The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC), one of the country’s most prestigious recruitment bodies, is now under intense scrutiny. Eight months have passed since police recovered leaked question papers from the homes of PSC officials, yet no significant action has been taken against those involved. The Commission’s silence and inaction have sparked widespread frustration and protest.
Question Papers Found in PSC Officials’ Homes
In a raid conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) nearly eight months ago, handwritten question papers for the 10th-grade recruitment exams under the Department of Public Health Engineering and the Public Works Department were recovered from the residences of PSC officials. A subsequent review by the PSC confirmed that these matched word-for-word with three sections of the actual written exams—Bangladesh Affairs, International Affairs, and Science & Technology.
According to PSC’s internal policy, question papers are supposed to remain sealed and locked in official custody. Their presence in private homes constitutes a serious breach of protocol.
A Widespread Leak Network
The scandal runs deeper. In July 2023, the CID arrested 17 individuals—including PSC staff and external collaborators—on charges related to question paper leaks. Among the arrestees was former PSC driver Abed Ali, who admitted to being part of a network that leaked questions for the 33rd to 45th BCS exams as well as various non-cadre recruitments.
At the center of this operation was Md. Mizanur Rahman (alias “Mizan”), a former binder at the Bangladesh Government Press. For over two decades, he allegedly smuggled out question papers using internal contacts and sold them to paying candidates across the country, often with the help of political operatives and educators. Most of the key figures in this ring remain at large.
Proof of Leaks in 46th BCS Exam
CID investigations revealed that at least 15 candidates in the 46th BCS preliminary exam had memorized leaked questions the night before the test. Despite concrete evidence, including digital data and guesthouse entry logs, PSC neither canceled the exam nor disqualified the candidates. In fact, the Commission later revised the results—doubling the number of successful candidates from around 10,000 to over 21,000. Shockingly, even those who had failed initially but had access to leaked questions were declared passed in the revised results.
Protests and Exam Postponement
The controversy sparked nationwide outrage. Candidates staged protests and hunger strikes near Shahbagh, demanding justice and reform. Under mounting pressure, the PSC postponed the 46th BCS written exam, which was originally scheduled for May 8.
Blame Game Between PSC and CID
A war of words has broken out between PSC and CID. PSC claims they received no usable information from CID, making it difficult to take action. CID, on the other hand, says the PSC has been uncooperative and slow to respond, even failing to maintain proper communication.
CID officials assert they have video footage and testimony proving that candidates memorized leaked questions the night before the exam, yet PSC has taken no steps against them.
Government to Split PSC
In response to the growing crisis, the interim government has decided to split the PSC into two separate bodies. Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, confirmed this in a Facebook post. He stated that the cabinet discussed PSC’s inefficiencies and the need for reform, and that student demands have been communicated to relevant authorities.
This unfolding scandal not only undermines the credibility of the PSC but also threatens the integrity of Bangladesh’s entire public recruitment system. Without urgent reforms and accountability, merit-based employment could become a casualty of systemic corruption
