Key Takeaways:

• Gen Z Martyrs Day declared public holiday in memory of those killed
• Movement began Sept 8, 2025, as protests against social media restrictions
• Expanded into youth-led challenge against corruption, nepotism, unemployment, inequality
• Government toppled Sept 8–9, transitional administration held March 5 election
• Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won sweeping victory
• Current PM Balendra Shah prioritises corruption control, accountability, reform and youth participation
• Ministries reduced to 18, saving Rs 20 billion annually
• Party-affiliated unions removed from offices and universities
• Digital public services expanded to reduce queues and improve access

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 8 A year after thousands of young Nepalis took to the streets demanding good governance and accountability, the country is observing Gen Z Martyrs Day, with the movement's core demands continuing to shape the political agenda. The government has declared a public holiday today in memory of those who lost their lives during the historic movement, which began on Sept 8 last year. What started as protests against restrictions on social media quickly developed into a broader youth-led challenge to governance, with demonstrators raising issues of corruption, nepotism, unemployment, inequality and lack of accountability. Thousands joined demonstrations in Kathmandu and other parts of the country, ultimately triggering a major political upheaval. The then government was toppled following the September 8–9 movement, leading to a transitional administration with a six-month mandate to conduct elections. The government led by Sushila Karki held the March 5 election, in which the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a sweeping victory. The present government, led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, has placed many of the issues raised by the Gen Z movement at the centre of its priorities: corruption control, political accountability, public-sector reform, employment creation, equal opportunity, transparency and youth participation in state affairs. Good governance has been linked to digital public services, with online platforms and mobile apps reducing queues for public services. The government has also reduced the number of federal ministries to 18, claiming annual savings of nearly Rs 20 billion, and scrapped or merged administrative structures to improve efficiency. Another significant measure has been the removal of party-affiliated trade unions and student unions from public offices and universities, aimed at limiting political interference and improving service delivery. As Nepal remembers those who died in the Gen Z movement, its first anniversary has brought the original demands back into focus, raising the question of how far the political transformation of the past year has translated into the good governance, accountability and opportunities that brought young people onto the streets in the first place.