Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nofel has recommended that the age limit for entry into government jobs should be pushed back to 35, with another 2 years (37) allowed for quota positions. The Education Minister has sent a letter to his counterpart, Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain, with this recommendation. The age limit for entry into government service is 30 at present (32 under various quotas including freedom fighters, etc). In the letter, the Education Minister said that the students have been protesting on the streets for a long time regarding the demand to make the age limit of job application minimum 35 years according to international standards. In 2018, Bangladesh Awami League's election manifesto on page 33 stated that 'proper steps will be taken considering merit and ability to increase the age limit for entry into government jobs'. Read more: Age limit raised by 3 years and 3 months for entering govt service; not applicable for BCS It further states, "In reality, the age limit for applying jobs at all levels in Bangladesh was raised from 27 years to 30 years in 1991, 33 years ago, when the average life expectancy of people in Bangladesh was 57 years. At present, the average life expectancy of people in Bangladesh has increased to 73 years, so it is logical to increase the age limit for applying for jobs." Nofel wrote that the age limit for applying for jobs in about 162 countries of the world is at least 35 years, among South Asian countries, our neighboring country India is the most populous country in the world, but the maximum age limit for applying for jobs is 45 years in different states, 45 years in Maldives, 45 years in Sri Lanka, 35 years in Nepal, 35 years in Afghanistan. The developed countries of the world, including India, have done a lot of research about the age limit and increased it to about 35 years according to international standards. In order to eliminate unemployment and create a developed smart Bangladesh, it is important to make students skilled at international standards and also to create opportunities to enter the international job market. In such cases, the maximum age limit for application in all Ministries, Departments, Directorates  and Autonomous, Nationalized Institutions at various levels of employment is minimum 35 years as per International Standards (37 years for  BJS, Doctors, Freedom Fighters Quota), Sub Inspector of Police and in case of appointment of sergeant, opportunity to participate in examination up to 30 years. The Education Minister requested the Minister of Public Administration to take necessary steps considering the issue of opening the age limit in research and various special skill fields as per the government policy. Read more: Police attack age limit protest rally in Shahbagh

Considering the Covid-19 fallout, the government has raised the maximum age limit by three years and three months for entering government service. The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard today. This will not be applicable for BCS exams under Public Service Commission (PSC), said the circular. As per the notification, job seekers who reached the highest age limit on March 25, 2020 can apply at government offices – including ministries, departments and subordinate offices, autonomous and nationalised institutions – that were unable to issue recruitment circular due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They can apply for government job circulars issued until June 30, 2023. Read:40th BCS final results published According to Public Administration Ministry, the government offices could not publish any recruitment circular in recent months due to the pandemic. During this period, many aspirants have become ineligible for government jobs due to the prevailing age restrictions.    

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain on Tuesday told Parliament that the government has no plan to raise the maximum age limit for taking up government jobs. Defending the government’s stance, he said if the age limit is raised, the competition will intensify creating a frustration among the jobseekers aged below 30 amid the low vacant posts. “Right now the government has no plan to raise the age limit for entering the government services,” said the state minister replying to a tabled question from BNP MP Mosharof Hosen (Bogura-4). Also read: Rules don’t permit to address govt officials as sir or madam: Farhad Farhad said now there is no serious session jams in different educational institutes, including universities, as in the past when a student normally completed SSC at the age of 16 years, HSC at 18 years and graduation at 23-24 years. The students get some 6-7 years in hand to apply for government jobs, he said.

The ministry of public administration has proposed to increase the maximum age limit to enter government jobs by 21 months from current limit of 30 years due to prolonged academic life caused by Covid-19 restrictions. The proposal has been sent to the prime minister, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday. Read: Age limit relaxed for govt jobs except BCS He said, “We have taken several initiatives for people of different classes and professions to make up for the loss caused by corona. A new proposal for government job seekers has been sent to the prime minister. “ “We did the same last year. We relaxed the age limit allowing candidates who turned 30 after March 25 to apply for government jobs.” Farhad also said those who turned 30 on March 25 last year (2020) will also get the benefit. He said they will get age exemption up to 21 months. It's a big deal. If the Prime Minister approves, we will issue a notification in this regard.” At present the age limit for entry into government service is 30 years, which is 32 years for the children of freedom fighters. Read: Age limit in govt jobs likely to be eased for pandemic: Ministry The government increased the age limit by five months in the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic last year. Asked what the government's next strategy would be if the corona infection situation deteriorates further, Farhad,” We will consider both strategies. We may impose a lockdown if needed but also brainstorm about how to restrict transmission without enforcing strict restrictions considering the economy and livelihood.”

A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Sunday seeking its directive to raise the maximum age limit for entry into Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) jobs to 32 years from existing 30.