United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) on Wednesday (November 26) published the circular for the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, announcing 2,150 vacancies in total. Of these, 1,755 posts are allocated for different cadres while 395 are reserved for non-cadre positions. According to the notification, applications for the 50th BCS will open on December 4 and remain available until December 31. The preliminary examination is scheduled for January 30 with results expected on February 10. Read more: Youth held in Dinajpur over BCS question paper leak Candidates who qualify will sit for the written examination starting April 9 and the written results are set to be published on July 30. The viva-voce will begin on August 10 and the final results are slated for release on November 25, reads the notification.

A young man was detained from the Parbatipur station area in Dinajpur on charges of leaking question papers for the upcoming BCS examination. The accused Mohibul Islam, 25, is a resident of Uttar Atrai village in Palashbari union, Parbatipur upazila, and a student at a private university in Dhaka. Tipped-off, the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DMP DB) launched a shadow investigation into the alleged leak of the BCS exam paper scheduled for Friday. Upon learning of the probe, Mohibul reportedly left Dhaka and attempted to return home to Parbatipur by boarding the Panchagarh-bound intercity Ekota Express on Thursday morning (18 September). Using information technology, investigators tracked his journey and coordinated with railway police to identify him onboard. A team from the Dinajpur District Detective Branch (DB) then boarded the train at Birampur Railway Station and detained him near Parbatipur Station on Thursday evening. Rafiquzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Dinajpur DB, said that the suspect was handed over to the DMP Detective Branch later that night for further investigation.

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 Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday filed three cases against former Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) driver Syed Abed Ali Jiban, his wife and their son on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth over Tk 5 crore and unusual transactions amounting to Tk 45 crore. ACC Assistant Director Al Amin filed the cases with the commission’s Integrated Office, Dhaka-1, said ACC Director General Akhter Hossain. According to case documents, Syed Abed Ali Jiban is accused of conducting suspicious transactions totaling Tk 41.29 crore. He reportedly deposited Tk 20.88 crore across 12 bank accounts and withdrew Tk 20.41 crore. He is also alleged to have acquired assets worth Tk 3.72 crore beyond his known sources of income. Separate cases were filed against his wife, Shahrin Akhter Shilpi, and son, Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam. Shilpi is accused of depositing Tk 1.78 crore in two bank accounts and withdrawing Tk 1.77 crore, with total suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 3.56 crore. ACC starts investigation against its former commissioner Jahurul Haque Siam, a leader of the Chhatra League, has been charged with acquiring assets worth Tk 3.30 crore through unexplained means. The accused face charges under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012, for allegedly concealing the origins of their illegally obtained assets. Accused’s Backgrounds In July last year, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police arrested 17 people, including Abed Ali, in connection with a question paper leak scandal at the PSC. The ACC subsequently launched an investigation into Abed Ali’s activities. Abed Ali was dismissed from his job in 2014 after allegations of involvement in a question paper leak were proven. The written examination for the post of Assistant Maintenance Engineer under the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in the non-cadre category on April 22, 2014, was compromised when an examinee was caught with illegal answer sheets. ACC to investigate allegations of corruption in Third Terminal Project Investigations revealed Abed Ali’s active involvement in the malpractice, leading to his dismissal. Originally working as a porter, Abed Ali later became a driver at the PSC. Exploiting his position, he allegedly orchestrated a question paper leak ring and embezzled crores of taka, which he invested in businesses to pose as an industrialist in his locality. In a separate case, Abed Ali and his son, Siam, were arrested on charges of involvement in the question paper leak for the Bangladesh Railway recruitment exam for the post of Deputy Assistant Engineer. The arrests were made on July 9 at their flat on Wasa Road in Sheorapara, Dhaka, alongside two deputy directors, an assistant director and 15 others.

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."

Calling the new BCS gazette “discriminatory,” Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikyo Parishad said the publication of such a gazette is completely contrary to the aspirations of the recent anti-discrimination student and public movement. The organisation strongly condemned and protested the gazette, accusing it of reflecting a mindset of “religious hatred.” In a statement, it demanded immediate withdrawal of this gazette and the issuance of a new notification that includes all those excluded from the 43rd BCS. 1,896 candidates appointed in revised 43rd BCS list; 168 excluded Earlier, the Ministry of Public Administration published a new gazette on Monday (December 30) excluding the names of 168 individuals initially included in the first phase of the gazette for appointment as cadres in government jobs. Of the 168, 71 were from minority communities.

The marks for the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) viva have been reduced to 100 from 200. This decision was taken at a meeting of the Administrative Development Committee on Wednesday, said Md. Mokhles Ur Rahman, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration. He said the change was made in line with the new law of 2024 which also changed the total marks for the exam. Maximum application fee of Tk 200 set for for all govt jobs, including BCS "Previously, candidates had to appear for exams of 1100 marks, but under the new system, the total marks are now 1000 including 100 marks allotted for viva," he added. Earlier, a proposal to reduce the oral exam marks was submitted by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC). The decision to reduce the marks is aimed at eliminating loopholes and ensuring a fair recruitment process.

Application fees for all government jobs, including BCS, and recruitment in banks and insurance companies have been capped at a maximum of Tk 200. This decision was taken during the Secretary Committee on Administrative Development meeting on Wednesday, said Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Md Mokhlesur Rahman. BCS viva marks reduced to 100 The notification for the reduction of fees would be issued within a week. The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) would issue an order regarding the reduction of the application fee for BCS job seekers, he said. In addition, it was clarified that disabled applicants for BCS will no longer have to pay any extra amount beyond the set fee, in line with other applicants. "Earlier, the application fee for BCS in the PSC was Tk 700; they proposed Tk 350. However, today the Secretary Committee decided that it will be Tk 200. To apply for the 47th BCS at the PSC, Tk 200 will be required,” said the senior secretary. "Another issue was that we thought this was low, but it is not low – for disabled applicants, there was a separate fee of Tk 100. It was proposed to reduce this to Tk 50. They would pay this additional amount on top of the fee (like other applicants), as a special arrangement for them. From today, this additional amount will not need to be paid. This is a flat rate: for the 47th BCS and any BCS application, the fee will be Tk 200,” he added. Additionally, another order is being issued through the Finance Division, specifying that the application fee for jobs in banks, insurance companies, semi-government institutions, and entities referred to as extensions of the government will be capped at Tk 200. "Currently, there are many institutions in banks and insurance companies that charge application fees ranging from Tk 1,500 to Tk 2,000. For a job where only two people might get selected, perhaps 200 people apply, no one needs to pay Tk 1,000," Mokhlesur also said. “No application fee exceeding Tk 200 will be collected for government, semi-government, or extension of the government positions. This order will be issued by the Finance Division. Now, we are waiting for the notification order on this matter,” he said. 47th BCS circular published for 3,688 positions "We will also request in a letter from the Finance Division that private institutions try to follow this directive. This request could also be communicated by the Ministry of Public Administration,” he also added.

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.