DHAKA - The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Bangladesh has postponed the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) written examinations, which were scheduled to start on November 27, due to ongoing political unrest and safety concerns. This decision comes after a series of blockades and violent incidents that have raised alarm among the candidates.
The PSC took this step in response to the heightened worries of candidates about reaching exam venues safely. Reports of violence, such as bomb explosions at Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre last Saturday and a bus arson incident in Cumilla on Monday, have intensified the fears. The aspirants, approximately 13,000 in number, have been dealing with the stress of navigating these risks to their safety.
Candidates like Nusrat Jahan and Rupak Ahmed had previously expressed concerns over gender-specific risks and police disruptions at temporary residences. They, along with others, had requested the postponement of the exams due to these issues and the proximity to the general election.
Despite initial resistance from the PSC, which included a unanimous decision to maintain the original schedule as recently as this Wednesday, public pressure and media reports have led to a change of heart. Ananda Kumar Biswas confirmed after a commission meeting that a public notification regarding the new dates for the exams would be issued on the PSC's website.
The recent political turmoil follows hartals since a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rally in Dhaka on October 28. The PSC's latest statement cited "unavoidable reasons" for the suspension of the exams. Candidates are advised to stay updated by checking the PSC's official website for announcements concerning the revised exam schedule.
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