Balendra Shah (1st R) shakes hands with Nepali President Ram Chandra Poudel (2nd R) during a swearing-in ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 27, 2026. Balendra Shah, senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was sworn in as Nepal's prime minister on Friday at a special ceremony held at the President's Office in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. Hours before the swearing-in, Shah was appointed the country's 47th prime minister as per the Constitution of Nepal. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Balendra Shah, senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was sworn in as Nepal's prime minister on Friday at a special ceremony held at the President's Office in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.

Nepali President Ram Chandra Poudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Shah during the ceremony.

Hours before the swearing-in, Shah was appointed the country's 47th prime minister as per the Constitution of Nepal. ■

Balendra Shah (R, front) is sworn in as Nepal's prime minister during a ceremony presided over by Nepali President Ram Chandra Poudel (L, front) in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 27, 2026. Balendra Shah, senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was sworn in as Nepal's prime minister on Friday at a special ceremony held at the President's Office in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.

Hours before the swearing-in, Shah was appointed the country's 47th prime minister as per the Constitution of Nepal. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Balendra Shah (2nd R) participates in a swearing-in ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 27, 2026. Balendra Shah, senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was sworn in as Nepal's prime minister on Friday at a special ceremony held at the President's Office in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.

Hours before the swearing-in, Shah was appointed the country's 47th prime minister as per the Constitution of Nepal. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Balendra Shah is sworn in as Nepal's prime minister during a ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 27, 2026. Balendra Shah, senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was sworn in as Nepal's prime minister on Friday at a special ceremony held at the President's Office in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.

Hours before the swearing-in, Shah was appointed the country's 47th prime minister as per the Constitution of Nepal. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)