Kathmandu

Balendra Shah, popularly known as “Balen”, was sworn in as the 47th Prime Minister of Nepal at a special ceremony on Friday.

The oath of office and secrecy was administered by President Ramchandra Paudel at the Presidential Office, following Shah’s appointment under constitutional provisions. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, senior political leaders, security officials, and members of the diplomatic community.

At 35, Shah is among the youngest leaders to assume the country’s top executive office. His rise marks a significant shift in Nepal’s political landscape.

A trained structural engineer and former rapper, Shah first gained national prominence in 2022 when he contested and won the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate, defeating established party figures with a decisive margin.

Earlier this week, he was also sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives, following the recent parliamentary elections.

The new Parliament convened its first session on Thursday after elections held earlier this month. The previous House had been dissolved in September 2025 amid widespread protests.

In the latest election results, the Rastriya Swatantra Party emerged as the largest party, securing a commanding position in the 275-member House of Representatives. Other parties, including the Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (UML), trailed behind.

Nepal’s lower house comprises 275 members, elected through a mixed system combining First-Past-the-Post and Proportional Representation.

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Shah’s elevation from a political outsider to Prime Minister within a few years reflects a broader shift towards alternative leadership in Nepal’s evolving democratic landscape.