Council of Ministers of Nepal
Executive organ of Nepalese government
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Council of Ministers (Nepali: मन्त्रिपरिषद्), also known as the Federal Executive, is the highest executive body of the federal government of Nepal. It serves as the central decision-making organ responsible for formulating and implementing national policies, administering the country, and directing the federal bureaucracy. The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers and holds the real executive authority in Nepal's parliamentary system.
| मन्त्रिपरिषद् | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 18 February 1951 |
| Type | Highest executive body of the Government of Nepal |
| Jurisdiction | Nepal |
| Headquarters | Singha Durbar, Kathmandu |
Prime Minister responsible | |
Agency executive |
|
Child agency |
|
| Website | opmcm |
Since 27 March 2026, the Council of Ministers has been led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah (also known as Balen Shah) of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Formation
According to the Constitution of Nepal, the Prime Minister is appointed by the President of Nepal. The President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Nepal forms a council of ministers consisting of members not exceeding twenty five in number from among the members of the federal parliament on the basis of the principle of inclusion.[1]
Constitutional Basis
Under the Constitution of Nepal (Part 7: Federal Executive), executive power is vested in the Council of Ministers. The President (head of state) formally appoints the Prime Minister and, on the Prime Minister's recommendation, other members of the Council. The Council operates on the principles of collective responsibility and political inclusion.
Removal
According to the Constitution of Nepal, the minister ceases to hold office by:[2]
- tendering resignation in writing to the Prime Minister,
- removal by the Prime Minister,
- vacancy in the office of Prime Minister, or,
- death.
Oath of Office And Secrecy
Members of the Council of Ministers of Nepal are required to take an oath of office and secrecy before the President prior to assuming their duties, in accordance with Part 7 Article 80 of the Constitution of Nepal.[3] The form and wording of the oath are prescribed by the Act Relating to oath, 2079[4].
'म (नाम) नेपालको सार्वभौमसत्ता र राजकीयसत्ता नेपाली जनतामा निहित रहेको नेपालको संविधानप्रति पूर्ण वफादार रही सत्य निष्ठापूर्वक प्रतिज्ञा गर्दै ईश्वरको/देश र जनताको नाममा शपथ लिन्छु कि प्रधानमन्त्रि/मन्त्रि पदको जिम्मेवारी प्रचलित कानूनको पालना गरी मुलुक र जनताको भलो चिताई कसैको डर नमानी, पक्षपात नगरी, पूर्वाग्रह वा खराब भावना नराखी इमान्दारीका साथ वहन गर्नेछु र आफ्नो कर्तव्य पालनाको सिलसिलामा आफूलाई जानकारीमा आएको कुरा म पदमा बहाल रहँदा वा नरहँदा जुनसुकै अवस्थामा पनि प्रचलित कानूनको पालना गर्दा बाहेक अरु अवस्थामा कुनै किसिमबाट पनि प्रकट वा संकेत गर्ने छैन।'
— अनुसूची; दफा ३(२), ३(३) र ५(२), शपथ सम्बन्धी ऐन, २०७९
'I, (name), do swear in the name of God (or, solemnly affirm in the name of the Nation and the People) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of Nepal, in which the sovereignty and state authority of Nepal are vested in the Nepali people. I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as Prime Minister(or, Minister) in compliance with the prevailing laws, keeping the welfare of the country and the people as my foremost concern, without fear or favour, impartiality or prejudice, and with honesty. I further swear/affirm that I will not disclose or indicate any information that comes to my knowledge in the course of performing my duties, except as required by law, whether I remain in office or not.'
— Schedule; Sections 3(2), 3(3), and 5(2), Act Relating to oath, 2079
Note: The above English text is an unofficial translation and is a direct rendering of the original Nepali version as provided in the Act Relating to Oath, 2079. In case of any inconsistency, the Nepali version shall prevail.
Key Roles and Powers
- Policy Making & Administration: The Council directs all federal executive functions, implements laws passed by Parliament, manages the national budget, and oversees foreign policy, security, and development programmes.
- Collective Responsibility: The Council is collectively responsible to the Federal Parliament, particularly the House of Representatives. It must maintain the confidence of the lower house to remain in power.
- Decision Making: Major decisions are taken in cabinet meetings chaired by the Prime Minister.
The Council operates from Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, the main government complex.
Current Council of Ministers
The list of ministers is as follows:
.jpg)
History
The modern Council of Ministers traces its roots to the 1951 democratic revolution that ended the Rana regime. Nepal has since transitioned through various political systems, from absolute monarchy to multiparty democracy and finally to a federal republic in 2008. The current framework was established by the Constitution of Nepal, which introduced a federal structure with three tiers of government.