The Government of Bangladesh has announced a significant reduction in application fees for the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations and other government jobs. A notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Wednesday, December 11, confirmed the changes. Following consultations with the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC), the “Bangladesh Civil Service (Age, Eligibility, and Direct Recruitment Examination) Rules, 2014” were amended to formalize the decision. The new fee structure has been made effective retroactively from November 27.

Previously, the application fee for the BCS examination was set at 700 Taka. Under the revised policy, this has been reduced to 200 Taka, making the process more accessible to aspiring candidates. The notification is part of broader reforms aimed at easing the financial burden on job seekers and streamlining the recruitment process for government jobs.

In addition to the fee reduction, changes have also been made to the structure of the BCS examination. The oral examination, previously worth 200 marks, will now carry 100 marks. Consequently, the total marks for the BCS examination have been revised from 1,100 to 1,000. This adjustment reflects an effort to recalibrate the evaluation process and ensure a more balanced approach to assessing candidates.

The notification also confirmed amendments to the maximum age limit for entering government service. The revised rules have set the upper age limit for government job applicants at 32 years. This follows a recent decision by the government to address long-standing demands from job seekers for increased age eligibility.

The Ministry of Public Administration emphasized that these changes aim to make the application process for government jobs more inclusive and efficient. By reducing fees and adjusting the examination framework, the government seeks to encourage wider participation from candidates across diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

The previous fee of 700 Taka was often considered a financial hurdle for many applicants, particularly those from less privileged sections of society. The reduction to 200 Taka is expected to significantly ease this burden and allow a larger number of candidates to participate in the competitive examination process.

The decision to reduce the marks for the oral examination also stems from feedback regarding the weightage of this segment. The restructured format now allocates greater focus to the written examination, which is considered a more objective assessment of candidates’ knowledge and analytical abilities.

The increase in the maximum age limit to 32 years addresses concerns raised by candidates regarding delays in completing academic qualifications and other challenges that have hindered timely entry into the job market. The government’s decision aligns with demands to provide greater flexibility to job seekers and to accommodate a larger pool of qualified individuals.

The notification has been welcomed by job aspirants across the country, many of whom have long called for reforms in the recruitment process. The changes are expected to make government jobs more appealing and accessible, particularly for younger candidates and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The BPSC and other relevant authorities have been tasked with ensuring the seamless implementation of these reforms. Training and orientation programs are being planned to familiarize officials with the revised rules and to address any challenges that may arise during the transition phase.

With the new policies now in effect, candidates preparing for upcoming government job examinations are likely to benefit from the reduced fees and updated examination structure. The reforms underscore the government’s commitment to creating a fair and inclusive recruitment process that caters to the aspirations of the nation’s youth.