Uzbekistan to introduce corruption-resilience testing for officials and civil service candidates

Uzbekistan will introduce a nationwide system to assess the resilience of officials and civil service candidates to corruption risks from 2026, according to a presidential decree adopted this week.

The reform aims to strengthen integrity in state institutions, enhance transparency in public administration and create clearer, merit-based recruitment mechanisms.

The decision follows persistent concerns over institutional integrity. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, Uzbekistan ranks 121st of 180 countries with a score of 32/100, indicating systemic vulnerabilities that affect governance and public trust. Officials say the new system is designed to address these shortcomings through early screening and continuous assessment.

Phased Introduction of Testing

The Anti-Corruption Agency and its Centre for Leadership Assessment will implement the system in several stages:

• From 1 January 2026, testing becomes mandatory for officials working in internal anti-corruption control units. 
• From June 2026, the system expands to inspectorates and departments assessed as having medium or high corruption exposure.
• From January 2027, compulsory assessments cover all senior and mid-level positions across government bodies.

Officials who receive low scores will not be permitted to remain in high-risk positions and will be reassigned to roles with minimal corruption exposure. The government emphasises that this measure is intended to prevent conflicts of interest and strengthen internal accountability.

 The decree also modernises entry into public administration. From 2026, all vacancies will be published on the digital platform vacancy.gov.uz, where applicants must register for the integrity assessment. Individuals who pass the test may use their results for one year, enabling them to apply for multiple positions without retaking the exam.

 Authorities state that the new system aims to reduce informal hiring practices, broaden access to public service and ensure fair competition. It also introduces standardised performance indicators (KPIs) and rotation requirements for district administrations to make governance more results-driven.

 Regulators believe the combined measures—testing, transparent recruitment and performance monitoring—will help reduce corruption risks at both entry and senior levels of public administration. By institutionalising regular diagnostics, the government seeks to reinforce a culture of accountability and professional ethics.

 Officials argue that the reform represents a significant step towards building stronger public institutions capable of delivering responsive services. They also highlight its importance for strengthening public trust, which remains a key objective in Uzbekistan’s broader administrative modernisation efforts.

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