Approximately 2,69,000 posts in government jobs, spanning grades 13 to 16 (formerly class III) and 17 to 20 (formerly class IV), remain vacant. These shortages have disrupted government operations, leaving citizens without adequate services. To address this, the interim government has prioritised filling these directly employable positions promptly.
The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a letter urging all relevant ministries, departments, and subordinate offices to complete recruitment for these vacancies within one month. According to ministry data, annual vacancies in recent years have ranged from 3,50,000 to 5,00,000, with the majority—2,50,000 to 3,00,000—in grades 13 to 20.
Officials from the Ministry of Public Administration noted that the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year, triggered by a mass uprising of students and the public, plunged the administration into chaos. The subsequent interim government replaced officials in key positions, significantly slowing recruitment efforts. However, the current administration is now working tirelessly to meet public expectations, reduce unemployment among educated youth, and restore efficiency. As part of this effort, directives have been sent to all ministries and departments to expedite hiring.
While the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) oversees recruitment for grades 1 and 2, ministries and departments hold authority to directly appoint candidates to grades 13 to 20. Recently, Md Mokhles Ur Rahman, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, wrote to senior secretaries of all ministries, emphasising the need to start recruitment. The letter, titled "Regarding the Commencement of the Recruitment Process for Direct Employable Vacancies in Ministries/Divisions and Subordinate Offices Within the Next One Month," calls for swift action to enhance operational dynamism and improve public services.
Latest statistics from the Ministry of Public Administration reveal 4,73,011 total vacant posts, including 2,69,899 in grades 13 to 20.
Specifically, there are 1,44,654 vacancies in grades 13 to 16 (approved posts: 7,65,626; filled: 6,20,972) and 1,25,245 in grades 17 to 20 (approved posts: 5,18,783; filled: 3,93,538). Observers note that the stagnant recruitment process has kept vacancy numbers high.
Attempts to reach Senior Secretary Mokhles Ur Rahman for comment were unsuccessful. However, Md Erfanul Haque, Additional Secretary of the APD (Recruitment, Promotion, and Posting) Division, told Jago News, “Ministries and departments can directly appoint candidates to grades 13 to 20 without involving the PSC. We’ve instructed them to fill these posts within a month to boost efficiency and ensure proper service delivery. Several ministries have already begun the process and directed their subordinate offices to act.”
Agriculture Ministry Secretary Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian confirmed to Jago News, “We received the letter from the Ministry of Public Administration and have instructed our departments and organizations to start recruiting for these posts quickly. The process is underway.”
Vacancies in recent years
Ministry data highlights persistent staffing shortages:
- 2022: 5,03,333 total vacancies, including 3,34,000 in grades 13 to 20.
- 2021: 3,58,125 total vacancies, including 2,74,228 in grades 13 to 20.
- 2020: 3,80,955 total vacancies, including 2,94,422 in grades 13 to 20.
Progress on a new recruitment system
Allegations of irregularities—such as favouritism and bribery—in recruiting for grades 13 to 20 have long plagued the process. In response, discussions have emerged about establishing a dedicated commission for transparent hiring or extending PSC oversight to these grades, as with grades 1 and 2. The PSC submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Public Administration, which then formed an eight-member committee to review it and recommend a new framework.
The committee advocated for PSC-managed recruitment for grades 13 to 20. On May 28 last year, then-Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain told reporters that a decision would follow within three months. However, officials say the current interim government has yet to act on these recommendations.