The quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service requires the Civil Service offer a certain number of jobs to members of certain groups, such as descendants of freedom fighters from the Bangladesh Liberation War, religious and ethnic minorities, underrepresented districts, and disabled groups. All candidates must pass all preliminary examinations, and the quota is considered in the final oral interview stage.[1] Government jobs provide better pay and benefits than private sector jobs in Bangladesh, which creates demand for government jobs.[2] Students in Bangladesh protested in 2013, 2018, and 2024 against the quota system and have argued that talented candidates were not being recruited due to the quota.[3]
The system was abolished in 2018 but was reinstated by a High Court verdict in 2024.[4][5] The verdict was stayed by the Appellate Division while the government of Bangladesh took action to squash the High Court order restoring the quota system.[6][7] The Supreme Court of Bangladesh on 21 July reduced the quota, increasing the recruitment percentage for government jobs to 93%.[8]
The quota system serves as an affirmative action plan for marginalized groups, as well as for descendants (including grandchildren in 2010) of former soldiers.[9] From the 35th to 40th Bangladesh Civil Service exams, not enough candidates were found for recruitment under the system: merit-based jobs were only 44 percent of job openings, but most students (around 65 percent) were recruited based on merit.[1]