Applicants excluded after passing civil service examination, minorities protest

The Ministry of Public Administration released an initial list of successful candidates, which was revised without explanation leaving out 99 applicants. Some had quit their job pending the official government announcement. Several Christians spoke to AsiaNews about the injustice they suffered.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Scores of candidates who had previously been successful in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination found themselves excluded. At least 71 of them are from minority communities (Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists).

The Ministry of Public Administration published the first list of successful candidates on 15 October 2024, with 168 names. However, a second list, released on 30 December 2024, excluded 99 names from the initial list, on the ground that 45 candidates had failed to take a medical exam while 54 had failed security clearance.

Excluding candidates after they past the first stage is quite rate, except in case of irregularities or the candidate has committed some offences.

The exclusion has raised doubts about the transparency of the process. The Public Services Commission (PSC) and the Ministry of Public Administration have not yet issued official statements.

Organised by the PSC, the BCS examination is highly competitive, and designed to recruit staff for the administration, police, tax office and foreign affairs.

Excluding so many candidates is unprecedented and sparked criticism on social media where users questioned why candidates already selected were later excluded.

Some 227 candidates were left out based on reports from intelligence agencies, while another 40 were disqualified for being absent during their medical examination, said yesterday Md Uzzal Hossain, assistant secretary at the Ministry of Public Administration.

Some of the candidates excluded from the 43rd BCS examination held a press conference at Dhaka University, calling for their reinstatement by 5 January and appointment by 15 January.

“The administration did not explain why we were excluded, despite our efforts to get answers," said Md Raihan Bhuiyan. “We urge the government to address this injustice."

Many of the excluded spoke to AsiaNews expressing anger and disappointment, saying that they were victims of arbitrary decisions. Some had resigned from their job, expecting to get an official appointment with the government, based on the first list.

“I don't know what my fault is. I dreamt of becoming a BCS cadre, but now I feel hopeless,” said Sunny Subol Chambugong, a 31-year-old Catholic from the Diocese of Mymensingh. He stressed that he had no political affiliations and asked his case be reconsidered.

Mosammat Nasrin Sultana, from Shailkupa in Jhenaidah, the first to graduate in her family, was  included in the first list. She quit her job in the private sector for a government position.

“No one in my family knows how to study. I am the first graduate in the village. I studied hard thanks to scholarships from NGOs. Why was this done to me?” she said in tears. "My parents are devastated and cannot accept this injustice," she added.

Sadia Alam, a graduate of Khulna University, was initially appointed to a position in the agricultural field, but was later excluded. "I worked hard to get here, staying away from politics. Why was my name deleted?” she asked, noting that her family supported the Awami League.

Professor Mujibur Rahman of Dhaka University criticised the decision. In his view, “Excluding someone based on religion, region, gender, caste or political views is a terrible injustice."

Sharmin Ahmed, also at Dhaka University, warned that arbitrary decisions without explanation discourage young people and undermine trust in the system. “Those selected after a thorough evaluation should remain in the service, unless a legal violation is proven," he explained.

• bangladesh
• public sector
• employment
• examination
• exclusion
• minorities