Nepal’s 35-year-old leader Balendra Shah takes oath as Prime Minister after a landslide win, marking a major political shift driven by youth, protests, and a demand for reform and accountability
Kathmandu: Balendra Shah, also known as Balen, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-structural engineer and former Mayor of Kathmandu, was sworn in today as Nepal’s 47th Prime Minister. President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Shah and his ministers at exactly 12:34 pm at Sheetal Niwas. The time was chosen for its astrological importance on the occasion of Ram Navami. The ceremony was simple but traditional, with seven conch shells being blown, 108 Hindu priests chanting Vedic mantras, and Buddhist monks reciting prayers. Shah is expected to officially take charge at Singha Durbar at 2:15 pm.
This marks Nepal’s first single-party government since the 2015 Constitution. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by Shah in Parliament, won a massive victory in the March 5 elections, securing 182 out of 275 seats. This includes 125 seats through direct elections and 57 through proportional representation.
The Oath Ceremony: Tradition with Change
The swearing-in followed official procedures but also carried strong symbolic meaning. No foreign guests were invited, keeping the focus on Nepal. Those present included political leaders, diplomats based in Kathmandu, civil society members, and senior officials. Shah was officially appointed Prime Minister earlier in the day under Article 76(1) after the RSP chose him as its parliamentary leader on March 26.
The timing of the ceremony—12:34 pm and later 2:15 pm—was carefully selected by priests for good fortune. The rituals included both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, showing Nepal’s cultural diversity. Soon after taking oath, Shah and his cabinet began their work.
One RSP leader, Amresh Singh, refused a ministerial post. The party has been discussing forming a smaller cabinet, possibly reducing the number of ministries from 25.
Balen Shah’s Journey to Power
Balendra Shah was born on April 27, 1990, in Kathmandu to a Maithili Madheshi family originally from Mahottari. His father, Ram Narayan Shah, is an Ayurvedic doctor, and his mother is Dhruvadevi Shah. He studied civil engineering in Nepal and completed his master’s degree in structural engineering in Bengaluru, India. He also received a fellowship for PhD research on preserving Newa heritage structures.
Before politics, Shah became popular in Nepal’s hip-hop scene in the early 2010s. His 2012 song “Sadak Balak” highlighted the struggles of city youth, while songs like “Balidan” criticised political corruption. He also took part in the Raw Barz rap battle series, which helped him gain popularity among young people.
In May 2022, he contested as an independent candidate and won the Kathmandu mayoral election with 61,767 votes, defeating candidates from major parties. He took oath on May 30, 2022, becoming the first independent mayor of the capital. Then he served until January 18, 2026, before resigning to contest national elections. He joined the RSP on December 28, 2025.
The 2026 Elections and Protests
The RSP’s big win came after major protests in September 2025 led by young people. These protests started against a social media ban but soon turned into a larger movement against corruption. The protests forced the resignation of the government led by former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli.
The unrest caused serious damage, with reports of 19 to 77 deaths and over 2,100 injuries. An interim government was formed afterward. Shah supported the protests but also asked for peace and talks. He played a role in helping form the interim setup.
In the March 5, 2026 elections, voters—especially young people—strongly supported the RSP. Traditional parties lost heavily, with the Nepali Congress winning around 38 seats and CPN-UML about 25. Shah himself won from Jhapa-5 by a huge margin, defeating K.P. Sharma Oli with 68,348 votes to 18,734. On March 26, he took oath as an MP and released a rap song calling for unity.
His Record as Kathmandu Mayor
During his time as mayor, Shah introduced several changes. He worked on improving waste management, clearing garbage, managing traffic, introducing digital systems for building approvals, and live-streaming city meetings for transparency. He also focused on infrastructure and heritage conservation.
However, some of his actions were criticised. The city demolished illegal structures after issuing notices, which led to complaints about lack of consultation. Efforts to remove settlements near the Bagmati River and control street vendors caused clashes. One eviction drive in November 2022 injured more than 20 people. Activists also criticised how street vendors were treated. His direct and sometimes harsh statements on social media also created controversy.
What This Means for Nepal
At 35, Shah is Nepal’s youngest Prime Minister and the first from a Madheshi background. His rise shows a major change in the country’s politics, driven by young people who are unhappy with traditional leaders and corruption. The RSP has promised reforms, job creation, and better governance.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shah and said he looks forward to working with him to strengthen ties between India and Nepal.
As Shah moves from being a rapper and mayor to leading the country, Nepal is entering a new phase. The ceremony is over, and now the work of running the government has officially begun. For many young Nepalis, this is not just a new Prime Minister—it is a sign of a new generation taking power.
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Hi! I’m Mansi Sharma, 22, a fearless journalist who turns lifestyle, health, and political trends into bold, unforgettable narratives. I don’t just report — I make every story sizzle, spark, and stick.