24-hour ultimatum to defer BCS written exam

Job seekers have alleged that police attacked their programme demanding the postponement of the written test schedule for the 47th BCS examination. Around 12 pm on Sunday, November 10, as part of the “Long March to PSC” programme, job seekers gathered in front of the Public Service Commission (PSC) building. When police requested them to leave after about half an hour and they refused, the situation escalated. Police then used batons and water cannons to disperse the protesters, leaving several injured, according to eyewitnesses.

Later in the evening, the job seekers held a press conference in front of the DUCSU building at Dhaka University, demanding that the written test for the 47th BCS be delayed by at least two months. They gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the demand to be met. Protesters said, “Never before has a BCS written exam been held so quickly. We need more time to prepare. This is a fair demand from the students.”

According to the job seekers, previous BCS exams allowed three to six months for written preparation, but this time only 40 days were given. They fear that this will affect merit-based competition.

Regarding the issue, PSC Chairman Professor Mobasser Monem said, “Our goal is to complete one BCS within a year. That is what we are working towards. There are no plans to change the exam date. However, the question papers will be of improved quality, and everyone will get equal opportunity.”

The 47th BCS written test is scheduled to begin on November 27.