Gurkha recruits achieve full pass rate at Catterick

The Gurkha Training Company has reported a one hundred percent pass rate for its latest intake, with all 274 recruits completing the 39 week Combat Infantry Course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, the British Army stated.

Selection begins in Nepal, where only a small fraction of roughly sixteen thousand applicants are chosen to travel to the United Kingdom. Recruits then face what the army describes as some of its hardest training before earning their place in the Brigade of Gurkhas.

Newly qualified Rifleman Pramesh Rana Magar said “when I was selected in Nepal, I had no idea about Army life. I have changed massively after the hard training process, but I am very proud of myself.”

Colonel David Robinson, Colonel of the Brigade of Gurkhas, said he first met the recruits at the start of the process in Nepal and praised the transformation achieved through training. He said “we have taken some amazing young men from Nepal and turned them into Gurkhas” and added “the recruits push through and get results they can be proud of.”

Families and senior personnel from across the brigade attended the pass out parade, which marked the end of training and the start of regular service. Many relatives travelled from Nepal to observe the event. Rifleman Rikesh Rai said the experience had been formative. He said “I am the youngest in my family, and I’ve always wanted to make them proud. It feels good to know I have now achieved this and made myself proud too.” He added that the journey from selection to qualification made him more mature and grateful for the opportunity.

Major General Gerald Strickland, the inspecting officer, addressed the new soldiers and told them “whatever you do, do it with pride because you are now a Gurkha.”

Graduates will move into trade training or join one of the brigade’s eight cap badges, including the King’s Gurkha Artillery. The next selection cycle begins in early 2026, with final assessments scheduled to take place in Pokhara.