- Saturday, 28 March 2026
Kathmandu, March 27: Newly appointed Prime Minister Balendra Shah has taken the oath of office and secrecy before President Ramchandra Paudel.
At a special programme organised at the Office of the President today, President Paudel administered oath to the newly elected PM Shah.
President Paudel had appointed Shah to the post of the Prime Minister in accordance with Article 76 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal this morning.
Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, former prime ministers, chiefs of constitutional bodies, high-ranking officials of the government, chiefs of security bodies and office-bearers of different diplomatic missions were present in the swearing-in ceremony.
For the first time in the country the Prime Minister’s swearing-in ceremony was conducted reflecting the Vedic-Sanatan tradition.
During the ceremony, along with the blowing of seven conch shells, 108 batuks recited mantras for the well-being and peace, and 108 Buddhist monks led auspicious readings. On Thursday, the RSP senior leader Shah was unanimously elected as the leader of the RSP parliamentary party.
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Composition of the 15-member Council of Ministers
A 15-member Council of Ministers has been formed under the leadership of newly appointed Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers at a special ceremony held at the President’s Office today in the presence of the newly appointed Prime Minister Shah.
On the occasion, Dr Swarnim Wagle took oath as the Minister for Finance, Sudhan Gurung as the Minister for Home Affairs, Shishir Khanal as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sunil Lamsal as the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha as the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Khadga Raj Poudel as the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Sasmit Pokharel as the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, and Sports.
Similarly, Nisha Mehata took oath as the Minister for Health and Population, and Water Supply; Dr Bikram Timilsina as the Minister for Communications and Information Technology; Pratibha Rawal as the Minister for General Administration and Land Management, and Poverty Alleviation; Shobita Gautam as the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Geeta Chaudhary as the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Forests and Environment; Dr Deepak Shah as the Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security; and Sita Badi as the Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has kept the portfolio of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to himself for now.
President Paudel appointed Shah, the leader of the parliamentary party of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), as the Prime Minister today morning as per Article 76 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal.
Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, former prime ministers, chiefs of constitutional bodies, high-ranking officials of the government, chiefs of security bodies and office-bearers of different diplomatic missions were present in the swearing-in ceremony.
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Celebration erupts at Ekdara, PM Balendra Shah’s ancestral village
Mahottari: Following the appointment of Balendra Shah as the Prime Minister today, celebrations have started at his ancestral village here at Ekdara. People are celebrating the occasion with joy by organizing various events.
Chairperson of Ekdara rural municipality in Mahottari district, Dip Narayan Mandal, said not only the folks of Ekdara rural municipality-1, the entire district is celebrating this moment, exchanging joy after Shah’s appointment to the post of the Prime Minister.
The locals are exchanging best wishes and congratulating each other, showering colours, vermilion powder and garlanding as well as hugging each other, shared Chairperson of Ekdara-1, Manoj Mandal.
Mandal mentioned, “The name of Ekdara has been registered in the history today. So, Ekdara folks are celebrating this moment by cooking delicious foods, offering foods to people, distributing sweets—laddu and peda.
The ancestral house of Prime Minister Shah is located at Ekdara-1. Now the office of Ekdara rural municipality is in operation from this house.
A programme has been set to illuminate every house of Ekdara this evening, he added. —
