Prabhu Ram Sharma

General Prabhu Ram Sharma (born 5 January 1964), served as the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Nepali Army from 9 September 2021 to 8 September 2024. He took the oath of the office from the President of Nepal, Bidya Devi Bhandari on 9 September 2021. He succeeded General Purna Chandra Thapa.

He retired on 8 September 2024 at the age of 60, after completing his three-year term, four months prior to the mandatory retirement age of 61 for the Chief of the Army Staff of the Nepali Army, and was succeeded by General Ashok Raj Sigdel. During his tenure, he was also conferred the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army by the then President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.

Early life Prabhu Ram Sharma was born on 5 January 1964 in Sitapaila, Kathmandu, Nepal. He belongs to the Paudel clan. He comes from a common family background rather than an elite or aristocratic military family.

Education General Sharma holds a Master’s degree in History from Tribhuvan University in Nepal. He also earned a Master of Philosophy in Defense and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras in India. He was also awarded the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on 10 November 2021 during an official visit to New Delhi. This reciprocal honor reflects the long-standing military ties between Nepal and India, where such titles are traditionally exchanged between the army chiefs of both countries.