Ex-Rapper Balendra Shah Takes Oath as Nepal’s Prime Minister, Becomes Youngest to Hold The Office
Balendra Shah, a former rapper who entered politics and quickly rose through its ranks, was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister on Friday, March 27. At 35, he is the youngest person to hold the country’s top executive office.
Shah’s party, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), won the largest electoral mandate in Nepal’s modern history. The vote came after a youth-led uprising toppled the previous government last year — the country’s first national election since then. Shah is also the first leader from the Madheshi community to become Prime Minister.
#WATCH | Kathmandu: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Balendra Shah takes oath as Prime Minister of Nepal
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2026
Video source: Nepal Television/YouTube pic.twitter.com/Th6NxTZWwm
Taking his oath, Shah said: “I, Balendra Shah, in the name of the country and people, pledge that I will be loyal to the constitution… and fulfil my duty as the prime minister.”
He arrived in all black, wearing his trademark dark sunglasses. President Ram Chandra Poudel administered the oath at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, in a ceremony that included Hindu priests chanting and red-robed Buddhist monks.
Modi extends congratulations
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to congratulate Shah, posting his message on X shortly after the swearing-in.
“Warm congratulations to Mr. Balendra Shah on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal,” Modi wrote. “Your appointment reflects the trust reposed in your leadership by the people of Nepal. I look forward to working closely with you to take India-Nepal friendship and cooperation to even greater heights for the mutual benefit of our two peoples.”