The Public Service Commission has published a circular for recruitment tests of the 44th batch of Bangladesh Civil Service without considering time lapse due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All regular recruitments were suspended for one year and a half because of Covid pandemic when many job aspirants exceeded their job application age which is 30 years. In this backdrop, aspirants asked to extend the age limit for recruitment of at least two BCS batches, but the call fell into dumb’s ears. According to Section 14 of the BPSC regulations, a general applicant’s age limit is 30 for taking part in the BCS examination, and it is 32 years for children and grandchildren of freedom fighters. Against this backdrop, government job seekers are worried about the BCS age limit. They are now demanding an increase in the age limit, although the demand is nothing new.
For over a year, university students held demonstrations and conducted a campaign for increasing the age limit. Recently, a writ petition was filed with the High Court in this regard. Many prospective BCS applicants who have finished their studies would likely exceed the maximum age of eligibility owing to the shutdowns, to apply for government jobs. We know the unemployment rate is high, and many desperately seek their fortune abroad through migration by any means, no matter how risky it is? The pandemic has also created more unemployment and added new people to the rank of the poor. While BCS is considered the most prestigious job for graduates, middle-class students always prioritised this for a secured life. The pandemic has cost two years of their lives and shattered their dreams.
The incumbent government earlier said they would consider relaxing the age limit of applicants, who crossed the threshold during the shutdown when a fresh circular is released. The question of how the government will tackle this crucial matter remains unanswered. Under these circumstances, the government should come forward to create a special committee under the public service commission to evaluate the unprecedented situation and take appropriate steps in this regard. A reformed BCS recruitment system can be introduced and the age limit relaxed, at least for a particular period of time.
