522,000 government posts remain vacant

The crisis has reached an alarming level as the number of educated unemployed people continues to rise. At the same time, various ministries, divisions and their subordinate offices and agencies are facing a severe staff shortage. The government is taking strong measures to address both crises. As part of implementing the ruling party’s election manifesto and resolving bottlenecks and vacancies at various levels of the administration, the government has adopted a range of long term, medium term and short-term plans. Accordingly, efforts are underway to accelerate recruitment for thousands of vacant posts across different categories while also modernizing outdated recruitment rules.

A review of the agenda and progress report of the first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Public Administration, held on Wednesday, shows that ministries are taking multifaceted measures to improve efficiency at different levels of the administration, fill vacant posts and implement electoral commitments.

At the meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban under the chairmanship of committee chairman Saeed Ahmed, a detailed report was presented on the activities of offices and agencies under the Ministry of Public Administration. The committee recommended investigating projects under the ministry that are progressing slowly despite government budget allocations. It also recommended identifying anyone obstructing or neglecting the current government’s activities to implement the policy of “Bangladesh Above All” and taking necessary action against them.

According to the report submitted by the ministry to the parliamentary committee, government institutions across the country have 1,986,272 approved posts. Of these, 1,464,350 are occupied by officers and employees. This leaves 521,922 vacant posts across various government institutions.

A grade wise breakdown shows that the highest number of vacancies, 82,216, are in Grade 20. This is followed by 79,868 vacancies in Grade 16, 68,413 in Grade 10, 52,624 in Grade 11 and 49,984 in Grade 9. Recruitment to Grade 9 posts is conducted through the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination.

In addition, there are 42,035 vacant posts in Grade 13, 30,505 in Grade 14, 27,134 in Grade 15, 23,879 in Grade 19 and 20,968 in Grade 17.

Most of these vacant posts are in various government offices and directorates. These institutions have 301,152 vacant posts. Autonomous institutions and corporations have 199,384 vacancies, while ministries and divisions have 6,808. Another 14,578 posts are vacant in divisional and deputy commissioners’ offices.

The government has taken steps to fill the large number of vacancies across its institutions quickly. Ministries, divisions, directorates, authorities and state-owned institutions have already been asked to provide detailed information on the number of vacant posts in each office, which positions have recruitment approval, where recruitment notices have been published and the current stage of each recruitment process.

The Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Administration have begun collecting and verifying this information. As part of the process, various government institutions have been instructed to urgently submit updated information on vacant posts, approved organizational structures and ongoing recruitment activities.

The ministry said an initiative had been taken to modernize the Common Recruitment Rules 2019. The aim is not only to fill vacancies but also to eliminate disparities across different categories of the administration and ensure recruitment and promotion based on merit, integrity, competence and creativity.

In addition, recommendations have been made to formulate or amend 17 sets of recruitment rules and regulations for presentation to the Secretaries Committee on Administrative Development under the Ministry of Public Administration. These include rules and regulations concerning the Department of Fisheries, Dhaka North City Corporation, the Rural Development Academy (RDA), the Office of the Attorney General, the Rule Economy Cell of the Cabinet Division, the Department of Land Records and Surveys, the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.

Meanwhile, work is underway on the Government Service (Amendment) Act 2026. The government is also working on legislation to set the maximum age limit for direct recruitment to government jobs, autonomous institutions, statutory government authorities, public nonfinancial corporations and other self governing organizations.

According to the meeting agenda, a significant number of vacancies have been filled through new recruitment and promotions at the Ministry of Public Administration and its subordinate offices and agencies as part of the government’s 180-day plan. These include 981 posts in field administration, 1,045 posts in offices and agencies, and 35 posts in ministries, alongside recruitment to 261 vacant posts. The current achievement rate is approximately 86 percent.

At the same time, a time bound recruitment plan has been prepared after collecting lists of vacant Grade 11 to Grade 20 posts from all ministries and their subordinate offices and agencies. The list has also been sent to the Cabinet Division.

In addition, the Ministry of Public Administration has approved the creation of 47,326 posts, the retention of 18,893 posts and the permanent establishment of 293 posts across various ministries and their subordinate offices and agencies.

To implement the election manifesto, the government plans to fill 4,459 vacant posts through new recruitment and promotions in the Ministry of Public Administration, its subordinate offices and agencies, and field administration during the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year.

It is learned that existing laws and regulations governing government service are being thoroughly reviewed as part of long-term administrative reform. A committee has already been formed to draft a modern Civil Service Act in accordance with the Constitution.

The committee was formed on July 13 and has begun its work. Its members have also held discussions with the adviser to the Ministry of Public Administration on drafting the Civil Service Act.

In addition, a formal request has been sent to the Cabinet Division to establish an Administrative Reform Commission comprising patriotic, qualified, experienced and knowledgeable individuals.