KATHMANDU: Balen Shah, Prime Minister of Nepal, has been featured in the prestigious Time Magazine list of the “100 Most Influential People of 2026.”

The magazine included Shah in its Leaders category, alongside some of the world’s most powerful politicians, artists, and thinkers.

In its profile, Time described the 36-year-old leader as a “former hip-hop star” and the youngest Prime Minister in Nepal’s history, highlighting his unconventional rise to power.

According to the publication, Shah secured a landslide victory in the general elections held on Maarch 5, driven by unprecedented support from the younger generation and growing public frustration with traditional political figures.

Time characterized his emergence as a significant blow to entrenched dynastic politics in South Asia, noting that his leadership reflects a broader demand for change.

“Balen’s rise is not just about leading Nepal’s 30 million people,” the article states, “it represents a complete rejection of old political norms.”