How did the 1990 Jana Andolan change Nepal's political system?

The 1990 Jana Andolan (People’s Movement) was a pivotal uprising that fundamentally transformed Nepal’s political landscape by ending the autocratic "partyless" system and establishing a constitutional monarchy with a multiparty parliamentary system.12

Key changes resulting from the movement included:

• Legalization of Parties: King Birendra lifted the long-standing ban on political parties, allowing them to operate openly.12
• New Constitution: A 1990 constitution was promulgated, which significantly reduced the monarch's authority. While the king remained head of state, effective executive power was transferred to a Council of Ministers led by a prime minister.12
• Legislative Structure: The system introduced a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Representatives (the lower house, with 205 popularly elected members) and the National Council (the upper house).2
• Democratic Elections: The reforms led to the 1991 general elections, which served as a strong public endorsement of the new democratic framework.1

These changes marked a transition toward representative governance, though the new system faced immediate challenges from economic stagnation and internal political fractionalization.1