Bhutan’s Largest Gyalsung Cohort Completes National Service Training

Bhutan’s largest Gyalsung cohort has completed national service training, bringing the total number of trained Gyalsups across the country to 12,707.

A total of 2,847 young Bhutanese completed Gyalsung training on 30 September, making the second cohort of 2026 the largest group to graduate from the national service programme since it began in 2024.

His Majesty King Jigme attended the Passing Out Parade at Gyalsung Academy Khotokha in Wangdue Phodrang, a district in west-central Bhutan. The ceremony took place simultaneously at the country’s three other Gyalsung academies in Pemathang, Gyalpozhing and Jamtsholing.

The graduating group included 25 Bhutanese living abroad who returned to the country for the training. Its completion brings the total number of trained Gyalsups to 12,707.

Gyalsup is the term used for a participant in Gyalsung, Bhutan’s national service programme for young citizens.

The King Highlights Unity and Common Purpose

Addressing participants at all four academies from Khotokha, His Majesty described Bhutan as a country moving in the right direction.

“I see providence, determination, focus, clarity, and above all, I see how united we are,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty described Gyalsung as one of the most important national achievements of the present generation, made possible by broad public support. His Majesty also paid tribute to His Majesty The Fourth King and earlier generations for establishing the foundations on which Bhutan continues to develop.

The King told the graduating Gyalsups that the experience would remain important throughout their lives and could eventually be shared with their children and grandchildren as future generations take part in the programme.

“This training is a rite of passage, a social equalizer, and a common experience,” His Majesty said. “It shapes you as you step into adulthood and prepare to shoulder responsibilities. Irrespective of your background, you come together with a single identity, as Bhutanese.”

His Majesty also expressed his personal wish to share the Gyalsung experience with his own children when their time comes to participate.

National Service as a Shared Experience

Gyalsung was launched across four academies in September 2024. The programme brings eligible young Bhutanese together for national education, basic military training and personal development.

The 2026 training was conducted in two cohorts because of capacity limits at the academies. The second cohort undertook a three-month programme focused on basic military training and national education, alongside leadership and life-skills activities.

Under the Gyalsung Act of 2022, Bhutanese citizens who reach the eligible age are required to register for national service, subject to provisions covering medical exemption, education-related deferment and other circumstances.

His Majesty described Gyalsung as a third family for its participants. The first is the family into which a person is born, while the second develops through friendships, mentors and relationships formed over a lifetime.

“In the next two decades, together with the Desuups, this family will number 326,000 people, bound by common purpose, trust, and loyalty,” His Majesty said.

De-suung is Bhutan’s national volunteer programme. Its members, known as De-suups, support public services, emergency responses and community initiatives.

Preparing a Small Country for Future Challenges

His Majesty placed Gyalsung within Bhutan’s longer-term effort to build a capable and coordinated population.

“What we lack in numbers, we must make up with competence, agility, adaptability, and coordination,” His Majesty said. “We are never going to have the advantages of a large country, nor their challenges. To plan for the future, we must first understand who we are. Bhutan has the right preconditions. What we choose to do with it will determine our future.”

The remarks reflect one of the programme’s central purposes. Gyalsung is intended to give young people from different social, economic and regional backgrounds a common experience before they move further into adulthood, employment or higher education.

His Majesty expressed pride in the graduating cadets and thanked their parents for supporting the programme.

The latest parade followed the graduation of the first Gyalsung cohort of 2026 in May. That cohort brought the number of trained Gyalsups at the time to 9,860.

Parades Held Across Four Academies

The other passing out ceremonies were held at Pemathang in Samdrup Jongkhar, Gyalpozhing in Mongar and Jamtsholing in Samtse.

Opposition Leader Dasho Pema Chewang attended the parade at Pemathang. Royal Privy Council Chairperson Lyonpo Dr. Tandin Dorji attended the ceremony in Gyalpozhing, while National Council Chairperson Sangay Dorji attended at Jamtsholing.

The four ceremonies were also attended by senior members of the Zhung Dratshang, Bhutan’s central monastic body, as well as Cabinet ministers, senior armed forces officers, government officials, foreign dignitaries and the families and friends of the graduating Gyalsups.

The completion of the largest cohort so far increases the number of young Bhutanese who share the Gyalsung experience. The programme’s longer-term significance will depend on how participants apply its lessons in their communities, workplaces and future national service.