Balendra Shah, the 35-year-old structural engineer and hip-hop artist widely known as "Balen," was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal on Friday. The ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Sheetal Niwas, marks a generational shift in the Himalayan nation’s political landscape.
President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Shah following a landslide victory by his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in the March 5 general elections. The RSP secured an outright majority with 182 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives, effectively ending decades of dominance by legacy political parties.
Shah, who rose to prominence as an anti-establishment outsider during his tenure as the Mayor of Kathmandu, attended the ceremony in his signature dark sunglasses and a traditional Nepali topi. His appointment under Article 76(1) of the Constitution is the first time a single party has commanded such a mandate since the current charter was promulgated in 2015.
“I, Balendra Shah, in the name of the country and people, pledge that I will be loyal to the constitution and fulfill my duty as the prime minister,” Shah stated during the televised ceremony. The event was marked by traditional rituals, including the blowing of conch shells and Vedic recitations by 108 Batuks, symbolising a blend of modern youth leadership and cultural heritage.
The new Prime Minister is the first leader from the Madheshi community to hold the country’s top executive post. His ascent follows the "Gen Z" protests of late 2025, which toppled the previous administration amid widespread public frustration over corruption and economic stagnation.
International leaders were quick to respond to the transition. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his "warm congratulations" on social media, noting that the appointment reflects the trust reposed in Shah's leadership by the Nepali people. Beijing also pledged its support, with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating it would continue to back Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity under the new government.
Immediately following the oath, Shah finalised a 15-member cabinet that emphasises technical expertise. Among his first appointments was Swarnim Wagle, a Harvard-educated economist, who will serve as Finance Minister to address the nation’s pressing fiscal challenges.