The Department of Youth Development has suspended its recruitment examination for the post of Assistant Upazila Youth Development Officer following allegations that the question paper had been leaked ahead of the test.

The decision was announced on Saturday, 10 October, after claims of a possible leak began circulating on social media just hours before the scheduled examination. The allegations prompted the department to halt the recruitment process, which was due to take place at multiple centres across the capital.

Md Mazharul Haque, Assistant Director (Administration-5) at the Department of Youth Development, confirmed the suspension to Prothom Alo at around 11.15am on Saturday. He said a new examination date would be announced within the next two to three days.

The examination had been scheduled to begin at 11am for recruitment to the 11th-grade position of Assistant Upazila Youth Development Officer. A total of 242 posts were available, with arrangements made to hold the test at approximately 100 examination centres in Dhaka.

However, allegations of a possible question paper leak emerged on the night before the examination. Several people posted claims on social media, bringing the issue into public attention before candidates were due to sit the test. With concerns spreading shortly before the scheduled start, the department decided to suspend the examination.

The suspension leaves candidates waiting for a revised schedule and further instructions from the recruiting authority. Those who had prepared to attend the examination will need to follow the department’s official announcements for information about the new date and any related arrangements.

Question paper security is a central concern in competitive recruitment examinations, particularly when a large number of candidates are competing for a limited number of public-sector positions. Allegations of a leak can raise concerns about equal opportunities for candidates and the credibility of the selection process.

However, the circulation of allegations on social media does not, by itself, establish that a question paper was actually leaked. No conclusive findings on the claims were available in the information provided, and the department had not announced a final determination on their authenticity at the time of the suspension announcement.

The immediate priority for candidates is the announcement of the revised examination date. According to Mazharul Haque, the department expects to communicate the new schedule within two to three days. Further details about the examination will depend on subsequent official announcements.