A major structural reorganization has taken place within the federal executive as President Ramchandra Paudel executed appointments, structural shifts, and strategic portfolio reallocations in the current Council of Ministers on Tuesday. The administrative transformation, executed upon the formal recommendation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, alters the governance lineup originally established on Chaitra 13, 2082, operating under the constitutional provisions of Article 76, Sub-clause (9) of the Constitution of Nepal.
This executive reconfiguration underscores a calculated consolidation of administrative duties, highlighted by Prime Minister Shah choosing to personally retain the oversight of the Ministry of Defense. The restructuring spans seventeen core leadership roles designed to direct the nation's primary legislative and infrastructural pathways.
Key economic and international portfolios see Dr. Swarnim Wagle managing the Ministry of Finance, while Shishir Khanal assumes leadership at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation will be directed by Biraj Bhakta Shrestha. Infrastructure Development is assigned to Sunil Lamsal, and Sobhita Gautam takes charge of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs.
Social and resource sectors are divided among Sita Wadi leading Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minority, and Social Security, while Pratibha Rawal oversees Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs, and General Administration. Public wellness and baseline security see Nisha Mehta directing Health and Food Hygiene, Sasmit Pokharel leading Education and Sports, and Geeta Chaudhary managing Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment. Industrial and labor functions are split between Gauri Kumari at Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, and Ramji Yadav steering Youth, Labour, and Employment. Cultural policies and national connectivity will be managed by Khadak Raj Paudel at Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, alongside Dr. Bikram Timilsina heading Information and Communication.
The immediate operationalization of this new cabinet structure was finalized through formal state ceremonies. At a specialized event held at the presidential residence, Sheetal Niwas, the two newly integrated cabinet members, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung and Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Mahabir Pun, officially repeated their oaths of office and secrecy before President Paudel in alignment with Article 80 of the Constitution. This administrative realignment sets a definitive governance framework for the cabinet as it moves forward with its reallocated legislative and developmental mandates.
