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In a significant policy shift, parliament has passed a bill removing the 67-year age limit for the Bangladesh Bank governor.
The amendment to the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972, was tabled by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday during a sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal.
With no clause-by-clause amendments raised, the bill was passed in its original form.
The new law has been titled the Bangladesh Bank (Amendment) Act, 2026.
Under the revised law, the governor will continue to serve a four-year term and remain eligible for reappointment.
However, the earlier provision requiring the governor to vacate the post upon reaching 67 years of age has been removed.
With this change, the restriction contained in Article 10(5) of the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972 will no longer apply.
The statement of objectives and reasons attached to the bill said the central bank governor plays a crucial role in formulating and implementing monetary policy, maintaining financial stability, supervising banks, and coordinating with international financial institutions.
It argued that these responsibilities require “experienced, skilled and prudent individuals”.
“The existing age limit often creates obstacles in appointing capable and experienced individuals as governor.”
A comparative justification note prepared by the Financial Institutions Division made similar observations: “The age limit of 67 creates barriers in appointing qualified and experienced persons to the post of governor.”
The note added, apart from Nepal and Pakistan, many countries do not impose any maximum age limit for central bank governors.
It said removing this “legal restriction” was therefore in the public interest.
The amendment is part of a broader legislative process currently under way to convert ordinances issued during the interim government period into permanent laws.
Several other bills related to financial and institutional frameworks were also disposed of in the same parliamentary session.
Why Age Limit Matters
The Bangladesh Bank governor holds a central position in managing monetary policy, ensuring financial sector stability, overseeing banking regulation, managing foreign exchange and reserves, and coordinating with international financial institutions.
As a result, rules on eligibility, tenure, reappointment, and age have long been considered highly significant.
The government argues that strict age caps can sometimes prevent the appointment of highly experienced professionals in a sector where expertise is critical.
This is not the first revision of the rule.
In 2020, the maximum age limit was raised from 65 to 67 to allow then governor Fazle Kabir to serve a second term.
In 2024, the issue resurfaced when the interim government moved to appoint Ahsan H Mansur, who was then close to 73 years old.
Officials at the time said existing law barred anyone above 67 from holding the post, prompting renewed efforts to amend the provision.