Gen Z Revolt 2025 and the Future of Democratic Renewal in Nepal

Abstract In September 2025, Nepal witnessed a historic youth-led uprising that culminated in the dissolution of parliament and the formation of an interim government. This article situates Nepal’s Gen Z revolt within broader global patterns of democratic fragility and discusses the structural weaknesses inherent to new democracies and the rising aspirations of digitally connected youth. Drawing on comparative experiences of democratic transition and elite capture, the paper argues that the 2025 uprising is symptomatic of governance failures rather than an isolated political rupture. The analysis critically engages with the risks of populism and authoritarian backsliding that often accompany moments of institutional instability, while also identifying pathways through which Nepal might revitalize its democratic foundations and restore public trust.