Born in Kathmandu, Nepal
Gagan Thapa
गगन थापा
Also known as Gagan Kumar Thapa
President of the Nepali Congress and its 2026 prime ministerial candidate
Currently President, Nepali Congress
About
Gagan Thapa rose through the youth wing of the Nepali Congress, the party’s branch for young members. He became one of its most prominent young leaders. In 2008, he first entered the Constituent Assembly, the body that helped write Nepal’s constitution. He later served as Minister of Health and Population.
In January 2026, he was elected president of the party. He took over from longtime leader Sher Bahadur Deuba. He then campaigned as the party’s candidate for prime minister, calling for generational change in Nepali politics. This was Nepal’s first general election after the 2025 Gen Z protests.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1976-07-19
- Birthplace
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Profession
- Politician
- Current role
- President, Nepali Congress
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Alive
Current roles
President
Nepali Congress · since 2026-01-16
Previous roles
General Secretary
Nepali Congress · 2021-12-16–2026-01-14
Member of the House of Representatives
Federal Parliament of Nepal · 2018-03-04–2025-09-12
Minister of Health and Population
Government of Nepal · 2016-08-25–2017-05-31
Career & life timeline
- 1976
- 2008
First elected to the Constituent Assembly via proportional representation
- 2016
Appointed Minister of Health and Population
- 2018
Elected to the House of Representatives from Kathmandu 4
- 2026-01
Elected President of the Nepali Congress, succeeding Sher Bahadur Deuba
- 2026
Ran as the Nepali Congress's prime ministerial candidate in Nepal's first general election after the 2025 Gen Z protests
Organizations & affiliations
- Nepali Congress
Related people
Last updated: 2026-09-06