Over the past eight months, the government of Bangladesh has implemented a wide-ranging reshuffle affecting more than 2,000 officials across its public administration, according to a report presented by the Ministry of Public Administration at a parliamentary standing committee meeting held yesterday.
The personnel changes encompass a broad spectrum of positions, from field-level roles to senior secretarial posts in various ministries and divisions. The report highlights that 1,055 officials received promotions during this period, including 746 elevated from senior assistant secretary level to secretary or equivalent positions. Among these, 18 were promoted to senior secretary or secretary, nine to Grade 1, 180 to joint secretary, 275 to deputy secretary, and 264 to senior assistant secretary. An additional 309 officials were promoted through the Superior Selection Board (SSB), with 17 advancing to Grade 1, 34 to Grade 2, and 258 to Grade 3.
The reshuffle also involved 589 transfers within field administration, affecting key positions such as divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners (DCs), additional DCs, upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), senior assistant commissioners, and assistant commissioners. Specifically, these included six divisional commissioners, four additional divisional commissioners, 36 DCs, 109 additional DCs, 308 UNOs, 82 senior assistant commissioners, and 44 assistant commissioners.
Across ministries and divisions, transfers spanned numerous ranks, with 43 senior secretaries and secretaries moved to new posts, along with 100 additional secretaries, 103 joint secretaries, 182 deputy secretaries, 274 senior assistant secretaries, and 34 assistant secretaries. Under deputation arrangements, 57 additional secretaries, 115 joint secretaries, 205 deputy secretaries, 182 senior assistant secretaries, and 144 officials of other ranks were reassigned.
The government also created 58 new posts in various ministries and divisions, including two secretary-level positions, seven additional secretary posts, eight joint secretary roles, and 14 deputy secretary spots. Further additions included 19 roles at senior assistant secretary and assistant secretary levels, as well as one additional deputy commissioner post and seven assistant commissioner posts related to land administration.
Regarding retirements, the report recorded 59 officials at additional secretary level and above, 25 joint secretaries and deputy secretaries, and 36 assistant and senior assistant secretaries retiring during this period. Additionally, 32 officials were subject to compulsory retirement.
Recruitment efforts continue alongside these changes. The ministry is conducting pre-employment verification for candidates recommended in the 45th, 46th, and 47th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations, numbering 1,806, 1,451, and 1,334 candidates respectively. Appointments from the 27th and 48th special BCS exams during 2026 total 1,010.
To enhance public service delivery, the Ministry of Public Administration has initiated several policy and administrative reforms. These include developing career plans for administration cadre officials, recruiting doctors for government employee hospitals, implementing the Government Vehicles Repair and Maintenance Policy 2026, revising printing and publication policies, and amending the Bangladesh Employees Welfare Board Act. The introduction of the Online Pension Tracking and Management System (OPTMS) aims to streamline pension settlements, while additional initiatives seek to improve welfare services for government employees.
Work is also ongoing on approving development projects and preparing development project proposals (DPPs) to support future administrative improvements.