President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has congratulated the first batch of national servicemen who have officially joined the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).
In a social‑media post, he praised the graduates and the new enlistees, underscoring the government‑initiated National Service Programme as a cornerstone for cultivating a self‑confident, faith‑strong, spiritually and physically healthy, patriotic and responsible generation of young Maldivians.
The programme’s inaugural cohort saw 344 students graduate from the National Service Programme. Of these, 137 students – hailing from 70 islands across 20 atolls – enlisted in the MNDF, completing the 72nd round of the MNDF Basic Training Course. More than 130 youth successfully completed the MNDF Basic Training Course, with several earning medals for outstanding performance.
President Muizzu said that the National Service Programme is designed to shape a generation that is confident in its faith, proud of its national identity, and ready to serve the nation with discipline and integrity. He encouraged all participants, noting the sacrifices and dedication demonstrated during the intensive three‑month training at the MNDF Composite Training Centre in Maafilaafushi.
The training curriculum at Maafilaafushi covers Maldives nationalism, responsible citizenship, religious education, ethics, leadership, and physical fitness. The third batch is already underway, with 352 students having left for training in the current cycle.
In total, 1,785 students applied for the National Service Programme, reflecting a growing interest among Maldivian youth in military and civic service.