The Department of Youth Development has tentatively rescheduled the recruitment examination for Assistant Upazila Youth Development Officer to October 16 at 3:00pm, after postponing Saturday’s exam over allegations that the question paper had been leaked.

The department announced the revised date in a press release issued on October 10, adding that candidates would be notified of the date and time through SMS.

The preliminary examination was originally scheduled for 11:00am on Saturday. According to the press release, all preparations had been completed before the authorities learned that the question paper had allegedly circulated on various social media platforms, prompting the postponement.

The department has formed a five-member investigation committee, led by an additional secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, to investigate the allegations. The committee has been asked to submit its report within three working days, after which disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible, the press release said.

Meanwhile, job seekers staged protests in Shahbagh, Nilkhet and near Government Bangla College in Mirpur, among other locations in Dhaka, following the last-minute cancellation.

Protesting candidates demanded the swift arrest of those involved in the alleged leak, a fair investigation and stronger security measures at examination centres to prevent cheating. They also called for the authorities to take responsibility for the inconvenience and financial losses suffered by candidates who travelled to Dhaka from different parts of the country.

More than 300,000 candidates were expected to compete for 242 Grade 11 posts in the recruitment examination, which was postponed shortly before its scheduled start on Saturday.