- May 28, 2026
- by Ashley Chen
- 169
His Majesty Attended Gyalsung Passing Out Parade Across Four Academies
His Majesty The King attended the Gyalsung Passing Out Parade in Gyalpozhing and addressed Gyalsups across Bhutan’s four academies, highlighting unity, national service, and Bhutan’s future development.
On 25 May, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar granted an Audience to Gyalsung (Bhutan's National Service Trainees) Cohort 1 of 2026 trainees at the Gyalsung Academy in Pemathang, Samdrupjongkhar. His Majesty also visited the academy site, where construction work is continuing. The visit was part of His Majesty’s ongoing tour of southern and eastern Bhutan.
Ahead of the passing out parade, His Majesty granted an Audience to Pelsung Cohort 3 participants and board members in Gelephu. Pelsung now includes 981 participants across three cohorts. His Majesty also met the 108 Chorten Project team in Gelephu and officials from Tsirang Dzongkhag while travelling to Gelephu.
The Passing Out Parade for Gyalsung Cohort 1 of 2026 was held on 27 May across Bhutan’s four Gyalsung Academies.
Passing Out Parade Held Across Four Academies
On 27 May, His Majesty The King graced the Passing Out Parade ceremony of the Gyalsung Training 2026 Batch, Cohort 1, at Gyalsung Academy in Gyalpozhing, Mongar. From Gyalpozhing, His Majesty addressed Gyalsups gathered across all four academies, including Pemathang, Khotokha, and Jamtsholing.
With the completion of training for this cohort, which included 44 young Bhutanese from overseas, the total number of Gyalsups has reached 9,860. Bhutan also now has more than 56,000 Desuups.
His Majesty said Gyalsung demonstrates Bhutan’s long-term commitment to preparing for the future with clear purpose and direction.
“We are laying the foundations of Bhutan’s future,” His Majesty said.
His Majesty explained that building a strong Bhutan depends on three key pillars: strong people, a living culture, and a thriving economy.
National Service and Shared Responsibility
Using the image of a beehive, His Majesty described how collective effort and shared responsibility strengthen the nation. His Majesty said that when Desuups, Gyalsups, and Pelsups work together with common purpose, Bhutan becomes “unified, resilient, and capable of achieving whatever we set our minds to.”
National service, His Majesty said, is a rite of passage, a shared experience, and a social equaliser that gives the nation common ground and a common future.
His Majesty also thanked the armed forces for their contribution in making Gyalsung possible, as well as the people of Bhutan for their continued support of the programme.
In addition, His Majesty expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government and people of India for their support in constructing all five training centres during the pandemic period.
Senior Leaders Attend Ceremonies
The Passing Out Parade was held simultaneously at all four Gyalsung Academies.
Her Majesty Gyalyum Tseyring Pem Wangchuck attended the ceremony at Gyalsung Academy Khotokha. Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Chief Justice Norbu Tshering attended the parades at Pemathang and Jamtsholing respectively.
Cabinet Ministers, armed forces officers, senior government officials, foreign dignitaries, and families and friends of the Gyalsups also attended the ceremonies.