A high-powered commission has recommended sweeping reforms to the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination process, aiming to streamline public administration by restructuring various cadres and merging services.
The goal is to create a more efficient and transparent recruitment system.
The proposal includes a strict one-year timeline for completing the BCS recruitment process, with cadres restructured based on functional similarities. It also calls for enhanced transparency in assessments.
The recommendations were formally submitted to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday by Abdul Muid Chowdhury, head of the Public Administration Reform Commission, alongside other commission officials.
Restructuring, merging cadres
The proposal suggests merging smaller cadres into larger ones to improve efficiency.
Specifically, the BCS (Trade) cadre would be absorbed into the BCS (Customs and Excise), and BCS (Food) and BCS (Cooperative) may be integrated into the Bangladesh Administrative Service.
Future recruitment in these merged cadres could be discontinued.
Additionally, the creation of a new Bangladesh Forest and Environment Service is proposed by merging BCS (Forest) cadre officers with environment officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
The BCS (Postal) Service, which is losing relevance in the digital age, is also under review for gradual phase-out, with the government tasked with assessing its necessity.
To address disparities between cadre and non-cadre positions, the commission recommends establishing three separate public service commissions, each led by a chairman and eight members. This would streamline recruitment across different service sectors.
Revamped BCS examination structure
The commission proposes a revised written examination syllabus, which would consist of six compulsory subjects: Bangla, English, Bangladesh’s constitution, history, international affairs, and science and technology, along with social and environmental studies. These subjects would carry a combined total of 600 marks, with the following distribution:
- Bangla and English composition: 100 marks each
- English précis and composition: 100 marks
- Bangladesh’s constitution, history and culture: 100 marks
- International affairs and current affairs: 100 marks
- Science, technology, society, environment, and geography: 100 marks
Candidates must also choose six optional subjects, each carrying 100 marks, but with a restriction of no more than two subjects from the same discipline.
A new integrity test is proposed as an initial screening tool to assess candidates’ problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and psychological traits.
The passing threshold for the BCS exam is set at 60%.
Candidates failing the exam three consecutive times would be barred from future attempts. To ensure transparency, final results will include a detailed breakdown of marks to reduce confusion among applicants.
Restructuring and expanding services
The commission emphasizes integrating ICT officers into the Information and Communication Technology Service for better utilization of digital expertise.
Additionally, BCS (Information Engineering) officers may be incorporated into the ICT Service.
Another key recommendation is prioritizing revenue and customs officials for trade counselor positions in Bangladesh’s foreign missions, as they are responsible for overseeing 80% of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement provisions.
The BCS (Audit and Accounts) cadre is also targeted for significant restructuring, with the proposal to split it into two distinct services: the Bangladesh Accounts Service and the Bangladesh Audit Service.
To ensure fair promotion opportunities, the commission suggests merging three sub-cadres of BCS (General Information) into a unified structure.
Furthermore, the introduction of a Superior Executive Service would recruit highly skilled officials for senior Secretariat roles.
A broader restructuring initiative is proposed to unify 13 of the 45 director positions and Assistant News Controllers under a single merit-based promotion list, eliminating inconsistencies in career advancement.
Completing the BCS process within a year
The commission strongly recommends that the entire BCS recruitment process be completed within one year to expedite government hiring.
The current process is excessively lengthy, leading to significant delays in appointments. The proposed annual examination calendar would follow this timeline:
- BCS exam notification: Second week of January
- Preliminary examination: First week of April
- Preliminary exam results: First week of May
- Main written exam: Second half of June (lasting 10 days)
- Written exam results: Second week of December
- Oral and psychological assessments: January-February of the following year
- Final results: Third week of April
- Health check-ups and police verification: Third week of May
- Appointment gazette: Second week of June
- Newly recruited officers join ministries: July 1
- Foundation training at PATC: First week of August
The commission also recommends enacting a legally binding, merit-based recruitment and promotion policy in public administration to prevent arbitrary changes.
