1.
Introduction: The
Bangladesh Public
Service Commission
(BPSC) is a constitutional
body in
Bangladesh responsible
for the recruitment of
civil servants. Established
under the Constitution of
Bangladesh, the BPSC
conducts examinations
and selections for various
government positions,
including administrative,
police, foreign, customs,
and other services. The
BPSC conducts
competitive
examinations, such as
the Bangladesh Civil
Service (BCS) exams,
to recruit
candidates for various
government posts. The
commission advises the
government on matters
related to the terms and
conditions of service of
civil servants, including
promotions, transfers,
and
disciplinary actions. The
BPSC ensures that the
recruitment process is
transparent, fair, and
based
on merit. It may also be
involved in training and
capacity-building
initiatives for civil
servants to
enhance their efficiency
and effectiveness. The
BPSC plays a crucial
role in maintaining the
integrity and efficiency of
the public administration
in Bangladesh by
ensuring that the
recruitment
and selection process is
conducted fairly and
transparently.
2. History of the
Bangladesh Public
Service Commission
(PSC):
The Bangladesh Public
Service Commission
(BPSC) stands as a
cornerstone of the
nation's civil
service, ensuring a
meritocratic system for
government recruitment.
Its history, however, is
intertwined with the
broader political
landscape of the
subcontinent.
Bangladesh Public
Service
Commission is a quasi-
judicial constitutional
body established in
1972. The commission
is
responsible for the
recruitment of civil
service servants in the
Bangladesh government.
It was
formed under Section
137 of Part IX, Chapter II
of the Constitution of
Bangladesh
2.1.The Seeds of Public
Service Commissions
(PSCs) in British India
(1926-1947):
The concept of a Public
Service Commission
emerged in British India
with the Government of
India Acts of 1919 and
1937. On October 1st,
1926, the central-level
PSC was established,
followed by the Bengal
PSC at the provincial
level on April 1st, 1937.
These commissions
operated
with a focus on legal
mandates, aiming to
uphold reputation,
integrity, and
proficiency in
recruitment. This
tradition continued even
under the Pakistani
military rule that followed
India's
independence in 1947.
2.2.Birth of a Nation,
Duality of Commissions
(1972):
The emergence of
Bangladesh in 1972
necessitated the
establishment of an
independent system
for government
recruitment. On May 9th,
1972, two PSCs were
formed in Dhaka by
merging the
entire structure of the
East Pakistan PSC and
the Regional Office of
the Central PSC (Karim,
2007). This initial
"duality" reflected the
nascent state of the
newly formed nation.
2.3.Unification: A Single
BPSC (1977):
The need for a unified
recruitment system
became evident. In
November 1977, the
government
enacted the Bangladesh
Public Service
Commission Ordinance
1977. This ordinance
aimed to
establish a single,
centralized commission,
dissolving the previously
existing PSC (First) and
PSC
(Second). The ordinance
came into effect on
December 22nd, 1977,
officially establishing the
Bangladesh Public
Service Commission
(UNDP, 2005). This
singular BPSC inherited
all the
functions previously
entrusted to the two
separate commissions.
The Bangladesh Public
Service Commission
(BPSC) stands as a
testament to the
nation's
commitment to a
meritocratic civil service.
Its history, rooted in the
legacy of British India,
evolved
alongside the political
landscape of the
subcontinent. From the
initial duality of
commissions
reflecting the birth
pangs of a new nation
to the present-day
single entity, the BPSC
has
consistently strived to
uphold its constitutional
mandate. Looking ahead,
the commission faces the
challenge of adapting to
a changing technological
landscape while
maintaining its core
principles
of fairness and efficiency.
By adhering to its core
values, the BPSC will
continue to play a vital
role in ensuring a
competent and well-
functioning Bangladeshi
civil service.
Constitutional Mandate of
Bangladesh Public
Service Commission
(BPSC
3.1 Establishment of
commissions
137. Provision shall be
made by law for
establishing one or more
public service
commissions for
Bangladesh, each of
which shall consist of a
chairman and such other
members as shall be
prescribed by law.
3.2.Appointment of
members
138. (1) The chairman
and other members of
each public service
commission shall be
appointed
by the President:
Provided that not less
than one half of the
members of a
commission shall be
persons who have
held office for twenty
years or more in the
service of any
government which has at
any time
functioned within the
territory of Bangladesh.
(2) Subject to any law
made by Parliament the
conditions of service of
the chairman and other
members of a public
service commission shall
be such as the President
may, by order,
determine.
3.3.Term of office
139. (1) The term of
office of the chairman
and other members of a
public service
commission
shall, subject to the
provisions of this article,
expire five years after the
date on which he entered
upon his office, or when
he attains the age of
1[sixty five] years,
whichever is earlier.
(2) The chairman and
other members of such a
commission shall not be
removed from office
except in like manner
and on the like grounds
as a Judge of the
2[Supreme Court].
(3) A chairman or other
member of a public
service commission may
resign his office by
writing
under his hand
addressed to the
President.
(4) On ceasing to hold
office a member of a
public service
commission shall not be
eligible for
further employment in
the service of the
Republic, but, subject to
the provisions of clause
(1)-
(a) A chairman so
ceasing shall be eligible
for re appointment for
one further term; and
(b) A member (other than
the chairman) so ceasing
shall be eligible for re
appointment for
one further term or for
appointment as chairman
of a public service
commission.
3.4.Functions of
commissions:
140. (1) The functions of
a public service
commission shall be –
(a) To conduct tests and
examinations for the
selection of suitable
persons for appointment
to
the service of the
Republic
(b) To advise the
President on any matter
on which the commission
is consulted under clause
(2) or on any matter
connected with its
functions which is
referred to the
commission by
the President; and
(c) such other functions
as may be prescribed by
law.
(2) Subject to the
provisions of any law
made by Parliament, and
any regulation (not
inconsistent
with such law) which may
be made by the President
after consultation with a
commission, the
President shall consult a
commission with respect
to –
(a) Matters relating to
qualifications for, and
methods of recruitment
to, the service of the
Republic;
(b) The principles to be
followed in making
appointments to that
service and promotions
and
transfers from one
branch of the service to
another, and the
suitability of candidates
for
such appointments,
promotions and transfers
(c)matters affecting the
terms and conditions
(including pension rights)
of that service; and
(d)he discipline of the
service.
3.4.Annual report
141. (1) Each commission
shall, not later than the
first day of March each
year, prepare and
submit to the President a
report on the
performance of its
functions during the
period ended on
st
the previous 31 day of
December.
(2) The report shall be
accompanied by a
memorandum setting
out, so far as is known to
the
commission-
(a) The cases, if any, in
which its advice was not
accepted and the reasons
why it was not
accepted;
(b) The cases where the
commission ought to
have been consulted and
was not consulted,
and the reasons why it
was not consulted.
(3) The President shall
cause the report and
memorandum to be laid
before Parliament at its
first meeting held after
31st March in the year in
which the report was
submitted.
