| Post: | Secretary |
| Flag: | Flag of Bangladesh.svg |
| Flagsize: | 110px |
| Flagborder: | yes |
| Flagcaption: | Flag of Bangladesh |
| Insignia: | National emblem of Bangladesh.svg |
| Insigniasize: | 175px |
| Insigniacaption: | National Emblem of Bangladesh |
| Department: | Government of Bangladesh |
| Appointer: | Prime Minister of Bangladesh |
| Termlength: | Until the age of 59 |
| Termlength Qualified: | Term extendable |
| Succession: | 15th (on the Order of precedence in Bangladesh) |
| Member Of: | Bangladesh Civil Service |
Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh, often referred to as Secretary or Senior Secretary, GoB, is a prestigious post and rank within the Bangladesh Civil Service under the government of Bangladesh. The creation of this post is authorized by the government of Bangladesh, aligning with the country's administrative needs.[1] The position is typically held by a career civil servant, predominantly from the Bangladesh Civil Service, and represents a government official of considerable seniority.[2]
In Bangladesh, the Secretary is either from the Bangladesh Administrative Service or other cadres of the civil service upon attaining the required level of seniority and experience. Appointments and promotions to this position are made by the government of Bangladesh, often involving high-level decision-making bodies.[3]
Within the structure of the Bangladeshi government, a Secretary serves as the administrative head of a ministry or division. The role is comparable to that of the highest-ranking officials in other government branches and is recognized as such in the hierarchy of the Bangladesh Civil Service. The position of Senior Secretary, created in 2012, adds an additional tier of seniority, addressing the growing complexities and demands of modern governance in Bangladesh.[4]
The role of the Secretary has evolved significantly since Bangladesh's independence in 1971.[5] Initially shaped by the administrative traditions inherited from Pakistan and British India, the position has undergone various transformations, reflecting the changing political and administrative landscape of the country. Over the decades, Secretaries have played instrumental roles in policy formulation, administration, and crisis management.
In 1998, the government decided to keep 75% of posts of deputy secretary and 70% of posts of joint secretary for the BCS administration and the remaining posts for the officers of other cadres.
The appointment of Secretaries (including Senior Secretaries) is conducted by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, based on seniority and merit within the Bangladesh Civil Service. The tenure of a Secretary varies, often influenced by the government's administrative needs and the individual's performance.[6]