The 36th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) preliminary test will be held today.

Some 2.11 lakh candidates will sit for the two-hour long test at 162 centres in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet and Rangpur simultaneously at 9:30am, said officials of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

For the first time, candidates have been asked not to carry any type of wrist watch, pocket watch or electronic watch in the test venues. Usage of electronic devices, including calculators and mobile phones, by test takers has long been prohibited.

Defaulters will have their instruments seized and candidacy cancelled, officials added.

Candidates will have to be in their seats between 8:20am and 8:55am.  Answer scripts will be given at 9:00am and question papers at 9:30am.

Seat plans and instructions will be found at www.bpsc.gov.bd.

On May 31 last year, PSC issued a circular for the 36th BCS examination to fill 2,180 vacant posts of general, technical and professional cadres.