Mahmud Hasan Pial :

In 2018, amid student protests, the Ministry of Public Administration abolished the quota system for ninth to thirteenth grade (first and second class) government jobs. Although this circular remained in effect for the next five years, it was repealed in June 2024. Since then, students and job seekers have begun protesting for the reinstatement of the 2018 circular.

While many are aware of the current protests, they may not know the origins of the quota system in government jobs and the initial percentage of quotas implemented.

Sources informed that the history of the quota system in government jobs is quite extensive. The quota system was first introduced in 1972 to provide benefits to the children of those who participated in the Liberation War of 1971. Over time, the scope of this quota system expanded.

From 1972 to 1976, approximately 80% of positions were filled based on quotas, while the remaining 20% were filled based on merit.

In 1976, the percentage of merit-based recruitment was increased to 40%. By 1985, 45% of first and second class positions were filled based on merit. The remaining 55% were allocated to various quotas: 30% for freedom fighters, 10% for women, 10% for districts, and 5% for ethnic minorities. Later, a 1% quota for people with disabilities was added, making a total of 56% reserved quotas.

Subsequently, grandchildren of freedom fighters were also included in the freedom fighter quota. However, 56% of the reserved quota positions were often left unfilled, and the vacant positions were then filled based on merit.