𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬

…𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒗𝒊𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒔

By Tashi Tshewang

A record 5,095 graduates have registered for Bhutan’s 2025 Preliminary Examination (PE), surpassing the previous high of 4,400 recorded in 2020 and exceeding last year’s 4,083 applicants. This significant rise underlines a growing interest among youth in joining the civil service. The pool comprises 2,626 women and 2,469 men, with 201 in-service professionals also vying to either upgrade or redirect their careers through the Royal Civil Service Examination (RCSE).
Despite the growing interest, the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) is offering only 696 vacancies this year: 45 in Administration, 30 in Finance, 388 in Technical Services, 75 for the Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), and 158 for the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) category. These numbers reflect a reduction compared to the 2024 intake, with the education sector facing the sharpest decline. PGDE openings have dropped from 280 to 75, and B.Ed slots have been reduced from 410 to 158, creating concern among fresh graduates facing increasingly competitive odds.

Candidates must score at least 50 percent in the Preliminary Examination to qualify for the Main Examination (ME). Only those who meet this requirement advance to the ME, where their merit is determined based on weighted scores from three components: Academic Achievement, Written Examination, and Viva Voce. Final placements into civil service categories are made according to ME rankings and the availability of vacancies.

The Royal Civil Service Commission stated, “Our mid-April to May 2025 review across all schools in Bhutan, titled ‘Optimizing and Streamlining Teacher Deployment in Schools,’ began after the initial Teacher Requirement Exercise (TRE) suggested shortages of around 1,000 teachers. However, once we rationalized the data against real time needs, we found the real shortage far lower. We discovered that inefficiencies like primary schools with only three students remaining fully staffed, unnecessary class-section splitting, uneven teacher distribution, and under or overutilized infrastructure were the root cause. Urban schools in Thimphu are bursting at capacity, while rural schools report thousands of vacant seats. We also saw higher secondary schools within the same dzongkhag offering identical streams, duplicating specialized staff and inflating per student costs. It became clear that the issue was not a lack of teachers, but where and how they were deployed. After refining our analysis, the Ministry, working with RCSC, identified an overall excess of approximately 600 teachers but noted shortages in critical areas like Special Education Needs (SEN) and Information Technology (IT). Recruitment has since been prioritized strictly for these areas, factoring in real time attrition, teachers on extraordinary leave, and those in long term training.”

The Commission clarified that the reduced vacancies in PGDE and B.Ed categories for 2025 do not signal deprioritization of the education sector, but reflect an evidence-based realignment with actual institutional needs. The RCSC reiterated its commitment to maintaining the sanctity, integrity, and merit-based foundation of the Bhutan Civil Service Examination (BCSE). It emphasized that the BCSE evaluates not only academic knowledge but also critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, with examinations conducted under secure protocols and impartial assessments.

To support all candidates, particularly those studying independently or from overseas, the RCSC has made past question papers freely available online. The Commission stated, “Our commitment remains unwavering. The BCSE is a competency-based assessment grounded in foundational graduate-level knowledge and skills. We do not require aspirants to enroll in coaching classes. Their university education should have fully prepared them. To ensure equal opportunity, we have made past papers for all examination categories available on our website, accessible globally. The examination process is conducted with strict procedural safeguards, secure protocols, and impartial evaluations to uphold meritocracy and public trust. Since merging the Department of Adult and Higher Education into RCSC in 2022, we have reoriented scholarship programs and civil service recruitment around comprehensive human resource forecasting and sectoral needs. This ensures that scholarships are awarded in areas of actual demand, aligning graduate qualifications directly with available positions and supporting national development goals.”

Kinley Wangdi, manager of Rigzin Research and Consultancy Services, said, “There is a decrease in slots this year, but the number of students coming to us for services is still quite encouraging. We have over 700 students this year, and although that is a slight drop around 5 to 10 percent compared to last year, the enthusiasm and determination among the students remain strong.”

However, the pressure is more evident among aspirants due to the reduced number of available posts. Rigzin Research and Consultancy, which has been operating since 2011, continues to provide structured coaching and consistent support to candidates preparing for the Preliminary Examination and other competitive exams. He added, “Because of the slot reduction, we can hear and feel the tension and pressure in our students. But we are fully prepared to support them. From well-equipped classroom facilities to a highly committed management team, we have created a positive and motivating environment to help our students stay focused and perform at their best.”

Dorji Wangmo, a recent graduate from the College of Language and Culture Studies, said, “I have always believed that civil service is one of the most meaningful ways to serve the country. That is why I decided to register and take the first step toward that path. To prepare well, I am currently getting support from a consultancy. Their expert guidance, access to good study materials, and regular mock tests have helped me stay organized, motivated, and confident throughout the process. If I am fortunate enough to join the civil service, my goal is to serve with honesty and humility. I especially want to work in rural and underserved areas, where I feel I can make the most meaningful impact.”

Sonam Tshering, a student from Sherubtse College appearing for the Preliminary Examination for the second time, said, “Slot reduction is more of a concern now than ever before. After spending years specializing in a particular field, it feels disheartening to see fewer opportunities available. It makes many of us question the worth of our academic choices, even though we worked so hard for them.”

To adapt to the increased competition, he has designed a structured study plan that allocates time for each section of the syllabus. “My long-term goal is to serve the nation with honesty and integrity. Regardless of how tough the process becomes, I want to contribute meaningfully to the country. That is the purpose I hold on to, and it keeps me moving forward,” he added.

Leki Wangchuk, a graduate from Chandigarh University, India, shared, “To fulfill His Majesty’s vision of developing our country through our own efforts and innovative technology, I feel it is our duty as youth to step forward and prepare ourselves to contribute meaningfully. I am doing self-study using various platforms, but to be honest, I feel more pressured than ever. Even when you put in your best effort, the chances of clearing the Preliminary Examination feel very slim. That uncertainty can be overwhelming at times.”

He added, “I think General Knowledge can be covered toward the end, but language and analytical reasoning need more time and consistent practice. That is where I am putting most of my effort. If I succeed, I will serve with full dedication and zero corruption. I want to set an example for my juniors and help lead Bhutan into a new era, one where technology is used wisely to drive national progress.”

Tshering Wangda, who is appearing for the Preliminary Examination for the third time, said, “Seeing my friends working in government jobs has really motivated me to keep trying. Even though I have not made it in my previous attempts, I have not lost hope. This time, I am preparing through online resources, and some of my friends have shared helpful notes with me.”

With limited slots and rising competition, Tshering has been focusing on key subjects. “There are so many of us competing, so I have mainly been concentrating on General Knowledge and Language, which are crucial parts of the exam. It is not easy, but I am doing my best every day. I want to serve the nation with hard work and dedication. If I get the chance to be in the civil service, I hope to share new ideas and be part of the country’s development,” he said.