His Majesty The King graced the Passing Out Parade of the Gyalsung Training 2026 Batch (Cohort 2) at the Gyalsung Academy in Khotokha, Wangdue Phodrang, marking another important milestone in Bhutan’s national service and youth development programme. The ceremony was held simultaneously at the four Gyalsung Academies in Khotokha, Pemathang, Gyalpozhing, and Jamtsholing.
In his address to the graduating Gyalsups, His Majesty highlighted the importance of Gyalsung as one of Bhutan’s significant national achievements. He emphasised that the programme has been made possible through the wholehearted support of the Bhutanese people and reflects a collective determination to build a stronger and better future for the younger generations. His Majesty also spoke about the lasting legacy that today’s Gyalsups will create, noting that future generations—including their children and grandchildren—will follow in their footsteps.
A central theme of His Majesty’s address was the sense of community created through Gyalsung. He described Gyalsung as a “third family” for the participants, alongside the families they are born into and the families and relationships they build throughout their lives with friends, mentors, and spouses. This perspective highlights that the programme is intended to create not only trained and disciplined citizens but also strong bonds of friendship, responsibility, and national identity among Bhutanese youth.
His Majesty expressed particular gratitude to the people of Bhutan, especially the parents of the Gyalsups, for their continued encouragement and support. Their participation and confidence in the programme were recognised as an important factor in the success of Gyalsung.
The passing-out ceremonies were attended by senior national leaders and dignitaries. Opposition Leader Dasho Pema Chewang attended the ceremony in Pemathang, while Royal Privy Council Chairperson Lyonpo Dr. Tandin Dorji and National Council Chairperson Thrizin Sangay Dorji attended the ceremonies in Gyalpozhing and Jamtsholing. Members of the Zhung Dratshang, Cabinet Ministers, senior military and government officials, foreign dignitaries, and the families and friends of the graduating Gyalsups were also present.
The 2026 Cohort 2 passing-out ceremony was particularly significant because 2,847 young men and women successfully completed their Gyalsung training. Among them were 25 cadets living abroad who returned to Bhutan to participate in the ceremony. This made the 2026 batch the largest cohort trained since the Gyalsung programme began in 2024. With this group graduating, the total number of Gyalsups trained in Bhutan reached 12,707.
Overall, the story presents Gyalsung as more than a period of national service or training. It portrays the programme as an investment in Bhutan’s future, aimed at developing capable, disciplined, resilient, and socially connected young citizens. The passing-out ceremony therefore represents both the completion of an important stage in the Gyalsups’ lives and the continuation of a broader national effort to prepare Bhutan’s youth to contribute meaningfully to the country and to future generations.
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