Age limit for govt jobs review in future, minister says

Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain has said while there are no immediate plans to raise the age limit for entering government service, the issue remains open for future discussion.

Addressing parliamentary inquiries, he noted, "Whether to extend the age limit or not in the future, whether it would be good to increase the age limit or not is a policy decision. We will review the age limit policy in the future and make a final decision."

Saying he will discuss the issue with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the minister also said the government has no decision to increase the age limit for now.

During a session responding to questions from Awami League MPs Rafiqul Islam of Chandpur-5 and Farida Yasmin of the reserved women's seat, the minister reiterated the government's stance. Both MPs had inquired about potential plans to increase the age limit following a recommendation from the education minister.

Rafiqul Islam highlighted the need for revision, pointing out that life expectancy in the country has increased from 62 to 72 years. It would be logical to adjust the age limit for government jobs to at least 35 years to reflect this change, he added.

In response, Minister Hossain outlined the government's recent strides in public service modernisation. Over the last 15 years, the government has made significant updates, including raising the entry age from 27 to 30 years, and extending the retirement age from 57 to 59 years. The job environment and pay structure are increasingly drawing top talent from various universities, he explained.

Regarding the age limit, Hossain described it as a critical policy issue. "Currently, job seekers start appearing for the BCS examination around the ages of 22 or 23, giving them approximately 6 to 7 years to secure a position in government service. We believe this provides ample time for entry," he noted.

The minister affirmed that any decision to alter the age policy would only come after thorough discussions. This matter requires careful consideration with the Prime Minister. Although the Education Minister has prompted them with a formal request to revisit the age limits, the ministry has not yet reached a decision to implement any changes, Hossain concluded.