Socio-Political Upsurge, Gen-Z Protest and Social Transformation in Nepal

The 2025 Gen-Z protest in Nepal represents a landmark youth-led democratic movement that emerged from persistent governance failures, socio-economic inequalities, and the growing influence of digital activism. This study examines the underlying causes of the protest, its socio-political upsurge, and its contribution to social transformation in Nepal. The study guided by New Social Movement Theory which provides the analytical lens for examining the study variables by linking the triggering factors of the protest to youth political participation. The research employed a pragmatic mixed-methods approach integrating descriptive quantitative analysis with qualitative thematic interpretation. Primary data were collected from 264 respondents across all seven provinces of Nepal through a structured questionnaire administered using convenience sampling, while secondary evidence was drawn from academic literature, policy reports, and media sources. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to interpret the findings. The results reveal that corruption, lack of transparency, dissatisfaction with political leadership, unemployment, and social inequality were the perceived contributing factors of the protest, whereas the government's ban on social media served as the immediate catalyst. The protest significantly enhanced youth political consciousness, civic engagement, demand for government accountability, and participation in democratic processes, while intensifying public scrutiny of traditional political leadership. The findings further indicate that the protest initiated an emerging process of social transformation by strengthening democratic values, digital citizenship, and collective civic responsibility. However, its influence on inclusive governance and institutional reform remains gradual, suggesting that structural transformation is still evolving. The study concludes that the Gen-Z protest constitutes a transformative yet transitional phase in Nepal's democratic development, illustrating the growing capacity of digitally connected youth to reshape political discourse and civic participation. Its long-term significance depends on sustained youth engagement and the responsiveness of state institutions to demands for transparent, inclusive, and accountable governance.