The Constitution of Bhutan
35 articles. Enacted 18 July 2008. Search the index, jump to any article by anchor, or open the official PDF for the canonical text.
How to use this: Each article below is a one-line summary, anchored at /constitution#article-7 and similar — citable in essays, policy briefs, and other articles. The search is client-side and instant. Where a BhutanWiki article goes deeper on a constitutional institution (parliament, judiciary, ECB, RAA, ACC), the link appears under the summary.
Looking for the full text? The 2008 Constitution is published in Dzongkha and English. The official English PDF is at nab.gov.bt. Both texts are authoritative; in case of conflict the Dzongkha governs (Article 35).
Foundations
- 1Article 1 · Kingdom of BhutanEstablishes Bhutan as a sovereign kingdom; defines territorial integrity, the national flag, the national emblem, and the national anthem.
- 2Article 2 · The Institution of MonarchyDefines the role and powers of the Druk Gyalpo. Hereditary succession, royal prerogatives, and the relationship between the throne and the constitutional state.Read the BhutanWiki article →
- 3Article 3 · Spiritual HeritageRecognises Buddhism as Bhutan's spiritual heritage and the role of the Zhung Dratshang and the Je Khenpo, while preserving freedom of religion.
- 4Article 4 · CultureCommits the State to preserving and promoting Bhutan's distinct cultural traditions, dzongkha as the national language, and traditional arts and architecture.
- 5Article 5 · EnvironmentConstitutional commitment to maintaining a minimum of 60 percent forest cover for all time. Each citizen is a trustee of Bhutan's natural environment.
Rights and citizenship
- 6Article 6 · CitizenshipDefines citizenship by birth, descent, and naturalisation. Sets the conditions under which citizenship may be acquired or revoked.Read the BhutanWiki article →
- 7Article 7 · Fundamental RightsEquality before the law; freedom of speech, opinion, assembly, association, and movement; right to property; right to a fair trial; protection from arbitrary detention.
- 8Article 8 · Fundamental DutiesEach citizen's duty to preserve the unity and integrity of Bhutan, foster harmony among religious communities, render national service, and respect the rights of others.
Principles of state policy
Parliament
- 10Article 10 · ParliamentEstablishes Parliament as bicameral: the Druk Gyalpo, the National Council, and the National Assembly. General provisions on legislative power.
- 11Article 11 · The National CouncilComposition, election, term, and functions of the upper house — non-partisan, 20 elected from each dzongkhag plus 5 royal nominees.Read the BhutanWiki article →
- 12Article 12 · The National AssemblyComposition, election, term, and functions of the lower house — partisan, drawn by constituency, the chamber from which the Prime Minister is selected.Read the BhutanWiki article →
- 13Article 13 · Passing of BillsProcedure for introducing, passing, and assenting to legislation. Money bills, joint sittings, and the role of the Druk Gyalpo.
- 14Article 14 · Finance, Trade and CommercePublic finance powers — taxation, public debt, the Consolidated Fund, and trade and commerce regulation.
Executive
- 17Article 17 · Formation of GovernmentHow a government is formed after a National Assembly election. The role of the Druk Gyalpo, the leader of the majority party, and the cabinet's appointment.Read the BhutanWiki article →
- 18Article 18 · The Opposition PartyConstitutional recognition of the Opposition. Rights, responsibilities, and the obligation to be a constructive check on the government.
- 19Article 19 · Interim GovernmentProcedure for an interim government when Parliament is dissolved and pending the next election. Caretaker conventions and limitations.
- 20Article 20 · The ExecutivePowers and responsibilities of the executive branch — the Lhengye Zhungtshog (cabinet), the Prime Minister, and ministerial portfolios.
Judiciary
Local government
Elections and parties
- 15Article 15 · Political PartiesRegistration, conduct, and dissolution of political parties. Membership rules, financial reporting, and disqualification grounds.
- 16Article 16 · Public Campaign FinancingState financing of election campaigns to level the playing field. Limits on private contributions and disclosure requirements.
- 23Article 23 · ElectionsUniversal adult suffrage. Free, fair, and periodic elections. Electoral roll, polling, and the integrity of the ballot.
Independent oversight
- 24Article 24 · Election CommissionEstablishes the Election Commission as an independent constitutional body. Composition, term, powers, and removal procedures.Read the BhutanWiki article →
- 25Article 25 · The Royal Audit AuthorityAudits the accounts of every government agency. Independent of the executive; reports directly to Parliament.Read the BhutanWiki article →
- 26Article 26 · The Royal Civil Service CommissionEstablishes the RCSC to recruit, manage, and discipline civil servants. Independence from political direction.Read the BhutanWiki article →
- 27Article 27 · The Anti-Corruption CommissionInvestigates and prosecutes corruption by public officials. Independent of the executive; protects whistleblowers.Read the BhutanWiki article →
- 29Article 29 · The Attorney GeneralConstitutional appointment of the Attorney General as the chief legal officer of the State. Term, removal, and immunity from suit for official acts.
- 30Article 30 · The Pay CommissionRecommends pay scales for the civil service, judiciary, and constitutional office holders. Convened periodically.
- 31Article 31 · Holders of Constitutional OfficesCommon provisions on constitutional office holders — eligibility, term, oath, and removal procedures applicable to ECB, RAA, RCSC, ACC, and Attorney General.
- 32Article 32 · ImpeachmentProcedure to impeach the Druk Gyalpo. The two-thirds threshold in joint sitting and the grounds the Constitution recognises.
Defence and emergency
- 28Article 28 · DefenceEstablishes the Royal Bhutan Army, the Royal Bhutan Police, and the Royal Body Guards. Civilian command and constitutional limits on military power.
- 33Article 33 · EmergencyProcedure for declaring a national emergency. Suspension of certain rights, parliamentary review, and time limits.
Amendments and referendum
- 34Article 34 · National ReferendumProvision for putting questions of national importance to a public referendum. Trigger conditions and binding-vs-advisory effect.
- 35Article 35 · Amendment & Authoritative TextProcedure for amending the Constitution. Requires a two-thirds joint-sitting majority and the Druk Gyalpo's assent. Names Dzongkha and English as authoritative texts in case of conflict.
Related on BhutanWiki: Civics 101 (12-lesson curriculum on Bhutan's government) · Statutes index (foundational laws beyond the Constitution) · History and drafting of the Constitution.
The summaries here are written by BhutanWiki contributors and may not capture every nuance of an article. They are not a substitute for the canonical text — when citing for legal, academic, or policy work, refer to the official PDF.