Dzongdag

Dzongdag is a Bhutanese administrative title for the chief executive officer of a dzongkhag (district). Each of Bhutan's 20 dzongkhags is administered by a Dzongdag, who leads the district administration and serves as the chairperson of the Dzongkhag Tshogdu, the district council. The Dzongdag acts as the central government's representative at the district level and is responsible for translating national policies into local programs.

The role involves overseeing development planning and public service delivery across the district, coordinating activities across government agencies, and supervising district-level offices such as education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure. The Dzongdag works with gewogs through the gewog administration and the Gewog Tshogde, ensuring alignment between district and local priorities. The office is also charged with maintaining public order and safety in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, and with disaster management and emergency response within the district.

Dzongdags are senior civil servants appointed by the central government. They typically bring extensive administrative experience and are accountable to national ministries and agencies for performance, budgeting, and policy implementation at the district level. The position is an important link in Bhutan’s decentralized governance system, balancing national oversight with local development needs and community participation.