Karki expands interim cabinet, 4 new ministers sworn in

The Nepal constitution provides for a maximum cabinet strength of 25. However, Karki recently suggested that her interim cabinet may have only 11 members.

Written by Yubaraj Ghimire

Kathmandu | Updated: September 23, 2025 06:25 AM IST

2 min read

Interim PM Karki will retain Defence and Foreign Affairs. (PTI)

Nepal’s Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki Monday appointed four new ministers to her cabinet, taking its strength to eight.

Former Justice Anil Kumar Sinha, who was Karki’s colleague when she was chief justice, Magsaysay awardee Mahabir Pun, journalist Jagdish Kharel and expert Madan Pariyar took the oath of office and secrecy in the presence of President Ramchandra Paudel during a ceremony at the presidential office, Sheetal Niwas.

Unlike Karki’s oath-taking ceremony on September 13, representatives of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist and Maoist Centre — Speaker of Dissolved Lower House Dev Raj Ghimire and Upper House Chairman Narayan Dahal, respectively — attended the swearing-in event.

The Nepal constitution provides for a maximum cabinet strength of 25. However, Karki recently suggested that her interim cabinet may have only 11 members.

Sinha holds the highest number of portfolios — including Industries, Civil Society, and Law and Justice. Pun has taken charge of Education, and Science and Technology.

Kharel is in charge of Communication and Broadcasting and Pariyar will be Minister for Agriculture and Fertilisers.

Interim PM Karki will retain Defence and Foreign Affairs.

The three other ministers in the cabinet, who had taken oath along with Karki, are Kulma Ghising (Energy, Water Resources and Physical Planning), Rameshwor Khanal (Finance) and Om Prakash Aryal (Home).

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On Sunday, the President’s Office had announced that five new ministers would take the oath on Monday. However, Sangita Kaushal Mishra, who was supposed to take over the health portfolio, was dropped amid a corruption investigation against her.

Karki, 73, became prime minister on September 12, ending days of political uncertainty after the ouster of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli following youth-led Gen Z protests against his government over corruption and a ban on social media.

The interim government will run till the next general election scheduled for March 5.

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