United News of Bangladesh

The government has decided to establish two separate Public Service Commissions (PSCs) following discussions on delays and irregularities, according to Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyian, Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. "The most recent Cabinet meeting saw detailed discussions on the PSCs. After addressing concerns over delays and irregularities, the government decided to establish two PSCs," he wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday. He added, "I have conveyed their [student] demands to the authorities concerned. Although a meeting was scheduled with a team of protesters last Monday, unfortunately, it could not take place. Nevertheless, I have repeatedly forwarded their demands to the relevant authorities." Asif Mahmud further stated that in tackling unemployment, his ministry [LGRD] has issued the highest number of recruitment circulars after the police, and the recruitment process is ongoing. Over the next few months, at least 10,000 more appointments will be made, he wrote. The adviser added, “However, it is important to note that I do not hold the authority to make decisions or dictate matters regarding the PSC. I am doing everything within my capacity and will continue to do so, Insha'Allah." Regarding his engagement with student concerns, he said, "No matter how busy I am, addressing student issues remains my top priority. Nearly 10 days before the protests at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) escalated, a delegation visited me at my residence.” Dr Kamal urges vigilance against obstacles to nation-building effort He mentioned that he personally handed over their memorandum to the education adviser and worked to expedite the process of addressing their demands, adding, “It should not be assumed that work is not progressing simply because it is not being publicised on Facebook." He also wrote about his efforts during the ongoing protests at Dhaka University’s TSC, saying, "Many of those protesting at TSC are known to me personally. I did not hesitate to go there at 4–5am.” Additionally, he visited Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital to meet the family of Shaheed Jasim’s daughter, who tragically committed suicide; he said adding that he returned around dawn as very few people were present." Commenting on the rumours surrounding bail for the accused in the case, he clarified, "The news of the arrestees getting bail is incorrect. They are being held by the CID, and the Ministry of Law will ensure exemplary punishment." Finally, he added, "After office hours, I will visit the hunger-striking protesters at the Raju Sculpture. It is important to remember that the PSC is a constitutional, independent, and autonomous institution. Your demands have already been communicated, and I will again raise the matter with the concerned authorities."

The Ministry of Public Administration has announced that it is now accepting applications for reconsideration from candidates excluded from the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) recruitment process. This decision follows the issuance of a directive on Thursday, which opens the opportunity for all excluded candidates to apply for a review. According to the order, the Public Service Commission (PSC) had recommended 2,163 candidates for recruitment to various cadres under the 43rd BCS on January 25 last year. These recommendations were made after preliminary verifications by the Special Branch (SB) of the police and the respective district commissioners, as per Rule 4 of the BCS Recruitment Rules, 1981. Excluded candidates from 43rd BCS demand fresh gazette by Jan 5 Following further screening, a gazette notification on October 15 finalised the recruitment of 2,064 candidates. Grounds for Exclusion The gazette excluded 99 candidates, comprising 40 who were absent during medical examinations and 59 deemed ineligible based on agency reports. Concerns regarding the transparency and reliability of the recruitment process prompted further scrutiny. To address these concerns, the ministry decided to reassess the pre-appointment character verification of all 2,163 recommended candidates through the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikyo Parishad calls BCS new gazette 'discriminatory' Reports from the intelligence agencies revealed adverse remarks against 227 candidates regarding their character and suitability. Later, these candidates were temporarily deemed ineligible for appointment, with the ministry opting for additional investigation into their cases. Current Status Following the additional scrutiny, a final gazette was issued on 30 December, confirming the recruitment of 1,896 candidates. This figure accounts for the exclusion of the 40 candidates absent from medical examinations and the 227 candidates flagged for adverse remarks, totalling 267 exclusions. Reconsideration Opportunity The ministry’s latest directive ensures that any of the 227 temporarily excluded candidates can submit applications for reconsideration. The directive emphasises that this opportunity is open to all candidates seeking a review of their exclusion. 1,896 candidates appointed in revised 43rd BCS list; 168 excluded This move aims to restore confidence in the government recruitment process and ensure a fair and transparent selection procedure for all eligible candidates, officials said.

Candidates excluded from the previous gazette of the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) have demanded a fresh gazette by January 5 to facilitate their joining by January 15. The demand was made at a press conference held on Thursday at 12:30 PM in front of Dhaka University's Central Library. They expressed their frustration at the press conference organised under the banner of "Gazetted Officer Candidates Excluded from the 43rd BCS,". The candidates said on December 26, 2023, the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) recommended 2,163 candidates for 26 cadres. Following investigations, these candidates were gazetted on October 15, with a joining date initially set for November 17, which was later deferred to January 1. Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikyo Parishad calls BCS new gazette 'discriminatory' However, they said  222 candidates, including 168 listed in a second gazette issued on December 30, were ultimately excluded. Many of these excluded candidates have since become unemployed, they said. In a written statement, Masuma Akter Sithi, one of the excluded candidates, said, "The exclusion of 222 candidates and their families from the gazette has left them socially marginalized, deeply disappointed, and confused. Achieving an egalitarian Bangladesh through the July Revolution requires a merit-based civil service. Despite being recommended and gazetted earlier, our exclusion from the reissued gazette is unjust and contradicts the principles of the July Revolution." 1,896 candidates appointed in revised 43rd BCS list; 168 excluded Masuma recounted their protest at the Secretariat, saying, "Yesterday, we went to the Secretariat amid strict security measures. Three representatives from our group were allowed inside, but no one met with us. While we submitted a petition, we have yet to receive any response." "We have no political affiliations or criminal records. Despite this, we were excluded without explanation, leaving us feeling utterly helpless," she said. Shah Mohammad Raihan Mia, another excluded candidate recommended for the Education Cadre shared his frustration saying, "Our initial verification occurred under the previous government, and our first gazette included all of us after re-verification under the current government. Yet, we were later excluded without any clear reason."

BCS, non-cadre, and other jobseekers are in deep despair as the Public Service Commission (PSC) has effectively halted recruitment and promotion exams since the student uprising against the then Awami League government. The PSC, responsible for recruiting various government positions, has faced a complete standstill, affecting hundreds of thousands of jobseekers. The stalling of recruitment processes, including the viva voce for the 44th BCS and evaluations for the 45th BCS, has resulted in a significant backlog. Although the 46th BCS written exam was scheduled for this month, its status remains uncertain. Insiders claim the situation is improving since the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus has taken charge, with hopes for a return to normalcy. PSC officials reported that recruitment was halted during the student protests, leading to the suspension of both cadre and non-cadre exams. Currently, only recruitment and departmental exams are on hold, while some departmental activities continue. The oral exam for the 44th BCS was temporarily suspended after a special PSC meeting during the protests, with a new date to be announced later. The 44th BCS recruitment aims to fill 1,710 positions across various cadres, including administration, police, foreign affairs, and education. Amidst these challenges, Sarjis Alam, coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, has called for urgent reforms within the PSC and a swift resumption of job exams. He emphasized that the priorities of the youths who led the uprising must not be forgotten. The PSC is undergoing a reorganization, leading to the resignation of the chairman and 12 members on October 8, 2024, with more expected to follow. On October 9, Professor Dr Mobasser Monem was appointed as the new PSC chairman, alongside four other members, as announced by the Ministry of Public Administration. Initially, the PSC suspended recruitment exams on July 18 due to escalating tensions during the quota reform movement. While the written exam for the 45th BCS was completed, evaluations have stalled, and various recruitment and departmental promotion exams have been delayed. The first half-yearly departmental exam for BCS cadre and non-cadre officers, scheduled for September 14, was postponed, causing further distress for thousands of officers across different cadres. The PSC has not provided a revised schedule for the postponed exams, leading to uncertainties regarding the timely publication of the 47th BCS notice. Although the PSC aims to publish it by November 30, the Ministry of Public Administration has yet to make a decision. Candidates are concerned about potential age exemptions if delays continue.   A candidate for the viva of the 44th BCS told UNB that PSC's stagnation stems from the July uprising, highlighting delays in the gazette for the 43rd BCS, the unfinished viva for the 44th BCS, and uncertainty surrounding the 45th and 46th BCS exams. The candidate lamented the despair faced by hundreds of thousands of job seekers during this period of uncertainty. Another candidate noted that since the new government took over, PSC activities have been completely halted. A meeting on September 30 aimed to establish dates for all postponed BCS exams and restore normalcy, but recent resignations have reignited uncertainty. PSC Secretary Abdullah Al Masud Chowdhury told this correspondent that more resignations are expected soon at the PSC. He acknowledged the stagnation in PSC activities due to the change in government, resulting in a backlog of work. However, he expressed hope for starting the oral exam for the 44th BCS within a month. Regarding the 45th BCS, Chowdhury indicated that evaluations are ongoing, with the possibility of involving a third examiner if discrepancies arise. However, the timeline for starting the written exam for the 46th BCS remains unclear. On the 47th BCS notice, Chowdhury indicated that they are prepared and awaiting a demand letter from the Ministry of Public Administration. He assured that efforts are underway to conduct other recruitment and promotion exams promptly.

Former Public Service Commission (PSC) driver Syed Abed Ali and his son Sohanur Rahman Siam, along with 15 others, were arrested last night for their alleged involvement in a major exam question leak syndicate. This syndicate is believed to have been responsible for leaking question papers for over 30 recruitment exams, including BCS exams. The scandal has unveiled a syndicate involving six officials and employees of the Public Service Commission (PSC). Among the accused is Syed Abed Ali, a former driver for the PSC chairman, whose roots trace back to Botla village in the Dasar upazila of Madaripur district. Although known locally as a real estate businessman, Abed Ali’s alleged criminal activities have shocked his community. Residents of Botla village revealed that Abed Ali, the second of four children in a poor family, began working as a porter in Dhaka’s Sadarghat at the age of eight. He later learned to drive and secured a job at the PSC, which marked the beginning of his ascent to wealth. Ex-driver of PSC chairman among 17 arrested over question paper leak: CID The scandal has sparked outrage in Madaripur and beyond. Abdul Haque, a 45-year-old local resident, said, “Syed Abed Ali was known for his charitable donations. Last Eid, his son Siam distributed beef to households in the area, arriving in a luxury car. We had no idea about their involvement in such criminal activities. Justice must be served after a thorough investigation.” Siam apparently used to introduce himself as “son of a business magnate.” Abed Ali built a lavish house in his village, spending crores of taka. He has also allegedly occupied land to establish a cattle farm and market. Masud Parvez, president of the Madaripur Unnayan Sangram Parishad, commented, “The public should question those who amass wealth in suspicious ways.” Recruitment exam will be void if question leak allegations are true: PSC Chairman

Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Md Sohorab Hossain has said that the July 5 exam for the post of deputy assistant engineer of Bangladesh Railway will be void if the question paper was indeed leaked. "There have been allegations of question paper leaks over the past 12 years, but proving them now seems unlikely. However, if the allegations regarding the July 5 railway recruitment exam are proven, we will declare it void promptly. There is no doubt about it," he said during a press briefing at the PSC headquarters on Tuesday. Ex-driver of PSC chairman among 17 arrested over question paper leak: CID He also outlined procedural measures from paper distribution to ensuring secure delivery to examination centres. Regarding past allegations, he said that decisions on previous tests would be taken during commission meetings, emphasising the complexities involved in assessing exams conducted over the past 12 years under different leadership. Racket earned hundreds of crores of taka through medical admission test question leak in 17 years: CID "The commission will collectively decide on actions pertaining to previous tests. It's a legal matter to determine whether we have jurisdiction to annul past examinations, which requires careful consideration," added the PSC chairman. Medical admission question leak: Doctor arrested in Khulna

Hundreds of non-cadre candidates of the 40th BCS on Monday (October 31, 2022) formed a human chain in front of the head office of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the city to demand that authorities reinstate previous appointment policies of the commission and repeal new procedures of the non-cadre appointment. Read more: Tougher punishment for leaking PSC question papers, law coming They demanded that the commission repeal the new appointment policy for the non-cadres of the 40th-44th BCS, provide all posts of the 40th BCS non-cadres which have been given to the 36th-38th BCS non-cadres.

The High Court on Tuesday cleared the way for holding the 41st Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) preliminary examination on March 19, dismissing a writ petition seeking postponement of the test.

President Abdul Hamid on Sunday asked the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) to recruit third and fourth class employees through the PSC. 

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued circulars of the 42nd and the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) exams.