162 excluded BCS candidates finally get jobs

A total of 162 candidates from the 43rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) batch, excluded despite recruitment recommendations, have finally secured government jobs after more than five months of protests, including a hunger strike.

The public administration ministry released the notification on Tuesday, confirming the appointments.

Still, 65 cleared candidates remain left out.

On Dec 30, 2024, the interim government dropped 227 candidates from the second phase of the BCS recruitment notification.

Of the 2,163 initially recommended for appointment, 1,896 were included in that round.

From Jan 1 this year, affected candidates began demonstrating for reinstatement.

Most recently, several began an indefinite hunger strike on Apr 29, pressing for their inclusion and a formal verification policy.

Earlier, on Jan 2, the ministry had said the 227 dropped candidates were deemed “temporarily unsuitable” based on intelligence agency reports.

They were allowed to apply for reconsideration.

The 43rd BCS circular was issued on Nov 30, 2020.

Following preliminary, written and viva exams, the Public Service Commission (PSC) recommended 2,163 for recruitment on Dec 26, 2023.

After verification, 99 were dropped and 2,064 were appointed through the first gazette published on Oct 15 last year.

The order was scrapped on Dec 30, excluding 267 candidates: 40 for missing medical exams and 227 based on intelligence reports, leaving 1,896 in the revised list.