# Bidya Devi Bhandari

_President of Nepal_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/bidya-devi-bhandari
Last updated: 2026-10-07

> Bidya Devi Bhandari is a Nepali former politician who served as the second president of Nepal from 2015 to 2023. She formerly served as the minister of defence and minister of environment and population.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 19 June 1961 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Mane Bhanjyang ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958#P19))
- **Citizenship:** Nepal ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958#P106))
- **Political party:** Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist); Communist Party of Nepal ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958#P102))
- **Education:** Tribhuvan University ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958#P69))
- **Spouse:** Madan Kumar Bhandari ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958#P26))
- **Official website:** presidentofnepal.gov.np ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958#P856))
- **Positions held:** President of Nepal (29 October 2015 – 12 March 2023); Ministry of Defence (25 May 2009 – 6 February 2011) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958#P39))

## Public office

- [President](https://diginpl.com/next/explore/office/president) (29 October 2015 – 12 March 2023)
- Officeholder record: https://diginpl.com/next/explore/person/bidya-devi-bhandari

## Early life and education

- Bhandari was born on 19 June 1961 in Mane Bhanjyang, Bhojpur, to Ram Bahadur Pandey and Mithila Pandey. ([Setopati](http://setopati.net/politics/9955/Nepal-gets-first-female-head-of-state/))
- She joined the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist–Leninist) in 1980. ([India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/who-is-what-is/story/who-is-bidya-devi-bhandari-what-are-the-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-her-270285-2015-10-28))
- She is also related to Nepali Congress leader Gyanendra Bahadur Karki. ([One Click Nepal](http://oneclicknepal.com/first-female-president-of-nepal/))
- During the 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests her house in Bhangal, Kathmandu was burned down by a mob of protesters. ([onlinekhabar.com](https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2025/09/1760842/genji-protesters-burn-down-former-president-bhandaris-house))

## Career

- According to the details provided by the CPN (UML), Bhandari joined politics as an activist of the Youth League of CPN (ML) in 1978, from Bhojpur. ([India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/who-is-what-is/story/who-is-bidya-devi-bhandari-what-are-the-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-her-270285-2015-10-28))
- In the 1994 general election, she was elected from Kathmandu–2, defeating house speaker Daman Nath Dhungana. ([One Click Nepal](http://oneclicknepal.com/first-female-president-of-nepal/))
- Her influence in the party remained dominant when she was elected as vice-chairperson of the CPN (UML) in its eighth general convention held in Butwal. ([My Republica News](http://admin.myrepublica.com/feature-article/story/30239/voting-for-presidential-poll-kicks-off.html))
- Bhandari renewed her membership in the CPN (UML) and re-entered active politics in July 2025. ([The Kathmandu Post](https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2025/07/25/former-president-bhandari-defends-political-comeback-after-uml-bars-her-return?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- She was appointed as senior leader of CPN (UML) in September 2026. ([Setopati](https://en.setopati.com/political/167313/))

## Controversies and criticism

- She also held the nomination of three members to National Assembly sent by the outgoing Deuba government but immediately approved the nominations sent in by the incoming Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. ([Nepali Times](https://www.nepalitimes.com/uncategorized/president-bhandari-again/))
- Bhandari passed the ordinance brought for citizenship brought upon by KP Sharma Oli government which was finally denied by Supreme Court to be a matter requiring discussion in parliament. ([OnlineKhabar](https://english.onlinekhabar.com/govt-issues-citizenship-ordinance-to-spark-another-controversy.html), [The Kathmandu Post](https://kathmandupost.com/national/2021/05/24/oli-attempts-to-use-citizenship-ordinance-for-his-political-gains))
- After it came being approved by majority from parliament by Deuba cabinet it was denied by her. ([The Kathmandu Post](https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/08/14/president-sends-bill-to-amend-citizenship-act-back-to-parliament-for-review))
- The decision was challenged by the Supreme Court of Nepal, along with signature of majority (146) MPs. ([Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/nepal-sc-orders-to-appoint-sher-bahadur-deuba-as-pm-within-next-28-hours-101626077841170.html))
- On 12 July 2021, the Supreme Court stated the decision of parliament dissolution by Bhandari was unlawful. ([RatoPati](https://ratopati.com/story/189446/2021/7/12/suprem-court))
- This was celebrated by the then opposition alliance led by the Nepali Congress, including allies CPN (Maoist Centre) and Janata Samajbadi Party. ([The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/nepals-supreme-court-reinstates-dissolved-house-of-representatives/articleshow/84338530.cms))

_Cited sentences quoted from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bidya_Devi_Bhandari&oldid=1377864298), CC BY-SA 4.0._

## Questions

**When was Bidya Devi Bhandari born?**  
Bidya Devi Bhandari was born on 19 June 1961 in Mane Bhanjyang.

**What positions has Bidya Devi Bhandari held?**  
Positions held by Bidya Devi Bhandari include: President of Nepal (2015–2023); Ministry of Defence (2009–2011).

**Where did Bidya Devi Bhandari study?**  
Bidya Devi Bhandari was educated at Tribhuvan University.

## Related

- [Ram Baran Yadav](https://diginpl.com/people/ram-baran-yadav)
- [Girija Prasad Koirala](https://diginpl.com/people/girija-prasad-koirala)
- [Ram Chandra Paudel](https://diginpl.com/people/ram-chandra-paudel)
- [Madan Bhandari](https://diginpl.com/people/madan-bhandari)
- [Tribhuvan University](https://diginpl.com/places/tribhuvan-university)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Bidya Devi Bhandari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidya_Devi_Bhandari) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikipedia (Nepali): विद्यादेवी भण्डारी](https://ne.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q16193958](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193958) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Her Excellency The Right Honourable Bidya Devi Bhandari विद्यादेवी भण्डारी संघीय संसद भवनमा 4 (far crop).jpg by Gunjan Raj Giri (CC BY-SA 4.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Her_Excellency_The_Right_Honourable_Bidya_Devi_Bhandari_%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%98%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A6_%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE_4_(far_crop).jpg)
- [Wikipedia (English), revision used for cited facts: Bidya Devi Bhandari](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bidya_Devi_Bhandari&oldid=1377864298) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Setopati: Nepal gets first female head of state (October 28, 2015)](http://setopati.net/politics/9955/Nepal-gets-first-female-head-of-state/)
- [India Today: Who is Bidya Devi Bhandari? What are the 10 things you need to know about her? (Nov 24, 2015)](https://www.indiatoday.in/who-is-what-is/story/who-is-bidya-devi-bhandari-what-are-the-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-her-270285-2015-10-28)
- [One Click Nepal: First female president of Nepal (2015-10-26)](http://oneclicknepal.com/first-female-president-of-nepal/)
- [onlinekhabar.com: जेनजी प्रदर्शनकारीले जलाए पूर्वराष्ट्रपति भण्डारीको घर (9 September 2025)](https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2025/09/1760842/genji-protesters-burn-down-former-president-bhandaris-house)
- [My Republica News: Bidhya Devi Bhandari elected first female president (28 Oct 2015)](http://admin.myrepublica.com/feature-article/story/30239/voting-for-presidential-poll-kicks-off.html)
- [The Kathmandu Post: Former President Bhandari defends political comeback after UML bars her return (July 25, 2025)](https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2025/07/25/former-president-bhandari-defends-political-comeback-after-uml-bars-her-return?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Setopati: UML names Bidya Bhandari senior leader, but what powers does the post actually give her? (Sep 30, 2026)](https://en.setopati.com/political/167313/)
- [Nepali Times: President Bhandari again (13 March 2018)](https://www.nepalitimes.com/uncategorized/president-bhandari-again/)
- [OnlineKhabar: Govt issues citizenship ordinance to spark another controversy (2021-05-23)](https://english.onlinekhabar.com/govt-issues-citizenship-ordinance-to-spark-another-controversy.html)
- [The Kathmandu Post: Oli attempts to use citizenship ordinance for his political gains (May 24, 2021)](https://kathmandupost.com/national/2021/05/24/oli-attempts-to-use-citizenship-ordinance-for-his-political-gains)
- [The Kathmandu Post: President sends bill to amend Citizenship Act back to Parliament for review (August 14, 2022)](https://kathmandupost.com/national/2022/08/14/president-sends-bill-to-amend-citizenship-act-back-to-parliament-for-review)
- [Hindustan Times: Nepal SC orders to appoint Sher Bahadur Deuba as PM within next 28 hours (2021-07-12)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/nepal-sc-orders-to-appoint-sher-bahadur-deuba-as-pm-within-next-28-hours-101626077841170.html)
- [RatoPati: संवैधानिक इजलासले भन्यो- राष्ट्रपतिको निर्णय संविधान र ऐन प्रतिकुल (28 July 2021)](https://ratopati.com/story/189446/2021/7/12/suprem-court)
- [The Times of India: Sher Bahadur Deuba: Nepal's Supreme Court orders appointment of Sher Bahadur Deuba as Prime Minister (12 July 2021)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/nepals-supreme-court-reinstates-dissolved-house-of-representatives/articleshow/84338530.cms)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Bidya Devi Bhandari, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Her Excellency The Right Honourable Bidya Devi Bhandari विद्यादेवी भण्डारी संघीय संसद भवनमा 4 (far crop).jpg — Gunjan Raj Giri, CC BY-SA 4.0.

## Cite this page

"Bidya Devi Bhandari". DigiNepal. Last updated 7 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/bidya-devi-bhandari. Retrieved 21 October 2026.