Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies CBS Archives

Overview

The Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies (CBS; formerly Centre for Bhutan Studies) is an autonomous government research institute based in Thimphu, Bhutan, engaged in interdisciplinary research on Bhutan's history, society, culture, religion, economy, and politics. Its archival collections and digital repositories serve as a resource for scholars of Bhutanese history, society, and the internationally influential Gross National Happiness (GNH) development philosophy.

History and Founding

The Centre was established by the Royal Government of Bhutan in November 1998, under the guidance and support of His Majesty the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who is the originator of the GNH philosophy. It was initially known as the Centre for Bhutan Studies and served as a government think tank and research institution. Since 1999, it has regularly published the Journal of Bhutan Studies, a peer-reviewed English-language academic journal. In 2019, the institution was renamed the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies to reflect its expanded mandate in GNH research, policy application, and international engagement.

Collections and Holdings

The Centre's archives and digital collections include: published research monographs and working papers on Bhutanese history, culture, religion, and society; the full run of the Journal of Bhutan Studies (1999–present), available as open-access PDFs; datasets from GNH surveys and assessments conducted since 2005; GNH Index methodology documentation; and policy screening tool resources. The archives section of the CBS website provides access to digitized publications and data. The Centre's library contains specialist holdings on Bhutan and the broader Himalayan region.

Notable Publications and Research

Among the Centre's most influential outputs are the GNH Index — a multidimensional measure of wellbeing that has attracted international attention — and the associated GNH Policy Screening Tools and Business Assessment Tools. The Centre released its first GNH happiness assessment in 2005 and has continued regular surveys. Research topics have ranged from Bhutanese political history, oral tradition, and Buddhist religious practice to media self-censorship, demographic studies, and SDG indicator baseline reporting.

Access and Usage

The Centre's archive and publications are accessible online at bhutanstudies.org.bt/archives. The Journal of Bhutan Studies articles are freely available online. Researchers wishing to access physical collections or engage the Centre for collaborative research may contact it directly at its Langjophakha, Thimphu premises.