TENZIN LHAKI | Thimphu
A new Bhutanese mobile application, Kunchhab Pal, has rapidly gained attention across the country by combining learning, competition and real-time cash rewards in a single digital platform. Designed as a LIVE quiz app, Kunchhab Pal invites people of all ages to participate in scheduled quiz challenges, answer multiple-choice questions in real time, and compete for instant prizes. Since its introduction, thousands of Bhutanese users have taken part in the app’s LIVE challenges, making it one of the most talked-about locally developed digital initiatives in recent months.
At its core, Kunchhab Pal is built around the idea of turning learning into an engaging and rewarding activity. The app hosts LIVE quiz challenges where participants from different parts of Bhutan—and even Bhutanese living abroad—join simultaneously to answer a fixed set of questions. Each LIVE challenge consists of up to 13 multiple-choice questions, and winners are ranked based on accuracy and speed. Cash prizes are awarded instantly to the top performers, with rewards distributed up to the 10th rank.
Kunchhab Pal is a homegrown digital platform founded by two young Bhutanese entrepreneurs, Tashi Tobgay and Tshering Norbu. The founders describe the app as an effort to make learning enjoyable while strengthening awareness of Bhutan’s history, culture, traditions and contemporary issues. According to them, modernization and changing lifestyles have reduced opportunities for younger generations to engage deeply with Bhutanese heritage and knowledge systems. The app, they say, was created to address this gap by presenting information in a fun, competitive and rewarding format.
The platform is officially trade licensed in 2025 and is fully copyright-protected under the laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan. This formal registration, combined with transparent prize distribution mechanisms, has played a role in building user trust, especially in an online environment where concerns over credibility and fairness are common.
In simple terms, Kunchhab Pal is a Bhutanese LIVE quiz app where users compete in real time, test their knowledge across diverse subjects, and earn rewards that include cash prizes and in-app coins. While many quiz apps exist globally, Kunchhab Pal distinguishes itself through its focus on local relevance, nationwide simultaneous participation, and instant prize payouts conducted transparently.
“I look forward to the Saturday LIVE quiz every week because it feels like the whole country is playing together at the same time,” said Karma Wangdi, a college student from Thimphu. Every Saturday evening at 7 PM Bhutan Standard Time, Kunchhab Pal hosts its flagship Weekly Online LIVE Quiz Challenge. At the scheduled time, registered users log into the app and join the challenge simultaneously. All participants receive the same questions at the same moment, ensuring equal conditions for everyone.
To participate, users must first register on the app. Registration is free and comes with a sign-up bonus of 1,500 coins, which are used to enter LIVE quiz challenges. Users can also earn an additional 500 coins for each successful referral, once the referred user completes their first LIVE quiz. These in-app coins function as entry credits rather than cash, allowing users to participate without immediate monetary investment.
Cash prizes are awarded instantly, often through direct bank transfers conducted during or after a video call, a process the founders say reinforces accountability and trust.
The quiz content on Kunchhab Pal covers a wide range of topics, making it accessible and appealing to users of different age groups and educational backgrounds. Categories include general knowledge, education, current affairs, music, entertainment, and fun trivia. A significant focus is placed on Bhutanese culture, heritage and traditions, reflecting the founders’ intention to promote national identity and awareness through digital engagement.
Questions are designed to be balanced and informative, aiming not only to test what users already know but also to encourage learning and curiosity. By presenting cultural and educational content in a competitive format, the app seeks to deepen users’ appreciation of Bhutan’s values while maintaining entertainment value.
Kunchhab Pal’s journey began with a series of initial challenges aimed at testing the platform and building public interest. On 23 September 2025, the app hosted a Free Lucky Draw Giveaway worth Nu. 20,000. The first winner, Mr. Phuntsho from Trashi-Yangtse, marked an early milestone for the platform and helped generate nationwide attention.
To ensure technical stability and user readiness ahead of the official launch, the developers organized a mass LIVE Quiz Test Challenge within the app on 28 September 2025. This trial run allowed the team to observe system performance during a large-scale LIVE event and gather feedback from users. The test challenge concluded with Thrinley Nidup Dorji winning the top prize of Nu. 5,000.
The official launch of Kunchhab Pal took place on 11 November 2025, an auspicious date in Bhutan, with a Grand Quiz Challenge dedicated to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. The event saw high participation and significant prize offerings. Mahesh Dhakal, a teacher from Mongar, secured first place and won Nu. 50,000, becoming the app’s first Grand Champion. Second place went to Tenzin Dorji, who was studying in Bangladesh at the time and received the winning call from abroad, earning Nu. 30,000. Pema Choki claimed third place with a prize of Nu. 10,000. In addition, seven participants ranked between fourth and tenth place each received Nu. 1,000 as consolation prizes.
The development of Kunchhab Pal was not without difficulties. The founders report that one of the initial challenges was understanding and refining user requirements across different age groups and levels of digital literacy. Designing a platform that was user-friendly for both young students and older users required repeated adjustments and testing.
Addressing Bhutanese youth, the founders encourage curiosity, perseverance and confidence in one’s knowledge. They describe Kunchhab Pal as a platform designed to make learning exciting and rewarding, while also emphasizing the importance of embracing challenges as part of any successful journey.
As Kunchhab Pal continues to expand its user base and refine its features, it represents a growing example of how locally developed digital platforms can blend education, entertainment and community participation within Bhutan’s evolving technological landscape.
