The purpose of the committees includes taking submissions, hearing witnesses, discussing matters in detail and formulating reasoned conclusions. Committees encourage and enable the National Assembly members to develop special interest and expertise in particular aspects of policy and legislative matter. They investigate, legislate, review and draw attention to any important matter that are referred to them and give advice.

An important function of the committees is to scrutinise government activity including legislation, the conduct of public administration and policy issues. Committees may oversee the expenditure of public money and they may call the Government or the public service to account for their actions and ask them to explain or justify administrative decisions.

A committee may consist of a group of Members elected by the National Assembly of Bhutan. Through its committees the National Assembly obtains information from Government agencies and advice from experts on matters under investigation.