah, which carried the executive powers of the nation.^[12] The Mukhtiyar held the position of head of the executive until the adoption of the title of Prime Minister in November 1843 by Mathabar Singh Thapa who became Mukhtiyar as well as the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Nepalese Army.^[13][14] During the Rana dynasty, the position of Prime Minister was hereditary and the officeholder held additional titles — Maharaja of Lamjung and Kaski, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Nepal and Grand Master of the Royal orders of Nepal.

After the 1950–1951 revolution, non-aristocratic citizens such as Matrika Prasad Koirala held the position of Prime Minister still under the authority of the King of Nepal. The first general election was held in 1959 and B. P. Koirala became the first elected Prime Minister of Nepal. However, he was deposed and imprisoned in the 1960 coup d'état by King Mahendra who went to established the Panchayat system and Nepal did not return to democratic government until 1990. After the Jana Andolan movement in 1990, the Kingdom of Nepal became a constitutional monarchy, and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai became the Interim Prime Minister. However, this was interrupted by the 2005 coup d'état by King Gyanendra. After the Loktantra Andolan movement in 2006, the monarchy was abolished on 28 May 2008 by the 1st Constituent Assembly and Nepal was declared a federal parliamentary republic. The current Constitution of Nepal was adopted on 20 September 2015, with KP Sharma Oli serving as the first prime minister under the new constitution.

Between 1776 and 1951, a total of 24 individuals served as heads of government in Nepal prior to the establishment of democracy. Of these, 20 were from the Chhetri community, including all 11 hereditary prime ministers of the Rana dynasty, as well as nine others from prominent aristocratic families such as the Pande, Basnyat, and Thapa clans. The remaining four comprised two Thakuri of royal lineage, Pushkar Shah and Fateh Jung Shah, one Khas Brahmin, Ranga Nath Poudyal, whose father and grandfather were also prominent courtiers, and one Magar, Sharbajit Rana Magar, who was considered to be the regent queen's right-hand man.

Since the end of the Rana regime and the introduction of democracy in 1951, a total of 25 individuals have held the office of Prime Minister. Of these, 24 have been men and one has been a woman. In terms of social background, 14 have been Khas Brahmin, 4 have been Khas Chhetri, 3 have been Khas Thakuri, 2 have been Newar, 1 have been Sanyasi/Dasnami, and 1 have been Madheshi.

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