The pursuit of excellence has long been celebrated in Bangladesh’s civil service examinations. Yet, in the 48th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Special Recruitment (2025), the nation’s brightest candidates are facing unexpected hurdles, raising urgent questions about fairness and procedural transparency.
Narayan Mallik of Nagar Kanda, Faridpur, epitomised resilience in the face of hardship. During the harsh winter months, he braved waist-deep icy waters to cast fishing nets, struggling to feed his family of three children and his wife. His singular dream was for his children to attain an education and live dignified lives.
His eldest son, Ujjwal Mallik, pursued this dream relentlessly. Excelling academically in both secondary and higher secondary examinations, he gained admission to Dhaka’s renowned Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College. After completing his MBBS, he was recommended for the 48th Special BCS based on merit.
However, Ujjwal’s achievements have yet to bear fruit. Despite his qualifications, his name was omitted from the final BCS gazette, reportedly due to an “invisible net” created by police verification.
Narayan Mallik told reporters, “Living in hardship has been normal for us. But when my son passed the BCS, we hoped for better days. Now we hear that the police issued a negative report in our name. What harm did Jaila or anyone else in our family cause to the country?”
Ujjwal is not alone. A total of 21 candidates, including notable names such as Pavel Rahman, Sirajam Munira, Shubhra Debnath, and Ilhamur Reza Chowdhury, were excluded from the final gazette. Many, like Munira, a student at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, report that they have never engaged in political activity, yet remain ensnared in the verification process.
Legal experts criticise such practices. Supreme Court lawyer Manzur-al-Matin stated, “Denying talented students their rightful opportunities due to family or political background contravenes the Constitution and principles of good governance. Recruitment must be based solely on merit and qualifications.”
The affected candidates submitted a formal complaint to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration on 25 January. The Ministry has promised to initiate a re-evaluation process.
48th Special BCS (2025) Summary
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Posts | 3,263 |
| Number of Candidates | 3,263 |
| Salary Scale (BDT) | 22,000–53,060 |
| Candidates Excluded from Gazette | 21 |
Until these procedural anomalies are addressed, the 21 candidates and their families remain in a state of uncertainty and distress, highlighting the urgent need for a merit-based, transparent recruitment system in Bangladesh.