The 47th BCS written examinations will begin on November 27, according to a detailed notice issued on Monday by Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC).

The announcement includes seat arrangements and extensive guidelines for both compulsory and technical or cadre-specific exams.

The PSC has strictly banned mobile phones, watches, smartwatches, electronic devices, books, bags, wallets, bank or credit cards, calculators (except for logical reasoning), and other prohibited items inside exam halls. Candidates will be allowed in only after metal detector screening by an executive magistrate and police, followed by verification of admit cards. Possession of any banned items or violations of exam rules will lead to immediate cancellation of candidature and legal action.

According to the notice signed by Exam Controller (Cadre) Masuma Afreen, candidates appearing for mathematics, applied mathematics, physics, electronics, accounting, finance, marketing, computer science, statistics and engineering subjects may use scientific non-programmable calculators. Those taking the statistics exam (code 981) may bring necessary statistical tables, including hypothesis testing charts.

Candidates will not be allowed to cover their faces or ears inside the exam hall. Identity will be verified through photographs and signatures on the attendance sheet and admit card, and any mismatch will result in expulsion. Candidates have been advised to carry their national ID card to avoid complications.

The written exams will use double litho-coded and barcoded OMR answer sheets. Candidates must fill in their name, subject code, registration number and center information using black ballpoint pens. Any error in coding, overwriting, marks or use of correction fluid will render the answer script invalid. Writing names or registration numbers on the main or additional answer sheets is strictly prohibited.

The Bangla exams (codes 001 and 002) will be held over two days. Technical or professional cadre candidates will sit for the 100-mark exam under code 001, while general cadre candidates will sit for the 200-mark exam under code 002. All candidates must appear on both days. The three-hour 001 exam will take place on November 27, and the four-hour 002 exam will be held on November 30. Incorrect coding will result in disqualification.

The Mental Skills (MCQ) exam (code 009) is scheduled for December 7 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Candidates will receive a two-part OMR sheet before the exam; the first part must be filled out beforehand and collected by invigilators. The second part will contain 50 questions. Responses must be shaded with a black ballpoint pen only; pencils or correction fluid will invalidate the script.

For candidates with disabilities, PSC will provide trained scribes upon request. Visually impaired examinees will receive an additional 10 minutes per hour. Only PSC-approved scribes will be accepted.

The PSC added that all exam rooms will be monitored by CCTV, urging candidates to refrain from any form of malpractice.
According to the published schedule, the written exams will run from November 27 to December 18. The exams will be held in eight centers: Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur and Mymensingh. However, certain technical or cadre-specific exams will be conducted only in Dhaka.