Kathmandu, March 27 Nepal's new Prime Minister, Balendra Shah, restructured the cabinet and merged various ministries on Friday to simplify government operations and improve coordination.
Popularly known as 'Balen', Shah retained the portfolios of Defence and Industry, and Commerce, while the remaining 14 ministers took their oath at a special ceremony held at the official residence of the President, Shital Niwas.
According to the President's Office, Minister for Finance, Dr. Swarnim Wagle, holds the second position, while Minister for Home Affairs, Sudan Gurung, ranks third.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports was merged with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, with Sasmita Pokharel heading the office.
The Ministry of Drinking Water was merged with the Ministry of Health and Population, led by Nisha Mehta.
The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation was integrated with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, led by Pratibha Rawal.
The Ministry of Forest and Environment was abolished for the first time and was merged into the Ministry of Agriculture, headed by Gita Chaudhary.
KP Sharma Oli, who was in office from July 2024 until his removal, led a cabinet of 25 ministers, while the interim government, led by Sushila Karki, formed after Oli's resignation in the wake of violent Gen Z protests that rocked the Himalayan nation from September 9 to 12, had 15 ministers.
The current Constitution of Nepal, implemented in 2015, limits the size of the Council of Ministers to 25 according to Article 76.