Balendra Shah
वालेन्द्र शाह
Official portrait, 2026
Prime Minister of Nepal
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 March 2026
President	Ram Chandra Paudel
Preceded by	Sushila Karki (interim)
Additional ministries Incumbent Assumed office 27 March 2026 Ministries and Departments Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Minister of Defence Ministry of Home Affairs Preceded by Sushila Karki
Member of the House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 March 2026
Preceded by	K. P. Sharma Oli
Constituency	Jhapa 5
Mayor of Kathmandu
In office 30 May 2022 – 18 January 2026
Deputy	Sunita Dangol
Preceded by	Bidya Sundar Shakya
Succeeded by	Sunita Dangol (acting)
Personal details
Born	Balendra Shah (1990-04-27) 27 April 1990 (age 36) Kathmandu, Nepal
Party	Rastriya Swatantra Party (since 2025)
Other political affiliations	Independent (2022–2025)
Spouse	Sabina Kafle ​ (m. 2018)​
Children	1
Parents	Dr. Ram Narayan Shah (father) Dhruva Devi Shah (mother)
Alma mater	Himalayan WhiteHouse (BE) NITTE (M.Tech)
Profession	Politician rapper structural engineer
Signature
Nickname	Balen

Balendra Shah^[a] (born 27 April 1990), popularly known as Balen,^[b] is a Nepalese politician, structural engineer, and rapper who has been serving as the Prime Minister of Nepal since 2026. He assumed the office following his party's landslide victory in the 2026 general election. At age 36, he is the world's youngest serving state leader. He previously served as the 15th Mayor of Kathmandu from 2022 to 2026, the first independent candidate to hold the position.

In the 2022 local election, Shah was elected mayor of Kathmandu. During his tenure, he introduced initiatives in waste management and traffic management. His administration also faced criticism and controversy over issues such as the demolition of illegally constructed structures, the handling of squatter settlements, and enforcement actions against street vendors.

Shah emerged as a prominent political figure during the 2025 Gen Z protests. In January 2026, he resigned as mayor of Kathmandu and joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to contest the 2026 general election as the party's prime ministerial candidate. He defeated former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli in Jhapa 5 by a landslide, leading his party to a historic majority victory.

Balendra Shah was born on 27 April 1990 in the Naradevi neighborhood of Kathmandu, into a Maithili family. He is the youngest of three siblings: his eldest sister, Sujata Shah Sejekan is a painter, and his elder brother, Kaushal Shah is a chartered accountant. His late father, Dr. Ram Narayan Shah was an Ayurvedic practitioner, while his mother, Dhruva Devi Shah is a homemaker hailing from Dhanusha District.^[1][2] His parents had moved to Kathmandu from Ekdara, Mahottari District, after his father was posted to Naradevi Ayurvedic Hospital.^[3][4][5]

Shah studied at Alliance Academy, where he completed his School Leaving Certificate (SLC). He then attended V.S. Niketan Higher Secondary School for his 10+2 education. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in civil engineering from Himalayan WhiteHouse International College^[6] followed by a Master of Engineering in structural engineering from NITTE University, India.^[7] Shah was later awarded a research fellowship for his PhD studies in civil engineering from Kathmandu University on the topic "Conservation of Newa heritage structures to promote tourism and economy."^[8][9][10]

Shah has been involved in Nepal's hip-hop scene since the early 2010s.^[11][12] He released his first single, "Sadak Balak" in 2012, that he had written back in the ninth grade, a track that reflected the hardships of urban youth and marked his entry into the Nephop (Nepali hip-hop) community.^[13] His visibility grew in 2013 when he participated in the YouTube battle rap series Raw Barz, gaining recognition within Nepal's underground hip-hop community.^[13]

Shah's music has been noted for its socially conscious themes, addressing issues such as corruption, inequality, and urban life in Nepal. A notable track is "Balidan" ('Sacrifice'), which critiqued political corruption and connected with younger audiences, becoming widely known through online platforms and contributing to his public profile ahead of his political career.^[14]

In 2025, Shah performed the song "Nepal Haseko..." for the soundtrack of the Nepali film Laaj Sharanam. The track, which he wrote, composed, and performed, was originally released on his YouTube channel and was reissued for the film's promotion. It quickly entered the YouTube trending music charts following its second release.^[15][16]

Balen Shah had been mulling over his plans for candidacy since 2020 and on 17 December 2021 announced that he would be running for the mayoral race as an independent candidate through his Facebook Page.^[17][6] His campaign focused on waste management, road traffic control, public service delivery, anti-corruption, transparency, accountability and preservation of cultural heritage of the city.^{[9][18][19][20][12]}

Shah was elected on 26 May 2022, winning 38.6% of the votes cast. He defeated Nepali Congress candidate Sirjana Shrestha and former mayor and CPN (UML) candidate Keshav Sthapit by a margin of over 23,000 votes.^[21][22][23]

Shah was sworn in as mayor on 30 May 2022 and administered the oath of office to other members of the municipal assembly elected at the elections.^[24]

The main target audience for his campaign was the Newar community of Kathmandu. He appeared on various podcasts and shows and persuaded the audience to vote for him.^[22][23]

Shah's rise as a political figure is widely regarded as a continuation of the spirit of alternative politics pioneered by the late Ujwal Thapa, founder of the Bibeksheel Nepali party. Thapa, who died in June 2021 from complications related to COVID-19, had spent years building a movement that challenged Nepal's entrenched political establishment, motivated youths to enter civic life, and campaigned against corruption and social injustice.^[25] When Shah entered the 2022 mayoral race, several veterans of the Bibeksheel movement joined his campaign.^[26]

On 6 June 2022, an agreement was reached between the Ministry of Urban Development and the newly elected representatives to commence garbage disposal from 7 June and on 18 August 2022, following a four-point agreement between the locals and government officials, Shah directed private companies to handle the disposal of all uncollected solid waste.^[27]

Under Shah's administration, investments in street accessibility and cleanliness were implemented, with tactile pavements installed to allow citizens with visual impairments to navigate the city more freely. Falcha-style bus stops which are structures inspired by traditional Newari resting places were constructed across the city.^[28] New bus routes were introduced, bus stops were upgraded, and a smart ticketing system was implemented to provide a more reliable travel experience for commuters.^[29]

As one of his first acts upon taking office, Shah introduced live telecasts of municipal council meetings — the first time such proceedings were broadcast publicly in Kathmandu's history.^[30] His administration also introduced an online building permit system and implemented digital signatures to enhance efficiency and reduce opportunities for corruption.^[31]

Shah launched the "Textbook-Free Friday" programme in community schools to help students develop technical skills and engage in extracurricular activities. He also directed private schools in Kathmandu to provide scholarships to at least 10% of students, in line with existing education legislation.^[32]

Shah's administration committed Rs 90 million to establish modern operating theatres at Kanti Children's Hospital, improve outpatient services at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, and enhance coronary care at Manmohan Transplant Centre.^[33]

Shah's administration expanded programmes supporting Kathmandu's intangible cultural heritage, including the Living Kumari, Bhairav, and Ganesh traditions. Agreements were also reached with Tribhuvan University to modernise municipal services and help preserve traditional water sources known as hiti.^[34]

In 2022, soon after being elected mayor, Shah embarked on a widespread demolition drive in Kathmandu, using bulldozers to tear down buildings and structures he said were on public land. He primarily targeted commercial buildings, including the Alfa Beta Complex in Baneshwor, the RB Complex in Khichapokhari, the Suraj Arcade in New Road, and the underpass connecting Bhotahiti with Ratna Park.^[35] Kathmandu Metropolitan City gave these businesses a 35-day notice, and when the deadline expired, it immediately began demolishing the structures. The demolitions initially drew widespread praise from the public but were ultimately criticized for a high-handed approach and a lack of follow-ups after the initial demolitions.^[36]

As part of the demolition drive, Shah also sought to dig up the Tukucha (Ikshumati) River, which had been built over in the past. He destroyed part of the Jai Nepal Cinema Hall and unearthed the river beneath its premises.^[37] However, a stay order from the Patan High Court halted any further demolition activity. Critics claimed that Tukucha was not a river per se but more of a drainage canal and that Shah's actions infringed upon the right to private property.^[38] In 2023, the High Court eventually decided that while the Tukucha was a legitimate river and deserved protection, the same applied to the rights of private property holders.^[39] As of 2026, the river remains unearthed on the premises of the Jai Nepal Cinema Hall, but no further conservation activity has taken place.

In November 2022, Kathmandu Metropolitan City attempted to evict landless squatters residing on the banks of the Bagmati River. The attempt resulted in a pitched battle between municipal workers and squatters that left over 21 injured.^[40] Following the attempt, squatters protested against the actions of Shah and the city officials, demanding alternative housing arrangement before being relocated.^[41] These demands were supported by activists who also asked Shah and the city to arrange for alternative housing before embarking on a demolition drive.^[42]

The Kathmandu Metropolitan Government, led by Shah, has faced criticism from organizations like Human Rights Watch due to allegations of employing disproportionate use of force against street vendors.^[43] His policies have also led to the emergence of small-scale protests by social activists, triggered by the circulation of videos showing the municipal police chasing down, beating and confiscating vendors' properties.^[44] Critics of Shah's crackdown on street vendors argue that since nearly half of the country's economy relies on informal businesses, such actions adversely impact the standard of living of the urban poor without offering viable alternative solutions.^[45]

In September 2023, the political activist known as Iih stood for 199 hours outside Kathmandu City Hall, urging the mayor to allow street vendors to conduct business without interference until an alternative solution could be proposed. Support for the protest came from figures like Kathmandu-4 MP Gagan Thapa, former Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa, and former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey. Addressing the protest, Mayor Shah stated on Facebook that he was enforcing laws enacted by lawmakers, including MP Thapa. He also argued that restricting street vendors does not effectively address poverty and expressed concern about the injustice faced by those whose property had been confiscated during the city's road expansion initiatives. The protest concluded with an agreement between Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Iih, aimed at developing an alternative plan for street vendors, issuing temporary permits for specific areas and times, and returning confiscated goods to their owners.^[46][47]

In September 2023, Shah publicly threatened, on Facebook, to burn down Singha Durbar, the administrative centre of the federal government. His post came after his wife, Sabina Kafle, was stopped for a routine security check by traffic police while travelling in a vehicle with government plates.^[48] Shah wrote, "Nothing happened today, but if any KMC vehicles are stopped tomorrow onwards, I will set the Singha Durbar on fire." The Facebook post was heavily criticized by civil society and political parties across the board for being insensitive and for having the potential to incite violence against the federal government. After the controversy, Shah's personal advisor, Bhupdev Shah, released a press statement saying that Kafle was unnecessarily harassed while travelling to a hospital after suffering labour pains.^[49] However, it later emerged that Kafle had already given birth a week prior and that the press statement was categorically false.^[50] In September 2025, Gen Z protesters set fire to Singha Durbar.^[51][52]

In June 2023, Shah courted controversy by placing a 'Greater Nepal' map in his office, drawing strong objections from India.^[53] Greater Nepal is an irredentist concept claims territories beyond Nepal's present-day borders that were once under Nepali control before the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli — including areas now in several Indian states. Shah's presentation of the map was widely seen as a symbolic reply to the controversy surrounding the Maurya Empire's Akhand Bharat map displayed in India's new Parliament building.^[54]

In June 2023, Shah moved to ban the screening of all Indian films in Kathmandu after the Indian film Adipurush included a dialogue stating that "Sita is a daughter of India".^[55] The dialogue sparked controversy in Nepal, where Sita, the female protagonist of the Ramayana, is believed to have been born in Janakpur, Nepal.^[56] The ban was challenged at the Patan High Court, which ordered Shah to lift the ban. Shah initially refused but was forced to lift the ban.^[57] Later, he once again took to social media, calling the federal government and the judiciary "Indian slaves". He maintained the ban despite a court order directing its removal.^[58]

In November 2025, Shah posted on Facebook, targeting countries like India, China, US, and various political parties like CPN (UML), Nepali Congress, Rastriya Swatantra Party, RPP, and the Maoists, using the "profane word" fuck.^[59] The post was quickly deleted but not before it had once again invited criticism from across the board.^[60]

After the Gen-Z protests in September 2025, the Nepal Student Union, the student wing of the Nepali Congress, filed a police complaint against Shah, accusing him of inciting violence and failing to deploy fire engines to control blazes ignited by protesters on buildings like Singha Durbar and the parliament building. Shah rejected these claims, stating that city teams worked around the clock to ensure public safety and protect infrastructure.^[61]

On 28 December 2025, Shah formally unified with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), resigning as Mayor of Kathmandu on 18 January 2026 to contest in the 2026 Nepalese general election as the party's prime ministerial candidate.^[62][63] His entry came at a critical juncture for the party, which had been struggling under the shadow of its founder Rabi Lamichhane's numerous legal controversies, including charges of fraud and alleged misappropriation of funds in Nepal's cooperative sector.^[64]

Political analysts widely credited Shah's entry with injecting new life into the Rastriya Swatantra Party with its changed avatar after bringing in big names like Balen Shah and Kulman Ghising, could reshape the electoral landscape," said political analyst Shree Krishna Aniruddha Gautam.^[65] The merger agreement included a seven-point commitment addressing anti-corruption demands, Gen Z aspirations, and governance reforms, positioning the RSP as a major alternative to the traditional establishment parties.^[66]

While Lamichhane retained the formal chairpersonship of the RSP, Shah rapidly emerged as the party's dominant public face and the principal source of its electoral momentum. Unlike Lamichhane, whose political style attracted significant controversy, Shah cultivated a softer, more inclusive approach, drawing enormous support from across Nepal without resorting to divisive rhetoric or hate speech. His campaign rallies drew mass participation from young Nepalese supporters.^[67]

Shah made his electoral debut for the RSP at a rally in Janakpur on 19 January 2026, presenting himself as a Madhesi son of Madhesh, having been originated from Mahottari District and seeking to extend the party's reach beyond its urban base.^[68] He chose to contest the high-profile Jhapa-5 constituency, directly challenging four-time former Prime Minister and CPN (UML) chairperson K. P. Sharma Oli. Oli had won that seat in every election since 2008 with the exception of the 2008 election. In the 2023 general election, Oli had won with 54,319 votes securing a margin of 28,576. Shah challenging Oli in the latter's own stronghold drew national and international attention.^[69][70]

In the 5 March 2026 general election, the RSP emerged as the dominant force in early vote counts, leading in over 90 constituencies out of 165 directly elected seats a result widely attributed to the wave of public enthusiasm Shah had generated.^[71] The party led in all ten constituencies of the Kathmandu Valley, while its rivals the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), and Nepali Communist Party trailed far behind.^[72] In Jhapa-5, Shah defeated Oli with 68,348 votes to Oli's 18,734.^[73][74][75]

Shah was officially elected to the House of Representatives from Jhapa-5 on 7 March 2026 and received his victory certificate the same day. According to the final results published by the Election Commission of Nepal, Shah secured 68,348 votes, the highest vote total ever recorded in Nepal's parliamentary election history, surpassing the previous record of 57,139 votes set by Oli himself in the same constituency in 2017.^[76][77][78] Oli received 18,734 votes, giving Shah a winning margin of 49,614 votes.^[76]

As the parliamentary leader of the majority party in House of Representatives, Shah was appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal on 27 March 2026.^[79] Shah selected his cabinet just before being appointed as the Prime Minister by the President of Nepal.^[80]

• Fortnightly salary system: On 20 April 2026, the Government of Nepal announced a reform to switch government employee salaries from a monthly to a fortnightly (15-day) payment system.^[81] The change, affecting civil servants, police, and army personnel, divides monthly pay into two installments.^[82][83] The Ministry of Finance, Dr. Swarnim Wagle said the move aims to improve cash flow, financial management, and economic liquidity, noting that biweekly payment systems are common in developed countries.^[84] Nepal became the first South Asian country to introduce such a system for government employees.^[85]

• Ban on Indian goods: On 19 April 2026, the Government of Nepal began stricter enforcement of tariff on goods worth over NPR 100 brought from India, leading to a sharp decline in cross-border shopping and leaving many once-busy Indian border markets noticeably quieter. Authorities said the move was intended to stop repeated small imports used to avoid taxes, reduce revenue leakage, and strengthen formal trade within Nepal. Many local traders welcomed the crackdown, saying it benefits domestic businesses and encourages people to buy Nepalese products. However, residents in border areas criticised the policy, arguing they have long relied on nearby Indian markets for cheaper daily essentials and now face higher prices at home. Officials said the measures are necessary to improve trade within Nepal.^[86][87]

Shah is married to Sabina Kafle, a public health professional. He lives with his wife and daughter in Gairigaun, Tinkune, Kathmandu.^[6]

Mayoral elections result

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Balendra Shah	61,767	38.6%	New
	Congress	Sirjana Singh	38,341	24.0%	+1.1%
	CPN (UML)	Keshav Sthapit	38,117	23.8%	−9.1%
	Independent	Suman Sayami	13,770	8.6%	New
	RPP	Madan Das Shrestha	5,770	3.6%	New
	Others		2,141	1.3%
Total valid votes			159,906
Rejected ballots			31,280
Turnout			191,186	63.68%	−9.04%
Registered electors			300,242	[88]	+10.7%

Parliamentary elections result

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	RSP	Balendra Shah	68,348	66.79%	+54.27%
	CPN (UML)	KP Sharma Oli	18,734	18.31%	−37.3%
	Shram Sanskriti	Samir Tamang	9,233	9.02%	New
	Congress	Mandhara Chimariya	1,821	1.78%	−23.51%
	Others		4,202	4.10%	−2.36%
Total valid votes			102,338
Rejected ballots			4,230
Turnout			106,568	63.68%
Registered electors			163,379

Shah received international attention after the Time (magazine) included him in its "The 100 Most Influential People of 2023." His election as an independent candidate was described by commentators as a challenge to the dominance of Nepal's established political parties.^[89][90]

Shah was again listed in "The 100 Most Influential People of 2026" by Time (magazine)^[91] in recognition of his rapid rise in Nepali politics within just four years and his significant influence on youth-driven political change, particularly following the 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests.

Shah is also regarded as the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, having assumed office at the age of 35, though not the youngest prime minister in Nepal's overall history.

Shah is also recognized for following distinctions:

• The youngest serving state leader in the world as of 2026.
• The youngest serving Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
• The first rapper in the world to become a prime minister.
• The first rapper to be elected mayor of a capital city.
• The first independent candidate to win the mayoral election of Nepal's capital city, Kathmandu.

• 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests – Youth-led nationwide protests in Nepal calling for political reform and better governance.
• Karki Interim Cabinet (2025–2026) – The executive government of Nepal led by Sushila Karki following the 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests.
• 2026 Nepalese General Election – A parliamentary election held following the 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests in which Balen Shah won representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party and became Prime Minister of Nepal.
• Shah Cabinet – The executive government of Nepal led by Balen Shah following the 2026 Nepalese General Election.

• Balen Shah at IMDb

House of Representatives of Nepal
Preceded by K. P. Sharma Oli	Member of Parliament for Jhapa 5 2026–present	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Sushila Karki Interim	Prime Minister of Nepal 2026–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Bidya Sundar Shakya	Mayor of Kathmandu 2022–2026	Succeeded by Sunita Dangol Acting