DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

The unemployment rate is significantly higher in urban areas standing at 5.54 percent than the 1.75 percent in rural areas according to the Fourth Quarter (October- December) Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for 2024. Two third of unemployed individuals, which is 64.2 percent of the total unemployed population resides in urban …

Bhutan recorded 864 tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2023, with a notable concentration among young adults aged 15-24. The Annual Health Bulletin 2024 report indicates that this age group has the highest number of new pulmonary bacteriologically confirmed TB cases and extrapulmonary TB cases. To address the persistent TB burden, the …

Coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The King, the Ministry of Health (MoH) announced the establishment of the Multidisciplinary Super Specialty Hospital (MDSSH), which aims to provide advanced and specialized medical care within the country, reducing the need for overseas treatment and ensuring that all Bhutanese have access …

The Department of Tourism (DoTr), under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment (MoICE), officially launched the Bhutan Integrated Tourism Master Plan 2025-2034 on 21st February 2025 in Thimphu. The event, held in honour of His Majesty The King’s 45th Birth Anniversary, was attended by approximately 30 tourism stakeholders, including …

RBP calls for public support to fight against drugs Although the number of drug-related arrests has slightly decreased in 2024, with 3,319 individuals apprehended compared to 3,667 in 2023, substance abuse remains the leading crime in Bhutan. The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) has emphasized the need for robust measures and …

A private transport operator has raised concerns over the Bhutan Postal Corporation Limited (BPCL) operating a commercial vehicle which is ferrying paid passengers, as an unfair competition, given both buses have the same destination. The private transport has its bus departing from Thimphu to Phuentsholing simultaneously every day, every half …

During the Meet-the-Press session, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT),  Chandra Bahadhur Gurung, provided an update on the ongoing feasibility studies for airstrip development in Bhutan. Yoeseltse in Samtse and Samrang in Samdrup Jongkhar have emerged as the most viable locations following a series of assessments. Lyonpo Chandra outlined …

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has outlined plans to establish a premier STEM school at Drukgyel, Paro. This initiative is part of Bhutan’s long-term vision to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) into its education system. Aligned with the Royal Kasho on education reform, the school …

The Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) has witnessed a troubling decline in student admissions, with intake percentages dropping significantly from 2023 to 2024. In 2023, RUB admitted 2,105 students under government scholarships, which accounted for just 20% of the total 8,823 pass-outs from the Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate (BHSEC) …

The Gyalsung Training 2025 will offer its streamlined three-month program aimed at preparing the Bhutanese youth for well-rounded development and responsible citizenship. According to Gyalsung Media, the program will run in two cohorts, similar to 2024. The first cohort will undergo training from 1st April to 30th June 2025, while …