Kathmandu witnessed a pivotal moment on Monday, September 22, 2025, as Nepal’s recently appointed Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, expanded her interim cabinet. With the induction of four new ministers, the government’s strength now stands at eight.
The solemn oath-taking ceremony took place at the presidential office, Sheetal Niwas, where President Ramchandra Paudel officially administered the vows to the new appointees. These include distinguished individuals such as former Justice Anil Kumar Sinha, National Innovation Centre founder Mahabir Pun, seasoned journalist Jagdish Kharel, and accomplished expert Madan Pariyar.
With these latest additions, the Karki-led Council of Ministers now comprises eight members. Prime Minister Karki has strategically retained several key portfolios herself, indicating her direct involvement in critical sectors.
The newly sworn-in ministers have been assigned vital roles: Anil Kumar Sinha will serve as the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies; Jagdish Kharel as the Minister for Communication and Information Technology; Madan Pariyar as the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development; and Mahabir Pun as the Minister for Education and Science and Technology.
All ministers promptly assumed their new responsibilities following the swearing-in ceremony.
While Nepal’s Constitution permits a Council of Ministers with up to 25 members, including the Prime Minister, Ms. Karki had previously indicated a preference for a more compact interim cabinet of only 11 members, making this expansion noteworthy.
Interestingly, the President’s Office had initially announced five new ministers for Monday’s swearing-in. However, Sangita Kaushal Mishra was excluded at the last minute due to a controversial background, underscoring the government’s commitment to integrity.
Sources confirm that Ms. Mishra was under investigation by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the nation’s anti-graft watchdog, for an alleged corruption case.
Prime Minister Karki, aged 73, assumed office on September 12, bringing an end to a period of political turbulence. Her appointment followed the ousting of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, whose government faced widespread youth-led “Gen Z” protests fueled by concerns over corruption and a controversial ban on social media platforms.
Upon assuming leadership, Prime Minister Karki swiftly made key appointments: Kulma Ghising as Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Physical Planning; Rameshwor Khanal as Minister for Finance; and Om Prakash Aryal as Home Minister.
This interim government is slated to remain in power until the upcoming general election, which is scheduled for March 5.