Sita Badi was born in 1995 in Jhuprakhola, ward 11 of Birendranagar Municipality in Surkhet district, in the Karnali Province of Nepal. She comes from the Badi community, one of Nepal's most marginalized Dalit groups, and experienced poverty, caste-based discrimination, and social exclusion throughout her childhood. Her parents are Gopal Badi and Parbati Badi.
Badi pursued higher education despite systemic barriers, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Puspalal Memorial College and a Master's degree in political science, becoming the first woman from the Badi community to earn a master's degree in higher education. Before her political career, she was deeply engaged in social work and community development, supporting children from underprivileged communities in accessing education, providing vocational training to women (particularly in sewing), and launching a handicraft enterprise in Chunikhel on Kathmandu's outskirts to create employment opportunities.
In the 2026 general election, Badi was elected to Nepal's Pratinidhi Sabha (Parliament) through the proportional representation system, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party under the Dalit women cluster. On March 27, 2026, she became Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens under Prime Minister Balendra Shah—making her the first person from the Badi community to serve as a federal cabinet minister in Nepal and the first Dalit woman to hold a full cabinet position. In May 2026, her portfolio expanded to include Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security. Badi is married to Suresh Purkuti and currently resides in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu.
Sources
- 1.Sita Badi - Wikipedia — WikipediaWikipedia article on Sita Badi; confirms birth year 1995, education from Puspalal Memorial College, marriage to Suresh Purkuti, and first minister from Badi community
- 2.Looking after the welfare of the most vulnerable — Kathmandu PostKathmandu Post profile; provides details on birth location (Jhuprakhola, Birendranagar, Surkhet), parents (Gopal Badi and Parbati Badi), Master's degree in political science, and prior social work experience
- 3.Sita Badi becomes first minister from Badi community — KhabarhubKhabarhub profile; notes Bachelor's degree in Social Work, current residence in Budhanilkantha-8 Kathmandu, and women's empowerment work including sewing training
- 4.Sita Badi becomes the first parliamentarian and first cabinet minister of Nepal from Badi community — Nepal Dalit InfoNepal Dalit Info; confirms marriage to Suresh Purkoti, status as first woman with Master's degree from Badi community, and historic significance of appointment under PM Balendra Shah