United News of Bangladesh

The majority of the 267 candidates excluded from the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) recruitment process are expected to join their jobs, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Dr Md Mokhlesur Rahman has said. “The investigation has been completed, and we are working to finalise the process promptly,” Dr Mokhlesur Rahman said following a meeting with the affected candidates on Thursday. He said the reevaluation of their petitions is currently underway, expressing optimism about the reinstatement of most of the excluded candidates. Dr Mokhlesur Rahman also spoke about the government’s decision to introduce a dearness allowance for public officials and employees, a measure expected to be implemented soon. “The dearness allowance issue falls under the Ministry of Finance, but as a committee member, I can confirm that discussions have already progressed, with two meetings held. This allowance will be a significant step, and this time pensioners will also benefit, which wasn’t the case before,” he said. 43rd BCS: Meeting about excluded candidates Thursday He elaborated that the allowance would be adjusted with the basic salary during the next increment period, ensuring sustainable financial support for government employees. Responding to queries about the implementation timeline, Dr Mokhlesur Rahman assured that the allowance would be operational before the end of the current fiscal year. Ministry to reconsider applications of excluded 43rd BCS candidates “By June 30, or even earlier, Insha’Allah, this will come into effect,” he said, adding that financial advisors and the finance secretary would provide clarity on specific percentages and timelines.

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."

The Public Service Commission (PSC) on Sunday announced several important updates regarding the ongoing recruitment process for various BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service) exams. These changes come as part of efforts to ensure greater transparency and fairness in the selection process, following the formation of a new commission. 43rd BCS Gazette Published The PSC has published the gazette for the 43rd BCS, appointing a total of 2,064 candidates. The selected candidates are scheduled to join their respective positions on January 1 next. However, following the publication of the gazette, there has been widespread discussion and criticism regarding the selection process. To maintain the integrity of the recruitment, the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) are conducting additional background checks on the candidates to ensure that only those with clean records are appointed. 44th BCS Viva Controversy The viva voce for the 44th BCS had been ongoing before the commission’s reshuffling. Out of the 11,732 candidates who passed the written exams, 3,930 had already undergone the oral exam. However, following a review of the process, the new commission decided to cancel the previously conducted oral exams for these candidates in order to ensure greater transparency. As a result, a decision has been made to conduct fresh oral exams for all 11,732 successful candidates from the written exam. 45th BCS Written Exam Results Under Review For the 45th BCS, a total of 12,789 candidates passed the preliminary exam and proceeded to the written exam. After the first round of evaluation, the second examiner had almost completed reviewing the answer sheets. 43rd BCS: 2,064 appointed cadres asked to join office Jan 1 However, in the interest of fairness and transparency, the new commission has ordered that all written exam answer sheets be sent to a third examiner for evaluation. 46th BCS Written Exam Candidates Increased The preliminary exam results for the 46th BCS were published on 9th May, with 10,638 candidates selected for the written exam. To ensure fairness and eliminate any potential bias, the commission has decided to add an additional 10,638 candidates to the pool, bringing the total number of candidates eligible for the written exam to 21,276. This decision was made to provide equal opportunity and address any concerns regarding discrimination. 47th BCS Recruitment Process Underway Meanwhile, the PSC has sent a request to the Bangladesh Government to initiate recruitment for 3,487 positions in various categories under the 47th BCS. The recruitment advertisement is expected to be published soon. These reforms are part of the new commission's efforts to maintain integrity and transparency in the BCS recruitment process. The changes have garnered attention from various quarters, with many welcoming the move towards a more impartial and transparent system.  

The BNP on Thursday demanded cancellation of the gazette notification regarding the recruitment of 2,064 officials based on the final results of the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination held during the Awami League regime. The party also called for the scrapping of all the processes for the 44th, 45th, and 46th BCS to ensure that meritorious and deserving candidates are appointed through a fair and transparent process. “We demand the interim government to immediately revoke the gazette notification on the appointments made based on the 43rd BCS examinations results, which were conducted by a partisan commission during the fascist regime of the Awami League,” said BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he noted that there is a precedent for annulling BCS recruitment, referencing the interim government's actions in 2007 when it scrapped the appointments based on the results of the 27th BCS. He pointed out that the final results of the 27th BCS were revoked in the same context, and the then government subsequently completed the process issuing the recruitment circular after retaking viva exams. The BNP leader emphasised that the government could follow the example set by the 27th BCS appointment process regarding the 43rd BCS. The BNP leader said that the current interim government has recently issued a notification for the appointment of 2,064 candidates recommended by the politically biased Public Service Commission (PSC), which has acted as an ally of the fascist Awami government, for various BCS cadres. “This decision, made without thorough scrutiny and in the wake of a historic uprising by students and the masses that cost many lives, has left the people of the country stunned and disappointed, fueling widespread anger and concern among the citizens of the country,” he observed. At a time when there is a strong demand from various segments of the people, to ban the Chhatra League as a terrorist organisation, Salahudin said the subversive decision to rehabilitate members of that organisation into higher positions within the government administration through recruitment from the 43rd BCS is against national interest and security. “This is not acceptable at all.” A total of 321,650 candidates participated in the preliminary exam of the 43rd BCS on October 29, 2021. On December 26, 2023, the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) announced the final results, recommending the appointment of 2,805 individuals, including both cadre and non-cadre positions. Among them, 2,163 were awaiting appointment for cadre positions. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification appointing 2,064 candidates to various cadres. Within just 2 months of the people's bloody mass uprising, Salahuddin said the opportunity to expand the dominance of the Awami ghosts in the administration by appointing deposed Awami party loyalists without any proper scrutiny has become a big question. “We feel that this appointment is tantamount to deception and betrayal with the unforgettable sacrifices of the students in the anti-fascist movement,” he said. Salahuddin noted that out of the 9,000 candidates called for the oral examination of the 44th BCS, 3,000 have completed their tests during Sheikh Hasina's administration. The BNP leader also said the evaluation of written answers for the 45th BCS is nearing completion, while the preliminary exam for the 46th BCS took place three months ago. “We demand the complete cancellation of the recruitment processes for these three BCS exams to prevent the fascist Awami cliques and the cadre forces of their student organisation, Chhatra League, from infiltrating the state administration,” he said. He went on to say, "We must remember that there is no room for compromise on this issue. So, we have called for the cancellation of the 44th, 45th, and 46th BCS exams and for new examinations to be conducted.” He alleged that from 2009 to August 5, 2024, the fascist Awami League government established one-party dominance by appointing loyalists at all levels of administration, sidelining many qualified youth and exacerbating unemployment. Salahuddin, a former admin cadre, said the PSC was once a prestigious institution for national recruitment and a source of pride, but it has become a subservient party entity under prolonged fascist rule. “One day the institution which was led by the virtuous intellectuals of the country, became a den of the party cadres when the fascist regime came to power,” he said. The BNP leader said the blatant politicisation had reached a point where a former PSC chairman was made a dummy MP as a reward, and he is now a fugitive. “What could be more shameful for the nation than this?” Salahuddin said there have been widespread calls from job seekers and other stakeholders for reforming the PSC. “In response to these demands, it has been reported that the age limit for public job applications is being increased. We welcome this initiative, as it will provide an opportunity for some deserving candidates who have been left behind to apply for various jobs again,” he observed. The BNP said a new chairman and some members of the PSC have already been appointed in response to calls for reform. “We believe that PSC reforms should be fully implemented, and all recruitment processes should be conducted anew in a transparent manner, allowing job aspirants to benefit from the changes and restoring the nation's confidence and trust in the government recruitment process.” Salahuddin said the process of giving new jobs to different non-cadre posts of the 1st class, second, third and fourth classes, was started in various government and semi-government institutions during the Awami League government. “We believe that individuals who have already applied for these positions should be given the opportunity to continue, alongside an extended application period that allows others who are eligible to apply as well," he said.

Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) has rescheduled the date of the 43rd BCS preliminary examination for October 29 from October 15. The commission announced the change in a handout on Tuesday. Also read: 43rd BCS application deadline extended until June 30 Online registration for the preliminary test started on December 30 last year and will continue until June 30. This time, the government will recruit 1,814 officials, including 300 public administration cadres, 100 police cadres, 25 foreign service cadres and 843 education cadres. Also read: Also read: 42nd, 43rd BCS circulars published

The deadline for online application for the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination has been extended until June 30. Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) made the announcement in a media statement on Monday. Also read: 42nd, 43rd BCS circulars published Previously, the deadline for online application was March 31.

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