Most of the ministers in Prime Minister Balen Shah’s new government are in their 30s, creating one of the youngest cabinets in recent years. The age range runs from 29 to 51.
From Left to Right: Sobita Gautam, Pratibha Rawal, Sasmit Pokharel, Sita Badi
It’s not every day that a country gets a government that looks more like a college reunion than a traditional cabinet. Nepal’s new power circle led by Balen Shah is turning heads, not just for politics, but for age. With hoodies barely swapped for blazers, the new ministers are young, energetic, and suddenly in charge.
Thirty-six-year-old Balen Shah has taken the top seat as Prime Minister after his party secured a majority in Parliament. The former Kathmandu mayor, structural engineer, and rapper has moved from city hall to Singha Durbar. He left his mayoral role, contested from Jhapa-5, defeated former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and walked straight into the country’s highest office.
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But the real buzz? He isn’t alone. His cabinet looks surprisingly young.
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Out of the 15-member Council of Ministers, 10 are under 40. That means most of the team belongs to a generation that grew up with the internet, social media, and fast-paced change.
Young faces hold major portfolios too. From home affairs to education, agriculture to health, many crucial ministries are now led by leaders in their 20s and 30s.
Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel is just 29, the youngest in the room. Close behind are Law Minister Sobita Gautam and Women Minister Sita Badi, both 30.
While youth dominates, a few experienced hands remain. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle is the oldest at 51, followed by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal at 47.
| S.No. | Name | Position | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balen Shah | Prime Minister | 36 |
| 2 | Sudan Gurung | Home Minister | 38 |
| 3 | Swarnim Wagle | Finance Minister | 51 |
| 4 | Shishir Khanal | Foreign Minister | 47 |
| 5 | Pratibha Rawal | Federal Affairs & General Administration | 32 |
| 6 | Ganess (Khadkaraj) Paudel | Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation | 43 |
| 7 | Sunil Lamsal | Physical Infrastructure & Transport | 35 |
| 8 | Gita Chaudhary | Agriculture & Livestock | 32 |
| 9 | Sasmit Pokharel | Education, Science & Technology | 29 |
| 10 | Nisha Mehta | Health & Population | 38 |
| 11 | Sita Badi | Women, Children & Senior Citizens | 30 |
| 12 | Sobita Gautam | Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs | 30 |
| 13 | Biraj Bhakta Shrestha | Energy, Water Resources & Irrigation | 44 |
| 14 | Bikram Timilsina | Communication & IT | 43 |
| 15 | Dipak Shah | Labour Minister | 34 |
Nepal now has one of its youngest cabinets in recent memory, and everyone is watching to see if youth turns into results.
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