Jigme Singye Wangchuck (Dzongkha: འཇིགས་མེད་སེང་གེ་དབང་ཕྱུག་, Wylie: jigs med seng ge dbang phyug;[1] born 11 November 1955), is the fourth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) of Bhutan, reigning from 1972 to 2006.

On July 21, 1972, the Third King of Bhutan passed away, and at the age of 16, Crown Prince Jigme Singye Wangchuck, ascended the throne, becoming the world's youngest monarch at the time.

In 2003, he personally led Operation All Clear, a military campaign to expel insurgent groups from southern Bhutan, marking a unique instance of a head of state leading troops into action.

The success of these policies can be seen in indicators such as increased access to education and healthcare, improvements in infrastructure, and the promotion of Bhutan's unique cultural heritage.

[18] Jigme Singye Wangchuck married four sisters in a Dechog Lhakhang in Punakha Dzong on 31 October 1988, a date corresponding with the Buddhist holiday of Lhabab Duchen, or Descending Day of Buddha.

[14] The socio-economic development of Bhutan under King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was characterized by significant advancements across various sectors, including Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a guiding principle.

Focus on Preventive Care - Public Health Campaigns: The government launched vaccination programs that contributed to a significant reduction in communicable diseases.

Student Overseas Opportunities: Thousands of government issued scholarships were provided to Bhutanese for study abroad to benefit their training or pursue education.

Key priorities under Jigme Singye Wangchuck's leadership included building essential services and infrastructure to alleviate societal challenges.

[41] Druk Air, initially using Dornier aircraft, later upgraded to BAe jet planes with routes to major cities in South and Southeast Asia.

However, under Wangchuck's reign, efforts were made to mitigate this pressure by emphasizing the role of cultural preservation in maintaining national identity and stability.

Likewise, in 2001, the first Textile Museum opened by Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck drew attention to the weaving skills of Bhutan.

Skilled artisans – painters, statue-makers, carpenters, and masons proliferated in Wangchuck's reign not only because of these new institutions but also by receiving on-the-job training in many new temples and dzongs constructed in the country.

Many new official Dratshangs were established in district headquarters that previously didn't have monastic body, including Tsirang, Gaylegphug, Tashi Yangtse, Samtse, Pema Gatshel, Chukha, Bumthang and Zhemgang.

By 2006, there were 13 Shedras located in Tango, Dodeydrag, Khothokha, Sanga Choekhor, Gontey, Tshangkha, Tharpaling, Nimalung, Talo Nalanda, Sewla, Ngatsang, Drametse, and Bartsham with a total enrolment of some 700 monks.

He raised the importance of the preservation of the environment during policy discussions, which resulted in vast areas of the country being devoted to parks and sanctuaries.

[59] Jigme Singye Wangchuck played a significant role in advancing the process of democratization in Bhutan by decentralizing power from the central government to local authorities.

[61] During the ceremony, he expressed that this document symbolizes a pivotal moment in Bhutan's democratic journey, marking a commitment to uphold the rights and responsibilities enshrined within it.

[61] The event underscored the unique manner in which democracy was introduced in Bhutan, reflecting a collaborative effort between the monarchy and the citizens to establish a constitutional framework that would guide the nation's governance.

[60] In 2006, when the Fourth King, announced his intention to abdicate and conduct parliamentary elections, many Bhutanese citizens expressed their emotional resistance to this change.

[60] The Fourth King justified his decision by stating that democracy should be introduced during times of peace and that it was unwise to rely solely on one individual, especially considering the unknown capabilities of future heirs.

[60] At the end of the 4th FYP (1976–1981),[17] Wangchuck extensively reviewed the successes and challenges of the previous four years of development, which also included the physical inspection of the field projects.

[7] By empowering local bodies and promoting public involvement in decision-making, these reforms contributed to a gradual transition from a centralized monarchy to a constitutional democracy.

In Wangchuck's reign, diplomatic links were developed with many other nations such as Bangladesh in 1973; Kuwait in 1983; Nepal in 1983; The Maldives in 1984; Denmark in 1985; Norway in 1985; Sweden in 1985; Switzerland in 1985; Netherlands in 1985; Japan in 1986; Finland in 1986; South Korea in 1987; Sri Lanka in 1987; Austria in 1989; Thailand in 1991; Bahrain in 1992; Singapore in 2002; Australia in 2002 and Canada in 2003.

Operation All Clear, initiated on December 15, 2003, targeted several districts in southern Bhutan to remove the presence of two banned insurgent groups from Assam—ULFA and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB)—as well as the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), which was active in North Bengal.

[67] In 1989, during the State Funeral of Emperor Hirohito in Tokyo, Bhutan's Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, displayed extraordinary humility and respect by enduring freezing temperatures in traditional Bhutanese attire and remaining until the ceremony's conclusion, earning the admiration of the Japanese people.

[73] His leadership was marked by efforts to modernize Bhutan while also aiming to preserve its cultural identity and expand diplomatic relations with various countries, including Japan[74] and Sweden.

[75] The Silver Jubilee celebration of his reign prompted discussions about Bhutan's history and culture, underscoring the significant developments that occurred during this period.

This event is viewed as an important moment in Bhutan's history, reflecting the relationship between the monarchy and the populace while acknowledging the ongoing efforts to balance tradition with modernization.

"[77] Having ruled since 1972, Jigme Singye Wangchuck was known for his efforts to modernize Bhutan while preserving its cultural identity and promoting the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH).