Passing Out Parade of Second Gyalsung Cohort Held Across Four Academies
Thimphu, October 30, 2025:
The Passing Out Parade (POP) for the Second Cohort of the 2025 Gyalsung Cadets was held today with simultaneous ceremonies across all four Gyalsung Academies — Pemathang, Gyalpozhing, Khotokha, and Jamtsholing. A total of 1,992 cadets successfully completed their training and took part in this historic event, marking a significant milestone in Bhutan’s national service initiative.
The ceremonies were graced by His Royal Highness Gyaltsab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, His Excellency the Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, the Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army, and the Chairperson of the Royal Privy Council. The presence of venerable Lopens, senior armed forces officers, government officials, and the families of the graduating cadets added to the solemnity and pride of the occasion.
On this special occasion, His Majesty The King addressed the entire graduating cohort across all four academies from Thimphu. In the Royal Address, His Majesty emphasized that Gyalsung, enshrined as a Fundamental Duty under Article 8.1 of the Constitution, was instituted to empower Bhutanese youth with the discipline, skills, and values needed to ensure the nation’s resilience, unity, and continuity. His Majesty reminded the cadets that their completion of training marks not just an achievement, but a new beginning — a lifelong journey of service to the King, country, and people.
The POP symbolizes the transition of the cadets from Gyalsung trainees to Gyalsups, representing their readiness to take on their roles as loyal and capable citizens of Bhutan. The 2025 cohort also included 31 young Bhutanese residing overseas who returned to the country to undergo the Gyalsung Training — a reflection of the deep commitment and support for the program among Bhutanese families at home and abroad.
With the successful completion of this year’s training, the total number of trained Gyalsups now stands at 8,322. The newly graduated Gyalsups will now enter the National Service Duty (NSD) phase, where they will apply their acquired skills to key national projects such as Border Duty, infrastructure development for the Gelephu Mindfulness City, and the construction of the Gyalsung Academies.
The earlier cohorts have already made significant contributions to national events and international relief missions, underscoring Gyalsung’s growing role in nation-building. The 2025 POP thus marks not just the culmination of a training cycle, but the beginning of a lifelong commitment to serve with pride, unity, and devotion to Bhutan’s future.
