Bhutan Civil Service Preliminary Examination key terms

Bhutan's development philosophy holding that policy should balance material progress with cultural, environmental, and psychological wellbeing. It is measured through periodic national surveys using nine domains and four pillars, and guides planning across government agencies.

A composite statistical measure that summarises how many Bhutanese are happy and how deeply, based on survey data across GNH domains. It reports headcount ratio and sufficiency levels, allowing comparison over time and across districts.

The national planning body that screened policies and coordinated five-year plans against GNH criteria before its functions were reorganised. It linked central planning, resource allocation, and local government plans under a single appraisal framework.

The supreme law adopted in 2008, establishing a democratic constitutional monarchy, fundamental rights, and separation of powers. It sets rules on the monarchy, Parliament, judiciary, and citizenship, and prevails over all other laws.

The title of Bhutan's monarch, meaning 'Dragon King'. The Constitution vests executive authority in the Druk Gyalpo, who appoints ministers on the Prime Minister's advice and must abdicate at a specified age.

Bhutan's system of government in which a hereditary monarch serves as head of state within constitutional limits, while elected bodies exercise legislative and executive power. The monarch's powers are defined and constrained by the written constitution.

The constitutional article guaranteeing rights such as equality before the law, freedom of speech and religion, and protection against arbitrary arrest. These rights are enforceable in courts, subject to specified limitations and exceptions.

The power of courts to examine whether laws and government actions comply with the Constitution and to declare inconsistent acts invalid. In Bhutan the Supreme Court exercises this authority, reinforcing constitutional supremacy over ordinary legislation.

The upper house of Bhutan's Parliament, composed of 25 members: 20 elected from districts and five appointed by the Druk Gyalpo. It reviews legislation, advises on national issues, and acts as a house of review rather than an executive chamber.

The lower house of Parliament, with members elected from constituencies for a five-year term. It initiates and passes money bills, holds the executive accountable, and chooses the Prime Minister from the majority party.

The head of government, typically the leader of the party winning the most seats in the National Assembly. The office-holder forms the cabinet, directs policy, and answers to Parliament for executive actions and spending.

The Council of Ministers, Bhutan's executive cabinet, comprising the Prime Minister and ministers heading sectoral ministries. It formulates and implements national policy, prepares budgets, and is collectively responsible to the National Assembly.

A district, the primary administrative division below the national level, headed by a Dzongdag. Bhutan has 20 dzongkhags, each with planning, revenue, and service-delivery functions coordinated with central ministries.

A block or sub-district grouping several villages, administered by an elected Gup and a committee. Gewogs manage local development activities and are the basic tier of local government below the dzongkhag.

The elected head of a gewog, responsible for local administration, dispute mediation, and representing villagers' interests. Gups sit in Dzongkhag Tshogdu and help link community needs to district and national planning.

The district council, comprising the Dzongdag as chair, Gups, and elected representatives, which reviews district plans and budgets. It serves as a forum for coordinating local priorities and monitoring development within the dzongkhag.

A national development plan setting targets and resource allocations for a five-year period, prepared through consultations with sectors and local governments. Plans guide public investment and are reviewed against progress indicators.

The ethical standards expected of public servants, including integrity, impartiality, accountability, transparency, and service to citizens. These values underpin merit-based recruitment, discipline, and public trust in government institutions.

A situation where a public official's private interests could improperly influence official decisions. Officials are expected to disclose and avoid such situations, and failure to manage them can undermine impartiality and invite disciplinary action.

A set of written rules governing behaviour of public officials, covering matters such as gifts, outside employment, confidentiality, and political neutrality. Breaches may lead to disciplinary proceedings under civil service regulations.

The national language of Bhutan, written in the Tibetan-based Uchen script and taught in schools. It is the medium of official communication and a compulsory subject in civil service examinations.

The formal block script used to write Dzongkha and classical Tibetan texts. Its angular, distinct letters are standard for printed Dzongkha and for copying religious manuscripts in Bhutan.

The classical literary form of Dzongkha used in historical documents, legal records, and formal writing. Knowledge of its vocabulary and conventions helps candidates read older Bhutanese texts and official archives.

A traditional Bhutanese form of poetic or oratorical exchange, often competitive, using metaphor and wit. It appears in folk literature and ceremonial settings, illustrating rhetorical skill valued in Dzongkha literary study.

A Tibetan and Bhutanese literary genre presenting the spiritual biography of a religious master, describing lineage, travels, and teachings. Such texts are important sources for religious history and classical Dzongkha reading.

An annual religious festival held at dzongs and monasteries, featuring masked cham dances and blessings. It commemorates Guru Rinpoche's birthday and serves to transmit Bhutanese religious and cultural traditions across generations.

A fortified monastery-fortress that historically combined religious and administrative functions in a district. Dzongs remain seats of district government and monastic bodies, and are central symbols of Bhutanese architecture and identity.

The dominant school of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan, from which the country's name 'Druk' derives. Its monastic hierarchy, headed by the Je Khenpo, plays a formal role in state ceremonies and national life.

The spiritual head of Bhutan's monastic body, appointed from senior monks and holding high ceremonial rank. The office oversees monastic discipline and participates in state rituals alongside the Druk Gyalpo.

The eighth-century Indian master Padmasambhava, credited with establishing Buddhism in Bhutan and Tibet. His figure is central to Bhutanese festivals, iconography, and legends associated with the founding of major monasteries.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, a regional grouping of eight member states including Bhutan. It promotes cooperation on trade, education, and security, and provides a diplomatic platform for smaller members.

Bhutan joined the United Nations in 1971, gaining recognition and a forum for diplomacy. Membership supports the country's engagement on development, environment, and human rights issues through specialised agencies.

A status where a country removes more greenhouse gases than it emits, largely due to extensive forest cover. Bhutan's constitution requires at least 60 percent forest cover, supporting this environmental commitment.

Electricity generated from flowing water, Bhutan's principal export industry and revenue source. Run-of-river projects supply domestic needs and sell surplus power to India, tying the economy closely to energy demand.

Bhutan's currency, subdivided into 100 chetrum and pegged at par with the Indian rupee. The peg facilitates cross-border trade and investment, while the Royal Monetary Authority manages monetary policy.

A form of deductive reasoning with premises leading to a conclusion, tested in logical reasoning sections. Candidates must judge validity, distinguish necessary from probable conclusions, and avoid assumptions not stated in the premises.

The ability to analyse arguments, identify assumptions, and draw valid inferences from given information. Exam questions may involve series, analogies, seating arrangements, or evaluating whether conclusions follow from statements.

The skill of reading tables, charts, and graphs to extract values and compute ratios, percentages, and trends. Quantitative sections test speed and accuracy in comparing data and choosing the required operation.

A proportion expressed as a fraction of 100, used in profit and loss, interest, and data comparison problems. Converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages quickly is essential for timed aptitude tests.

A word with a meaning opposite to another, tested in English vocabulary questions. Candidates should consider context and part of speech, since some words have multiple senses with different opposites.

A word or phrase with a meaning close to another, tested in English vocabulary and comprehension questions. Correct choices depend on register and context, as near-synonyms may differ in nuance or usage.

Two ways of presenting a clause depending on whether the subject performs or receives the action. Grammar questions ask candidates to transform sentences while preserving tense, meaning, and agreement.

The grammatical rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Exam items test this with collective nouns, intervening phrases, and indefinite pronouns that complicate identifying the true subject.