Special report · १०० दिन
The First 100 Days.
The Balendra Shah government, 27 March 2026 to 5 July 2026. Not what was said about it, what it verifiably did: every act multi-source checked, every controversy sourced, every number from the public record.
Fact-checked. Every claim in this report (41 in total) was independently re-verified against primary reporting on 5 July 2026: 37 confirmed, 2 corrected, 2 removed for lacking independent coverage. Numbers come directly from the Nepal Next database; anything shown as alleged is exactly that, and the report continues to update as the record grows.
The verdict
What the record supports
The first 100 days of the Balendra Shah government combined visible administrative activity with contested methods and incomplete follow-through. Ministries recorded concrete outputs: digital dashboards and inspections at Industry, Commerce and Supplies under Gauri Kumari Yadav, consular tools and diaspora programmes at Foreign Affairs under Shisir Khanal, labour reform steps at Labour under Ramjee Yadav, and health measures including a Burn Fund and hospital construction updates under Nisha Mehta. A new Science, Technology and Innovation ministry was created under Mahabir Pun. Against this, the government's own claim of 87.2 percent progress on its 100-point agenda diverged sharply from an independent Kantipur review citing 38 of 100 delivered. Governance by ordinance, mass annulment of political appointments, squatter evictions, high-profile arrests later released without charge, and press freedom concerns drew sustained criticism. The record supports a picture of energetic early delivery alongside disputed process, unresolved investigations and unverified completion claims.
Delivered
- ＋Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies under Gauri Kumari Yadav launched a digital dashboard for real-time company and industry registration data on 29 June 2026 and moved the Company Registrar's Office towards a fully digital system with an AI-based complaint call centre.
- ＋Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Shisir Khanal began operating the 'MoFA Mitra' app to simplify consular services for Nepalis abroad and introduced the Nepal Diaspora Global Network and Lumbini Fellowship.
- ＋Ministry of Labour under Ramjee Yadav launched a five-year National Occupational Safety and Health Programme on 1 May 2026, began expanding labour permit services via FEIMS with user IDs generated for 390 of 753 local levels, and started 'Operation Illegal Agent Clean-Up' on 30 June 2026.
- ＋Ministry of Health and Population under Nisha Mehta appropriated Rs 200 million for a Burn Fund, reported 109 of 657 targeted local-unit hospitals completed with 336 under construction, and passed a bill amending Acts related to the Academy of Health Sciences on 2 July 2026.
- ＋Ministry of Finance under Swarnim Wagle initiated the repeal of 15 laws deemed obstacles to economic growth on his first day, 27 March 2026, and unveiled the FY 2083/84 budget of NPR 2.124 trillion on 29 May 2026.
- ＋Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens under Sita Badi made the 1145 women's violence hotline functional 24 hours a day, activated the 104 and 1098 hotlines, and prepared draft amendments to the Human Trafficking (Control) Act.
Not yet, or not as promised
- －The government's claim of 87.2 percent progress on the 100-point agenda was not corroborated by an independent Kantipur review, which found only 38 of 100 commitments delivered.
- －Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigned on 22 April 2026 amid allegations of undisclosed investments and financial links to a businessman under investigation, before being reappointed on 9 June 2026, creating disruption at the Home Ministry.
- －The arrests of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on 28 March 2026 ended in release without charge, leaving investigations unresolved within the 100 days.
- －Squatter settlement clearance in the Kathmandu Valley proceeded with reported short notice and a slow pace of verifying, relocating and compensating the genuinely landless.
- －Prime Minister Shah held no press conference and did not meet editors during the period, and reforms were pushed through ordinances despite a parliamentary majority.
- －Several flagship bills, including the Companies Bill and the Federal Civil Service Act, remained at drafting or tabling stage rather than enacted by day 100.
The 100 promises
One agenda, two scorecards
The government unveiled a 100-point governance reform agenda on 29 March 2026. On day 100 it graded itself. An independent count read the same record differently.
Government spokesperson, on completing 100 days
Independent review, Kantipur
The government's claim of 87.2 percent achievement, with 70 of 100 points reported fully implemented, sits far above Kantipur's independent count of 38. The gap is best explained by method rather than dishonesty on either side. The official figure is a self-score that appears to count partial progress, pilot launches and announced decisions as delivered, whereas the independent review measured demonstrable implementation. Several headline achievements are administrative decisions rather than transformative reforms, and initiatives still in announcement or pilot phase may be logged as done in one framing and incomplete in the other. Readers should treat both numbers as provisional pending fuller documentation.
Refund for cooperative depositors (Point 99)
First phase from 18 May repaid Rs 44.35 million to 1,895 small depositors with under Rs 10,000 in three troubled cooperatives.
Compensation for Gen Z protest victims (Point 6)
Fifty-three families each received Rs 1.5 million and Rs 8.167 million was distributed to support 134 injured individuals.
Reduce number of federal ministries
Ministries cut from 22 to 18 against an initial target of 17, projected to save about Rs 20 billion annually.
Open competition for vice-chancellors and ambassadors
Open competition was introduced for selecting university vice-chancellors and ambassadors.
Faceless digital services and Hello Government upgrade
Steps were taken towards faceless digital services for passports, citizenship and driving licences, with a real-time complaint dashboard initiated.
State apology to Dalit and excluded communities
No formal state apology was offered, though RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane apologised in parliament on the party's behalf.
National Integrated Digital Governance Platform
The platform has not been implemented within the first 100 days.
Information Technology and Electronic Governance Bill
Targeted to be drafted within 60 days, the bill has not yet been drafted.
Anti-corruption investigations
Investigations began, including the arrests of former PM KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who were later released without charge while investigations continued.
Delivery, measured
Verified acts by office
Acts that cleared our verification bar, one official primary source or two independent credible outlets, in the 100-day window. Volume is not a judgement of quality; it shows where the record is densest.
Tap any office for the full profile: promises, delivery, strengths and weaknesses.
Who they are, what they own
The asset declarations
Published in full by the Office of the Prime Minister on 12 April 2026, seventeen days into office. No previous Nepali government has made them public.
On 12 April 2026, 17 days into office, the cabinet published its full asset declarations through the OPMCM, reportedly the first Nepali government to make them public. The disclosure itself was the milestone, a transparency first, and it revealed a wide wealth range inside the cabinet. Prime Minister Balendra Shah declared about Rs 14.6 million in bank savings, earned largely through social media, and no land or property in his own name. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle declared holdings collectively valued at over Rs 120 million. At the other end, ministers listed modest assets down to livestock, underscoring the contrast within a single cabinet.
Balendra Shah (Prime Minister)
About Rs 14.6 million in bank savings, earned largely through social media, and no land or property in his own name.
Swarnim Wagle (Finance Minister)
Property collectively valued at over Rs 120 million, with hydropower and banking investments.
Sita Badi (Minister)
Modest assets including jewellery, land, 20 chickens and a dog.
Geeta Chaudhary (Minister)
Listed two goats and ten chickens.
As declared to the OPMCM and reported by The Himalayan Times, OnlineKhabar, Ratopati. Declarations are the office-holders’ own statements.
The hundred days
How it unfolded
27 Mar
Government sworn in
Balendra Shah was sworn in as Prime Minister with a 14-member cabinet, and the first meeting approved a 100-point governance reform agenda and decided to implement the Gauri Bahadur Karki inquiry commission report.
Sources: mofa.gov.np · risingnepaldaily.com · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com
27 Mar
Finance Minister begins law repeal
Swarnim Wagle assumed office and initiated the process of repealing 15 laws deemed obstacles to economic growth on his first day.
Sources: myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com
28 Mar
Arrests of former leaders
Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested, and later released without charge as investigations continued.
Sources: english.khabarhub.com
10 Apr
Cabinet additions
Gauri Kumari Yadav was appointed Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Ramjee Yadav was appointed Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security.
Sources: moics.gov.np · english.khabarhub.com
22 Apr
Home Minister resigns
Sudan Gurung resigned as Minister of Home Affairs amid allegations of undisclosed investments and financial links to a businessman under investigation.
Sources: english.ratopati.com
1 May
Occupational safety programme launched
Minister Ramjee Yadav launched a five-year National Occupational Safety and Health Programme on International Workers' Day.
Sources: risingnepaldaily.com · moless.gov.np
2 May
Ordinance annuls appointments
An ordinance was issued annulling 1,594 political appointments made before 26 March 2026 as part of an administrative overhaul.
Sources: myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com
14 May
Ministry restructuring
Following ministry restructuring, Ramjee Yadav assumed office as Minister of Youth, Labour and Employment and Nisha Mehta assumed office as Minister of Health and Food Hygiene.
Sources: moless.gov.np · mohp.gov.np
29 May
Budget unveiled
The government unveiled a total budget of NPR 2.124 trillion for fiscal year 2083/84.
Sources: myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com
9 Jun
New science ministry and reappointment
Mahabir Pun was appointed Minister of a newly created Science, Technology and Innovation ministry and Sudan Gurung was reappointed Minister of Home Affairs.
Sources: risingnepaldaily.com · english.nepalnews.com
29 Jun
Registration dashboard launched
Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav initiated a digital dashboard at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies providing real-time company and firm registration data.
Sources: moics.gov.np
2 Jul
Health bill passed
Minister Nisha Mehta presented and the House passed the bill to amend Nepal Acts related to the Academy of Health Sciences, and land certificate distribution began under Minister Pratibha Rawal.
Sources: mohp.gov.np · english.nepalnews.com
3 Jul
Bills tabled and inspections
Six bills including the Finance Bill 2083 were tabled in the National Assembly, and Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav conducted a surprise inspection of the Company Registrar's Office.
Sources: moics.gov.np
The controversy register
Contested ground
Every entry sourced. Alleged means alleged: we never present an accusation as fact, and confirmed is used only where a court, audit or official record says so. Named figures hold a right of reply.
Home Minister's resignation over financial links allegations
ConfirmedSudan Gurung resigned as Minister of Home Affairs on 22 April 2026 amid allegations of undisclosed investments and financial links to a businessman under investigation. He stated the resignation was to enable an investigation. He was reappointed to the same post on 9 June 2026 on the Prime Minister's recommendation.
Government response
Gurung stated his resignation was intended to enable the investigation to proceed.
Sources: english.ratopati.com · english.nepalnews.com
Arrests of former leaders later released without charge
DisputedFollowing the cabinet decision to implement the Gauri Bahadur Karki commission report, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on 28 March 2026. Critics argued the arrests were politically motivated and lacked due process. The individuals were later released without charge as investigations continued.
Government response
Supporters within government framed the arrests as a commitment to justice and dismantling cronyism.
Sources: english.khabarhub.com
Eviction of landless settlements
DisputedThe government undertook a demolition drive of squatter settlements in the Kathmandu Valley and elsewhere, with the first phase decided on 23 April 2026. Critics condemned the demolitions for short notice and the slow pace of verifying, relocating and compensating the genuinely landless. Supporters said it aimed to distinguish genuine landless individuals from those used as political vote banks.
Government response
The government said the drive aimed to distinguish genuine landless individuals from fake squatters and included efforts to resettle affected families.
Sources: kathmandupost.com · hindustantimes.com
Press freedom concerns
AllegedJournalists and media observers raised concerns about pressure on press freedom, citing ministerial warnings, online harassment by ruling party supporters, and a policy directing public advertising exclusively to state-owned media. Home Minister Sudan Gurung stated his ministry would act against media organisations that insult or defame individuals.
Government response
Home Minister Gurung stated the ministry would act against media that insult or defame individuals.
Sources: nepalitimes.com
Diplomatic disengagement and border remarks
AllegedPrime Minister Shah reportedly declined to meet high-ranking foreign emissaries below equivalent political rank, was followed by the postponement of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's Kathmandu visit, which had been intended to convey an invitation for an India visit, amid Shah's refusal to meet officials below equivalent political rank, and made pronouncements on the border that were deemed controversial. Critics warned about antagonising development partners, while supporters framed it as an assertion of sovereignty.
Sources: aljazeera.com
Disputed 100-point progress claim
DisputedThe government claimed 87.2 percent progress on its 100-point governance reform agenda with 70 points fully implemented. An independent review by Kantipur indicated only 38 of the 100 commitments had been delivered. The gap between official and independent assessments remains unresolved.
Government response
Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel presented a report claiming 87.2 percent progress on 4 July 2026.
Sources: kathmandupost.com
Governance by ordinance and parliamentary conduct
AllegedDespite holding a parliamentary majority, the government advanced reforms through ordinances, including the annulment of political appointments, which critics feared could undermine checks and balances. The Prime Minister also drew criticism for walking out of Parliament sessions and for controversial remarks in the House.
Sources: myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com
On the global stage
How the world heard them
In its first 100 days the government presented an unusually reserved international posture built around what it called development diplomacy, aiming to make Nepal a bridge between India and China rather than a buffer. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal framed policy around non-alignment, sovereignty and mutual respect, and undertook familiarisation visits to both neighbours. Prime Minister Shah made no foreign trips, kept a low public profile, and largely declined one-on-one meetings with envoys, meeting resident ambassadors collectively instead, a break from convention presented as prioritising state interests over personalities.
On 31 May, PM Shah told Parliament that Nepal had also encroached on Indian land in some areas and proposed involving the United Kingdom in resolving the Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh dispute.
The remarks led to considerable parliamentary uproar and disruptions, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified on 1 June that they referred to localised encroachment and did not signify a shift in Nepal's official stance.
Sources: cited research
Shah declined a one-on-one meeting with visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, whose Kathmandu visit was subsequently postponed.
Sources: cited research
RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane visited New Delhi from 1 to 5 June at the BJP's invitation, meeting Amit Shah and S. Jaishankar to discuss cooperation through a development diplomacy approach.
India's Ministry of External Affairs rejected any third-party mediation on the boundary dispute.
Sources: cited research
The PM received resident ambassadors in a joint courtesy call on 7 April, with heads of about 17 missions attending and a follow-up group session scheduled for other Kathmandu-based envoys, replacing the tradition of individual courtesy meetings.
The move was presented as an effort to institutionalise diplomacy and prioritise state interests over individual personalities.
Sources: cited research
The inheritance · सम्झना
This government exists because of September 2025
This government exists because of the Gen Z uprising of September 2025, the movement that made its formation possible. The toll, officially confirmed on 1 May 2026, was at least 76 people killed and 2,660 injured. Of 440 federal buildings assessed, 134 were fully destroyed and 176 partially damaged, including fires at Singha Durbar, and leaders' private homes were torched. The scale of that violence and destruction is the backdrop against which the administration's first 100 days must be read. The uprising toppled the K.P. Sharma Oli government and cleared the path for the current administration, which has framed justice for the movement as a founding obligation.
What it owes
The specific debts are concrete: justice for the at least 76 killed and 2,660 injured, rebuilding the 134 destroyed and 176 damaged federal buildings, and delivering the governance reforms the movement demanded, chiefly anti-corruption action, transparency and accountable administration. The government has itself framed compensation for martyrs' families and the injured, and implementation of the investigation commission's report, as founding commitments.
Reconstruction
The record on physical rebuilding is thin. Rapid DUDBC assessments in October 2025 confirmed the scale of destruction, and an interim reconstruction committee chaired by Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal was formed on 25 September 2025, with a December 2025 report estimating Rs 36.30 billion for reconstruction. However, specific progress on physically rebuilding the burned government buildings within this government's first 100 days is not explicitly detailed in the available sources.
Justice for the dead
The first cabinet meeting decided to implement the Gauri Bahadur Karki-led commission report, after which former PM K.P. Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested, though both were later released without charge while investigations continued. The commission report, confirming the deaths, reportedly recommends criminal probes but remains publicly unreleased. Separately, on 27 May 2026 the NHRC recommended investigating commission chair Gauri Bahadur Karki, along with Sushila Karki and Om Prakash Aryal; these remain recommendations and allegations.
Sources: Kathmandu Post · HRW · Wikipedia · cited research · toll figures officially confirmed 1 May 2026
The public mood
What Nepalis are saying
The evidenced public mood was mixed and sharply divided. An independent Kantipur review credited visible administrative activity but counted only 38 of the 100 governance commitments as implemented, against the government’s own 87.2 percent claim, and the opposition CPN (UML) called the first 100 days weak, immature and controversial. Enthusiasm for the anti-corruption drive and the asset-disclosure first coexists with frustration over contested methods, evictions and press-freedom concerns.
An independent review found only 38 of the 100 governance commitments had been implemented, against the government's claim of 87.2 percent progress. — Kantipur, 2026-07
The opposition CPN (UML) labelled the government's performance weak, immature and controversial and released its own critical review. — CPN (UML), 2026-07
What we are watching
The next 100 days
- १Passage or stalling of the six bills tabled on 3 July 2026, including the Finance Bill 2083 and Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Bill 2083, in the National Assembly.
- २Whether the amendment to the Foreign Employment Act, including reform of the free visa, free ticket provision confirmed by Minister Ramjee Yadav, advances to enactment.
- ३Progress on labour permit service expansion via FEIMS beyond the 390 municipalities with user IDs towards all 753 local levels.
- ४Delivery on health targets under Minister Nisha Mehta, including hospital construction beyond the 109 completed of 657 and rollout of burn treatment units in 14 federal hospitals.
- ५Outcomes of the investigations that led to arrests and releases without charge, and of the land embezzlement inquiry initiated at the Nepal Children's Organization.
- ६Whether the drafted Companies Bill and the Federal Civil Service Act move from drafting to tabling and enactment.