The composition of the upper house of the federal parliament has changed following the newly elected members of the National Assembly (NA) taking the oath of office on Monday. Seventeen members elected on January 25 were sworn in after 18 seats had fallen vacant.

One seat that must be filled through presidential nomination on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers remains vacant.

National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal administered the oath of office on Monday to nine members from the Nepali Congress, eight from the CPN-UML and one from the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal (JSP-Nepal).

The Congress and the UML had formed an alliance in the National Assembly elections held on January 25. Seventeen members from the alliance were elected, while one candidate was elected unopposed.

Sunil Bahadur Thapa of the Nepali Congress was elected unopposed from Koshi Province.

Along with Thapa, Congress leaders Ranjit Karna, Dharmendra Paswan, Geeta Devkota, Jagat Timilsina, Basudev Ghimire, Chandra Bahadur KC, Lalit Jung Shahi and Khamma Bahadur Khati also took the oath.

Among UML members who took the oath were Roshni Meche, Somnath Portel, Rekha Jha, Prem Prasad Dangal, Samjhana Devkota, Ram Kumari Jhankri and Leela Kumari Bhandari. Meena Singh Rakhal, elected from the UML, was absent from the oath-taking ceremony. Mahanta Thakur of Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal (JSP-Nepal) also took the oath as a member of the National Assembly.

With the entry of lawmakers elected through the Congress–UML alliance, the balance of power among parties in the National Assembly has changed.

Previously, the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) was the largest party in the chamber after the unification of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the CPN (Unified Socialist), holding 24 seats.

The Congress has now become the largest party with 24 members. However, one seat remains vacant following the death of Congress lawmaker Baldev Bohara on December 18, 2025. The NCP now has 17 members, making it the second-largest party, while the UML holds 10 seats.

The JSP-Nepal, formed after the merger of the JSP and the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party Nepal, has three members, while the Rastriya Janamorcha has one. There are two nominated members, including the chairperson of the National Assembly. One member is yet to be nominated, and another seat requires an election.

Under the Constitution, elections are held every two years for one-third of the 59-member National Assembly.

In the House of Representatives, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has won 125 seats under the first-past-the-post system and is also leading the proportional representation vote by a wide margin. The party is projected to secure about two-thirds of the seats—around 184—in the lower house.

Although it appears likely to reach a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, the RSP will still need broader political consensus on issues such as constitutional amendments, as the Congress, NCP and UML hold significant numbers in the National Assembly. The RSP currently has no representation in the National Assembly.

It is also unclear who the government will nominate to the remaining seat, though the RSP may seek representation through the nominated position.

Two-thirds of the National Assembly—40 members—are required to pass bills related to constitutional amendments and treaties that could have long-term implications for the nation. As a result, the balance of power in the upper house will influence legislative processes initiated in the House of Representatives.

The National Assembly is often regarded as a chamber of experienced and senior lawmakers. While the minimum age to become a member of the House of Representatives is 25, the Constitution requires a person to be at least 35 years old to serve in the National Assembly.

Parliamentary experts and constitutional scholars say the role of the upper house will become crucial as the RSP appears poised to secure close to a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives.

The upper house is also considered responsible for correcting shortcomings in legislation passed by the lower house. It has previously played an important role in deliberations on the Passport Bill and the land ordinance introduced during the government led by KP Sharma Oli.

The National Assembly also amended the Federal Civil Service Bill that had been passed by the House of Representatives.

Former National Assembly Secretary Rajendra Phuyal said that although the RSP may emerge as the largest party at the federal level, it must maintain consensus with established parties to pass constitutional amendments and approve treaties with long-term national consequences.

“The role of the National Assembly is advisory in budget formulation, participatory in lawmaking, and decisive in constitutional amendments,” he said.

Phuyal recalled that when a two-thirds government led by UML chair KP Sharma Oli and supported by the Congress was formed previously, the absence of a majority in the National Assembly had stalled several ordinances, including the controversial land ordinance opposed by the JSP.

“In the current situation, the next government will also have to maintain consensus with the older parties on issues such as constitutional amendments and the ratification of treaties and agreements of long-term importance,” he said.

He added that amending constitutional provisions related to provincial boundaries or provincial jurisdiction would also require the consent of provincial assemblies, making cooperation with established parties essential.

Constitutional expert Bipin Adhikari said that although the influence of traditional parties such as the Congress, UML and NCP may have declined at the federal level, they still retain strong positions at the provincial and local levels.

“The National Assembly’s full support is necessary for constitutional amendments. For that purpose, the 275-member House of Representatives and the 59-member National Assembly carry equal weight,” he said.

Adhikari also noted that the older parties have long experience in governing the country.

“Despite their political shortcomings, they have protected the country, its sovereignty and democracy. Even if the new government has the capacity for a two-thirds majority, caution will be required in governing,” he said.

Newly elected Congress member Sunil Bahadur Thapa said his party would support the government’s efforts to end corruption and ensure good governance.

“We will work to advance legislation, help provide solutions for the nation and strengthen the current federal and inclusive system,” he said. “The Gen-G movement was also about fighting corruption and ensuring good governance. Our main goal is to make Parliament more effective.”

UML member Ram Kumari Jhankri said the National Assembly would support initiatives that serve the interests of the nation and the people.

“We will fully support the government in its work. There are high public expectations, and we hope those expectations and promises will be fulfilled,” she said. “At the same time, we will also perform a watchdog role.”

Renu Chand of the Nepali Communist Party said the National Assembly must play a stronger role in ensuring effective lawmaking.

“In the changed circumstances, the role of the National Assembly has increased further. We must treat issues such as constitutional amendments and the enactment of new laws with seriousness,” she said.