Tshering Tobgay

In 1998, he married Tashi Doma and is blessed with two children. His interests include reading, music and drama, while he enjoys outdoor activities like bicycling, trekking, jogging and archery and also likes volunteering.

Tobgay is very active on social media such as Facebook and Twitter. He is also an active blogger.

Tshering Tobgay was born on September 19, 1965, in the Haa, Bhutan. He is the the eldest among the six sons of his parents. His father was a soldier in the Bhutan Army and his mother helped in constructing the first road linking Bhutan with India.

He completed his secondary education from ‘Dr. Graham's Homes’ school in Indian hill station of Kalimpong.

In 1987 he joined the ‘Swanson School of Engineering’ at ‘University of Pittsburgh’ after he received a scholarship from the ‘United Nations’ and completed his ‘Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical)’ in 1990.

He also undertook several short courses, workshops and seminars including ‘Project monitoring and evaluation’ in England, ‘Improving quality of vocational training’ from South Korea and ‘Strategic planning from India.

Tshering Tobgay held several administrative positions in the Royal Government of Bhutan before venturing into politics. His career began on October 16, 1991 as a civil servant in the ‘Department of Education’ as a Program Officer in its ‘Technical and Vocational Education Section’. He held the position till December 31, 1996.

On January 1, 1997, he became the Officer-in-Charge of the ‘Technical and Vocational Education Section’ of the ‘Department of Education’ and remained so until May 9, 1999.

He established the ‘National Technical Training Authority’ (NTTA) and headed it as its Director from May 10, 1999 to June 30, 2003.

He then served the ‘Ministry of Labour and Employment’ as Director of the ‘Human Resources Department’ from July 1, 2003 to February 1, 2007.

Meanwhile, he joined the ‘John F. Kennedy School of Government’ at ‘Harvard University’ in 2003 from where he received his ‘Masters of Public Administration’ in 2004.

Tshering Tobgay is the first recipient of the lifetime scarf, the ‘Lungmar Scarf’ after its reinstitution. His Majesty bestowed upon him this honour in acknowledgement of the contributions he made as an opposition leader in the democratic procedures of the country from 2008 to 2012. He received the honour on December 17, 2014 during the 107th National Day celebration