Who and what the headlines are about.

Balendra Shah

47th Prime Minister of Nepal (since 27 March 2026, MP for Jhapa-5); former Mayor of Kathmandu (2022–2026). Rapper, structural engineer; joined RSP in Jan 2026 and led the party to victory in the 2026 election. Also holds the Defence portfolio and, since 22 April 2026, Home Affairs on an interim basis after Sudan Gurung's resignation.

Swarnim Wagle

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Tanahun-1). Economist (PhD from Australian National University); former Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission (2017–2018); ex–World Bank Senior Economist and UNDP Asia-Pacific Chief Economic Advisor. Vice-Chair of RSP.

Rabi Lamichhane

Chairperson of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP); former TV journalist. Re-elected MP in 2026; backed Balen Shah as PM candidate; faces ongoing cooperative fraud case.

Gagan Thapa

President of Nepali Congress (elected January 2026, youngest ever); former Minister of Health. Resigned after NC's poor showing in March 2026 elections, though SC validated his NC leadership on 18 April 2026.

Sasmit Pokharel

Minister of Education, Science and Technology and Minister of Youth and Sports of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Kathmandu-5); also serves as Government of Nepal spokesperson. Former leader of Sajha Youth Organization (Bibeksheel Sajha Party); BBM-LL.B from Kathmandu University School of Law. Won Kathmandu-5 in 2026 over NC's Pradeep Paudel, UML's Ishwar Pokharel and RPP's Kamal Thapa.

Sunil Lamsal

Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Minister of Urban Development of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Rupandehi-1). Structural engineer; previously infrastructure-and-environment expert under Balen Shah's Kathmandu mayoralty. BE (Lumbini Engineering College), ME in structural engineering from India. Worked on Gautam Buddha International Airport, Pokhara International Airport and Singha Durbar restoration.

K P Sharma Oli

Chairperson of CPN-UML; former Prime Minister of Nepal (multiple terms). Lost his seat in the March 2026 elections and was briefly arrested (March–April 2026) over the Gen Z protest crackdown.

Donald Trump

47th President of the United States (2025–); his trade tariff policies and Middle East diplomacy are frequently covered in Nepali media.

Rajendra Lingden

Chairperson of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP); proponent of Hindu state restoration.

Shishir Khanal

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Kathmandu-6). Co-founder of Teach For Nepal (2012); briefly Education Minister for 19 days in January 2023. Heads RSP's Foreign Relations Department; MPA from University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre); former Prime Minister (served 2022–2024); known as Prachanda. Now a backbench MP from Eastern Rukum after his party won only 17 seats in the 2026 election.

Sobita Gautam

Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Chitwan-3). Lawyer and former TV presenter (Swasthya Sarokar on Nepal Television); founding central committee member of RSP. First elected from Kathmandu-2 in 2022; in 2026 won Chitwan-3 by defeating Renu Dahal by a 38,662-vote margin.

Bikram Timilsina

Minister of Communication and Information Technology of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Nuwakot-1). Academic and former broadcaster; PhD from Griffith University on the role of external forces in Nepal's peace process. Previously taught Diplomacy and International Law at Tribhuvan University and worked nine years as a producer/presenter at Radio Sagarmatha. Won Nuwakot-1 by defeating former Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat.

Sudan Gurung

Founder of Hami Nepal (2020) and a key leader of the 2025 Gen Z protests that toppled the previous government. Served as Minister of Home Affairs (27 March 2026 – 22 April 2026, MP for Gorkha-1) before resigning amid scrutiny of his share investments and alleged links to a businessman under money-laundering investigation. Previously a DJ and event manager in Kathmandu.

Sher Bahadur Deuba

Five-time former Prime Minister; former President of Nepali Congress (until Jan 2026). Did not contest the 2026 election; faces money-laundering arrest warrant (April 2026).

Harka Sampang

Former Independent Mayor of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City (2022–2026); known for grassroots governance reforms. Founder and chairman of Shram Sanskriti Party (2025–).

Nisha Mehta

Minister of Health and Population and Minister of Water Supply of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, PR member — Madhesi cluster, Sunsari). Nurse from Inaruwa, Sunsari; trained at AIIMS New Delhi; master's in Nursing from Gwalior, India. Previously worked at the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences and Birat Teaching Hospital. RSP general member since founding.

Manoj Kumar Sharma

31st Chief Justice of Nepal (since 19 May 2026); sworn in by President Ram Chandra Paudel at Shital Niwas the same evening the Parliamentary Hearing Committee unanimously endorsed his nomination. Constitutional Council recommended him on 7 May 2026; the pick was contentious because he was fourth in the Supreme Court seniority roll, bypassing acting CJ Sapana Pradhan Malla and two other senior justices. Former Supreme Court justice; serves a six-year term.

Narayan Kaji Shrestha

Senior leader of CPN (Maoist Centre); former Deputy Prime Minister; known as Prakash.

Mahabir Pun

Tech activist and Ramon Magsaysay Award laureate; founder of National Innovation Center Nepal; champion of rural connectivity. Served as Education Minister (Sept 2025–early 2026), then won Myagdi-1 in the 2026 election; now MP.

Madhav Kumar Nepal

Former Chairperson of CPN (Unified Socialist), which merged into the new Nepali Communist Party (NCP) in November 2025; he serves as NCP joint coordinator. Former Prime Minister (2009–2011).

Pratibha Rawal

Minister of Federal Affairs and General Administration and Minister of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, PR member from Sudurpashchim). Former journalist (South Asia Check, Republica, Galaxy 4K Television — host of 'Lalmohar'); RSP central committee member and co-spokesperson since 2022. Asian College of Journalism (Chennai) alumna.

Sita Badi

Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, PR member — Dalit cluster, Surkhet). The first parliamentarian and first cabinet minister from Nepal's marginalised Badi community, and the first woman from the Badi community to earn a master's degree. Long-time activist against caste-based discrimination.

Sunita Dangol

Acting Mayor of Kathmandu (2026–); Newar heritage conservationist and language activist. Deputy mayor under Balen Shah from 2022.

Upendra Yadav

Chairman of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP-Nepal); former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Resigned from government in May 2024.

Gita Chaudhary

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development and Minister of Forests and Environment of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, PR member — Tharu cluster, Kanchanpur). Lawyer from Shuklaphanta Municipality-4, Kanchanpur; founder of Youth Advocacy Nepal, providing free legal services to marginalised communities.

Khadka Raj Paudel

Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Kaski-1). Known by his literary name 'Ganesh' Paudel; writer, trekker and former English-literature lecturer (15+ years). MBA (Pokhara University), BA in English Literature (Tribhuvan University). Founder of the Random Readers Society.

Biraj Bhakta Shrestha

Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Kathmandu-8). Heritage-conservation activist; entered politics through Bibeksheel Sajha alongside Ujwal Thapa; founder of 'Force Nepal' and the 'One Tree – My Responsibility' campaign. Previously member of the inaugural Bagmati Provincial Assembly. Bachelor's in Commerce and Business Administration. Re-elected from Kathmandu-8 in 2026.

Finance Minister of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Finance.

Prime Minister of Nepal

Head of government of Nepal.

President of Nepal

Ceremonial head of state of Nepal.

Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal

Presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

Foreign Minister of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Home Minister of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Chief Justice of Nepal

Head of the Supreme Court and judiciary of Nepal.

Minister of Health and Population of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Health and Population.

Minister of Education of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

Federal Parliament of Nepal

Bicameral legislature of Nepal comprising the House of Representatives and National Assembly.

Armed Police Force Nepal

Paramilitary police force of Nepal; handles border security and counter-terrorism.

Ministry of Finance

Nepal's central ministry for fiscal policy and budget.

Supreme Court of Nepal

Nepal's highest court.

Nepal Police

National civilian police force of Nepal.

United Nations

International organization; Nepal is a member since 1955 and a significant troop contributor to UN peacekeeping.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City

Nepal's largest metropolitan city authority, governing Kathmandu city.

Election Commission of Nepal

Constitutional body that conducts elections in Nepal.

Ministry of Home Affairs

Nepal's ministry responsible for internal security, police and local administration.

Tribhuvan University

Nepal's largest and oldest university; established 1959.

Nepal Stock Exchange

Nepal's only stock exchange; commonly referred to as NEPSE.

Nepal Rastra Bank

Central bank of Nepal.

Nepal Army

National army of Nepal.

World Bank

International financial institution; major development lender to Nepal.

Gorkhapatra

Nepal's oldest and largest-circulation Nepali-language daily newspaper; state-owned.

Kathmandu University

Autonomous technical university in Dhulikhel.

Nepal Electricity Authority

State-owned electricity utility; manages generation, transmission and distribution.

Asian Development Bank

Regional development bank; significant infrastructure funder in Nepal.

National Planning Commission

Nepal's apex economic planning body; advises on development policy and national budgets.

International Monetary Fund

International financial institution providing economic policy advice and financial assistance.

National Innovation Center

Government-affiliated innovation and technology centre co-founded by Mahabir Pun.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

Regional intergovernmental organisation; headquartered in Kathmandu.

Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority

Nepal's constitutional anti-corruption body; investigates abuse of authority by public officials.

Ncell

Private telecommunications company operating in Nepal; one of the two major mobile networks.

Kathmandu

Capital and largest city of Nepal.

India

Nepal's southern neighbour; largest trading partner and major source of foreign influence.

Singha Durbar

Nepal's central government secretariat complex in Kathmandu; seat of the executive and most ministries. Colloquially used as a metonym for the government itself.

United States

Country; significant Nepali diaspora; Trump administration trade tariffs frequently covered.

China

Nepal's northern neighbour; major infrastructure and investment partner via BRI.

Lalitpur

Metropolitan city in Kathmandu Valley; historically known as Patan.

Pokhara

Second-largest city of Nepal; Gandaki Province.

Iran

Middle Eastern country; frequently covered due to nuclear standoff, US sanctions, and Strait of Hormuz tensions affecting global oil and Nepal's fuel costs.

Bhaktapur

Historic city in Kathmandu Valley; UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval Newari architecture.

Bagmati Province

Province 3; includes Kathmandu Valley.

Mount Everest

World's highest mountain (8,849 m); located on Nepal–Tibet border; known in Nepali as Sagarmatha.

Gandaki Province

Province 4; includes Pokhara.

Chitwan

District in Bagmati Province; home to Chitwan National Park. Bharatpur is the headquarters.

Surkhet

Capital city of Karnali Province; Birendranagar municipality.

Karnali Province

Province 6; mountainous mid-west region; least populous province.

Japan

Country; rising destination for Nepali students and workers under visa programs.

Madhesh Province

Province 2; Terai lowlands, large Madhesi population.

Lumbini Province

Province 5; western Terai, birthplace of Buddha at Lumbini.

Jhapa

District in Koshi Province; southeastern Terai, major tea-growing region.

Birgunj

Metropolitan city in Parsa District, Madhesh Province; main Nepal–India border crossing.

Hetauda

Sub-metropolitan city; capital of Bagmati Province.

Koshi Province

Province 1; eastern Nepal including Biratnagar.

Kanchanpur

District in Sudurpashchim Province; Mahendranagar is the district headquarters.

Biratnagar

Metropolitan city in Koshi Province; second-most populous city in Nepal.

Israel

Middle Eastern country; Israel–Gaza and Israel–Lebanon conflicts are extensively covered in Nepali media.

Lebanon

Middle Eastern country; Israel–Lebanon conflict extensively covered in Nepali media.

Strait of Hormuz

Strategic waterway between Iran and Oman; roughly 20% of global oil passes through it. Frequently referenced in Nepal's fuel price and geopolitics coverage.

United Arab Emirates

Gulf state; major destination for Nepali migrant workers.

Janakpur

Sub-metropolitan city; capital of Madhesh Province. Religious and cultural centre associated with Sita.

Parbat

District in Gandaki Province; Kushma is the district headquarters.

Tanahun

District in Gandaki Province; Damauli is the district headquarters.

Qatar

Gulf state; one of the largest destinations for Nepali migrant workers.

Makwanpur

District in Bagmati Province; Hetauda is the district headquarters.

Tehran

Capital of Iran; frequently referenced in coverage of Iran's nuclear programme and regional diplomacy.

Banke

District in Lumbini Province; Nepalgunj is the district headquarters.

Sudurpashchim Province

Province 7; far-western Nepal; capital Dhangadhi.

Kailali

District in Sudurpashchim Province; Dhangadhi is the district headquarters.

Butwal

Sub-metropolitan city in Lumbini Province; major commercial hub.

Myagdi

District in Gandaki Province; Beni is the district headquarters; Mahabir Pun won Myagdi-1 in 2026.

Siraha

District in Madhesh Province; Terai lowlands, known for agriculture.

Bharatpur

Metropolitan city; capital of Bagmati Province; headquarters of Chitwan District.

Pakistan

South Asian country; Nepal's neighbour through India; frequently covered due to regional geopolitics.

Canada

Country; significant Nepali diaspora.

Australia

Country; significant Nepali diaspora.

Dhankuta

District in Koshi Province; hilly eastern district.

United Kingdom

Country; historic Nepal ties via Gurkha regiments and diaspora.

Rautahat

District in Madhesh Province; Terai lowlands.

Rupandehi

District in Lumbini Province; Butwal is the district headquarters; contains Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha.

Dhanusha

District in Madhesh Province; Janakpur is the district headquarters.

Jajarkot

District in Karnali Province; epicentre of the 2023 earthquake.

Nepalgunj

Sub-metropolitan city in Banke District, Lumbini Province; major southwestern commercial hub.

Dhangadhi

Metropolitan city; capital of Sudurpashchim Province.

Baglung

District in Gandaki Province; Baglung municipality is the headquarters.

Udayapur

District in Koshi Province; Gaighat is the district headquarters.

Himalayas

Mountain range spanning Nepal's northern border; home to eight of the world's fourteen 8000m peaks including Mount Everest.

Palestine

Territory in the Middle East; the Israel–Palestine conflict and Gaza situation are frequently covered in Nepali media.

Germany

Country; growing destination for Nepali students and skilled workers.

Gulmi

District in Lumbini Province; hilly terrain, known for agriculture and labour migration.

South Korea

Country; popular destination for Nepali workers under the EPS (Employment Permit System) program.

Salyan

District in Karnali Province; hilly mid-western district.

Saudi Arabia

Gulf state; significant destination for Nepali migrant workers.

Dharan

Sub-metropolitan city in Koshi Province; known for Harka Sampang's governance model.

Panchthar

District in Koshi Province; hilly eastern district bordering India.

Taplejung

Easternmost district of Nepal, Koshi Province; gateway to Kangchenjunga trek.

Rastriya Swatantra Party

Centrist political party founded 2022 by Rabi Lamichhane. Won a parliamentary majority in the 2026 election; Balen Shah, who joined RSP in Jan 2026, became PM.

Nepali Congress

Centre-left political party; historically one of Nepal's two largest. Won 38 seats in the 2026 election; leadership contested after Gagan Thapa resigned as president, though SC validated his faction on 18 April 2026.

CPN (UML)

Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist). Chairperson remains KP Sharma Oli.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party

Right-wing royalist party; advocates restoration of Hindu state and constitutional monarchy. Reunified with RPP-Nepal on 31 December 2025; current chair is Rajendra Lingden.

Shram Sanskriti Party

Nepali political party focused on labour rights and cultural identity; founded by Harka Sampang.

CPN (Maoist Centre)

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).

Roads and Infrastructure

Road construction, highways, bridges and infrastructure development in Nepal.

Healthcare

Health system, hospitals, public health policy and medical services in Nepal.

Education

Education policy, schools, universities and literacy initiatives in Nepal.

Constitution

Nepal's 2015 Constitution; constitutional amendments and debates.

Air Travel

Civil aviation, airlines, airports and air transport policy in Nepal.

Federalism

Nepal's federal system established by the 2015 Constitution; provincial and local governance issues.

Tourism

Nepal's tourism industry including trekking, mountaineering and heritage tourism.

Agriculture

Farming, food security, agricultural policy and rural livelihoods in Nepal.

Hydropower

Hydroelectric power generation; Nepal has among the world's highest per-capita potential; key export earner.

Foreign Employment

Nepali labour migration to Gulf countries, Malaysia, South Korea and beyond; policy and welfare issues.

Corruption

Corruption, anti-corruption investigations, abuse of authority and governance accountability in Nepal.

Climate and Environment

Climate change impacts on Nepal including glacial melt, flooding, and environmental policy.

Belt and Road Initiative

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); Nepal signed the framework agreement in 2017; infrastructure projects and debt-diplomacy debates.

MCC Nepal Compact

Millennium Challenge Corporation compact; US$500m US infrastructure grant to Nepal; ratified 2022 after prolonged political debate.

Cricket

Bat-and-ball sport; Nepal is an ICC Associate Member.

Football

Association football (soccer); Nepal's national team is governed by ANFA.

Mountaineering

High-altitude climbing; Nepal hosts eight of the world's fourteen 8000m peaks; major tourism industry.