PODS by PEI is a podcast initiative of Policy Entrepreneurs Inc., a policy research center based in Kathmandu, that examines the state of Nepali politics, economy, and development and seeks to inform and enrich Nepal’s policy discourse. Every week, PODS by PEI brings to you thoughtful and in-depth discussions that will take you deep into the most pertinent issues in Nepal.
Set Into Motion: A Revived Youth Civil Society in Post-Gen Z Nepal
8 September 2025 marked a defining rupture in Nepal's recent political history—a youth-led flash mobilization that challenged not only the state but also the very grammar of political participation. After suddenly finding themselves at the center of a political rupture—one that opened up unprecedented space to represent a broader public mandate—Nepali youth were thrust into roles they had little formal preparation or capital for.In this episode, Khushi Hang and Anusha Khanal sit down to reflect on their ongoing research, A Political Economy of Nepal's Youth Mobilization, unpacking what came after the protest. From personal motivations to structural shifts, Khushi and Anusha explore how "Gen Z" evolved from a social to a political group, optimizing informal resources to gain legitimacy. They discuss the factors that shaped Gen Z organizing, its strategies, successes, and limitations. 🕒 CHAPTERS:00:00 - Introduction: The 8 September Rupture03:10 - Why We Showed Up: Personal Motivations09:40 - The Rise of “Gen Z” as a Political Identity27:15 - From Mobilization to Organization36:50 - Inside Gen Z Groups: Networks, Trust, and Legitimacy47:30 - Doing Politics Differently: Horizontal Structures & Digital Space57:10 - Access, Inequality, and the Kathmandu-Centric Challenge01:05:40 - Post-Election Shift: Accountability and Civic Space01:15:20 - Funding, Trust, and the Risks of Institutionalization01:24:10 - Civil Society Across Generations01:32:00 - Final Reflections: What Has Actually Shifted?🎙️ THE PANEL:Khushi Hang Tenga: Researcher, Policy Entrepreneurs Inc. (PEI)Anusha Khanal: Researcher & Gen Z Activist🔗 CONNECT WITH PEI:Website: www.pei.centerX (Twitter): @tweet2PEILinkedIn: https://np.linkedin.com/company/policy-entrepreneurs-inc
24 Mar 2026
After the Verdict: How Might the Rastriya Swatantra Party Govern?
The 2026 "March 5th Verdict" has reset the Nepali political landscape. With the traditional establishment pushed aside, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) now holds a near two-thirds majority. But the real question is no longer about the win—it's about the work.
In this episode, Nirjan Rai (Principal Advisor, PEI) and Saumitra Neupane (Executive Director, PEI) sit down with writer and political analyst Bishnu Sapkota to unpack how the RSP might actually govern. We dive into:
The "Rainbow" Challenge: Can a party of diverse ideologies maintain a cohesive institutional vision?
The Balen Shah Factor: Is Nepal shifting toward a de facto presidential style of leadership?
A Revolt Within Democracy: Why 2026 is a historic departure from the movements of 1951, 1990, and 2006.
Governance vs. Populism: What does "Alternative Politics" look like in practice?
Connect with Policy Entrepreneurs Inc. (PEI):
Website: www.pei.center (https://www.pei.center)
X (Twitter): @tweet2PEI (https://www.google.com/search?q=https://twitter.com/tweet2PEI)
LinkedIn: Policy Entrepreneurs Inc. (https://np.linkedin.com/company/policy-entrepreneurs-inc)
16 Feb 2026
Beyond the Ballot Box: Alok Bohara on Nepal’s Gen Z Movement & Why Institutions Matter
In this episode of PODS by PEI, Professor Alok Bohara joins PEI's Nirjan Rai and Saumitra Neupane to look past the March 5th polling numbers and examine the systemic decay of Nepal’s democratic guardrails.
We dive deep into why Nepal’s institutions have collapsed three times since 1990 and how the current Gen Z movement is acting as a decentralized catalyst for institutional reform. From the "Extraction-Control Nexus" to the missing "Middle Corridor" of governance, this conversation is a masterclass in the structural reality of Nepali politics.
In this episode, we discuss:(00:00) Intro: Beyond the Ballot Box(04:30) The "Extraction-Control Nexus" explained(12:15) Why Nepal’s institutions lack "memory"(22:45) Gen Z as an "Emergent" force in 2026(35:10) Building the Middle Corridor for future stability(45:00) Closing: Reform vs. Elections
Follow Dr. Alok Bohara’s work:Read more on his Substack: Nepal Unplugged (https://nepalunplugged.substack.com/)
Stay Connected with PEI:
Website: pei.center (https://pei.center)
Twitter/X: @Tweet2PEI (https://twitter.com/Tweet2PEI)
Newsletter: Of Policies and Politics (https://www.google.com/search?q=https://pei.substack.com)
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Who has been a guest on PODS by PEI
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Samjhana Bista
Madhu Raman Acharya
Shiv Raj Bhatt
Kshitiz Dahal
Raj Gyawali
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
15 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
49
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
85
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