8 Bank Exam Cancellation Protest 2018
Why candidates protested the 12 January 2018 bank recruitment test
Candidates protested after the combined Senior Officer recruitment test held in Dhaka on 12 January 2018, alleging seat shortages, centre mismanagement and other irregularities. Demonstrations and human chains were organized in Dhaka, including programmes near the National Press Club, Shahbagh and Bangladesh Bank.
The Bankers’ Selection Committee later cancelled the test and decided that it would be held again. This page preserves the original photographs and explains the sequence of the examination, protests and cancellation using contemporary reports.
Exam and cancellation summary
| Recruitment post | Combined Senior Officer |
|---|---|
| Total vacancies | 1,663 |
| Test date | 12 January 2018 |
| Test format | 100-mark MCQ |
| Exam centres | 61 centres in Dhaka |
| Cancellation decision | 16 January 2018 |
Why the recruitment was known as the eight-bank exam
The recruitment process was announced for eight state-run banks and financial institutions with 1,663 Senior Officer vacancies. Before the scheduled test, the High Court stayed the recruitment examinations of Sonali Bank, Janata Bank and Rupali Bank. The 12 January test therefore proceeded for candidates connected with the remaining five institutions, although contemporary reports and candidates commonly continued to describe the process as the “eight-bank” combined recruitment examination.
This distinction matters when comparing reports from January 2018. References to an “eight-bank exam” describe the original combined recruitment, while references to five institutions describe the test that was allowed to proceed after the court order.
What candidates alleged after the 12 January test
Contemporary reports recorded allegations of inadequate seating, missing or unclear seat arrangements, use of mobile phones at some centres, question-paper leakage and wider examination mismanagement. These were allegations raised by candidates; the article does not present every allegation as independently proven.
At two Mirpur centres—Government Bangla College and Hazrat Shah Ali Women’s College—about 5,600 candidates reportedly faced seat shortages or could not take the test properly. The initial response was to arrange another test on 20 January only for those affected candidates. Protesters rejected that limited solution and demanded cancellation of the 12 January examination for everyone.
Protest and cancellation timeline
- 12 January 2018: The combined Senior Officer MCQ test was held at 61 centres in Dhaka. Problems were reported at several centres.
- 14 January: Candidates formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club and demanded cancellation and a fresh examination.
- 15 January: Further demonstrations took place around Shahbagh and toward Bangladesh Bank. A memorandum containing the candidates’ demands was submitted.
- 16 January: An emergency meeting chaired by Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir decided to cancel the test and hold it again. An inquiry into the reported mismanagement was also announced.
Photographs from the 2018 exam-cancellation protest
The following photographs were retained from the original post. They record banners, gatherings and demonstrations associated with candidates’ demand for cancellation of the combined Senior Officer examination.
What happened after the cancellation
The 16 January decision cancelled the 12 January examination rather than the recruitment itself. The Bankers’ Selection Committee was expected to arrange a fresh test for eligible candidates. The earlier suggestion that only 5,600 affected candidates would retake the exam was therefore replaced by a decision to hold the recruitment test again for all relevant candidates.
The cancellation decision addressed the immediate dispute, while an investigation was announced to examine the reported problems. Candidates welcomed the decision and asked the authorities to improve examination-centre management for the fresh test.
Sources for the 2018 event and current notices
The protest chronology and cancellation decision were cross-checked against contemporary reports from Dhaka Tribune, The Daily Star and The Financial Express. These reports document the candidates’ demands, the emergency meeting and the decision to cancel the test.
For current combined-bank circulars, application information, exam dates, seat plans and results, check the Bangladesh Bank recruitment website. A historical page should not be used as confirmation of a current recruitment schedule.
Related bank-exam resources
- Combined 8 Bank Senior Officer Seat Plan and Exam Date — review the examination details and the later outcome of the January test.
- BKB Officer Cash MCQ Result and Written Exam — see another historical public-bank recruitment stage.
- Bangladesh Bank Written Math Question Solutions — practise mathematics from earlier bank recruitment examinations.
Frequently asked questions
Why did candidates demand cancellation of the bank exam?
They alleged seat shortages, poor centre management, mobile-phone use, question leakage and other irregularities, and demanded a fresh examination for all candidates.
Was the 12 January 2018 Senior Officer test cancelled?
Yes. The Bankers’ Selection Committee cancelled the test on 16 January 2018 after an emergency meeting at Bangladesh Bank.
Why do some reports say eight banks while others say five?
The combined recruitment originally covered eight institutions. After the High Court stayed the examinations of three banks, the 12 January test proceeded for the remaining five, while the recruitment continued to be commonly described as the eight-bank exam.
How many Senior Officer vacancies were included?
The combined recruitment process included 1,663 Senior Officer vacancies.
Where should candidates check a current combined-bank exam notice?
Current notices should be checked on the Bangladesh Bank recruitment website. The photographs and dates on this page belong to the 2018 event.
