Anti-Corruption Efforts in Bhutan

Anti-corruption efforts in Bhutan are led by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), an independent constitutional body established by royal decree on 31 December 2005 and formalised under the 2008 Constitution. The ACC investigates and prosecutes corruption under the Anti-Corruption Act of 2011 and operates alongside a broader institutional framework that includes parliamentary oversight, the Royal Audit Authority, and a judiciary whose independence is constitutionally guaranteed. Bhutan's anti-corruption record is among the strongest in South Asia and, by international comparisons, rivals many wealthier nations.

The Anti-Corruption Commission

Dasho Neten Zangmo, appointed as the ACC's first chairperson on 4 January 2006 by His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, established the institution's credibility by pursuing cases against senior officials during a period when corruption had carried limited social stigma. Her tenure demonstrated that the ACC would operate without deference to seniority or political connection — a message that shaped both institutional culture and public expectations.

The ACC's mandate encompasses prevention, education, and enforcement. Prevention activities include integrity assessments of government agencies, anti-corruption curriculum in schools, and advisory services for public institutions developing procurement and financial management systems. Enforcement involves receiving complaints, conducting investigations, and referring cases to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution. The commission is accountable to the National Assembly and reports annually to Parliament.

International Rankings and Assessment

Bhutan's position in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has strengthened markedly in recent years. After ranking 27th globally in 2015, Bhutan improved further to reach 18th place in the CPI 2024 with a score of 72 — surpassing the Asia-Pacific average of 44 and even the European Union average of 62. In the 2025 index, the country held 18th place with a marginal decline to 71, attributed primarily to a fall in democracy-related indicators under the V-Dem Project rather than to any deterioration in core anti-corruption mechanisms.

Bhutan consistently tops the South Asian regional ranking, outperforming India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan by substantial margins. A 2021 Transparency International agency assessment found that while 66 per cent of measured indicators were rated high, there has been a relative weakness in proactive investigations — the commission has tended to respond to complaints rather than initiate enquiries based on its own intelligence.

Legal Framework and Challenges

The National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Strategy (2014–2018) operationalised a policy of zero tolerance for corruption across government departments. Subsequent strategies have continued this framework while emphasising digital governance as a preventive tool — online procurement systems and e-government platforms reduce the face-to-face interactions in which petty corruption most easily occurs.

Analysts have identified several persistent concerns. High-level corruption in major public projects and government procurement remains difficult to detect and prosecute. The small scale of Bhutanese society — where professional and social networks overlap considerably — creates cultural pressures against reporting wrongdoing involving relatives or superiors. Assessors have also noted that the judiciary, while formally independent, operates in a context where public trust in court processes for high-value cases requires ongoing reinforcement. The government's commitment to Gross National Happiness principles frames good governance and anti-corruption not merely as administrative goals but as moral imperatives aligned with Buddhist values of honesty and non-harm.

International Cooperation

The ACC cooperates with UNODC under the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), to which Bhutan is a state party. Bhutan has undergone formal UNCAC peer review processes, with findings used to strengthen legislation and institutional capacity. The ACC has also participated in the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) and regional anti-corruption networks, sharing Bhutan's experience as a small-state model of effective institutional independence. Swiss Development Cooperation has provided technical assistance for specific capacity-building initiatives.

References

1. "Anti-Corruption Agency Strengthening Initiative: Assessment of Bhutan ACC." Transparency International, 2021.
2. "Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index 2024." Anti-Corruption Commission of Bhutan.
3. "Bhutan maintains strong standing in Transparency International's CPI 2025." ACC.
4. "Bhutan's experience: enhancing effectiveness of the ACC." UNODC, 2020.
5. "Bhutan: We can win the fight against corruption." Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.