Govt launches ‘Nagorik Sheba’: A one-stop online platform for citizen services

The Government of Bangladesh (GOB) has launched a unified digital platform named 'Nagorik Sheba Bangladesh' in short 'Nagorik Sheba' (Citizen service), aimed at delivering a wide range of government services through a single online gateway, with physical service points operated by local entrepreneurs across the country.

According to announcements made by the Office of the Chief Adviser on 30 April, starting from 1 May 2025, individual entrepreneurs may apply to become authorised service agents through the platform's official site, www.nagoriksheba.gov.bd. Existing union digital centres will also be integrated into the network.

According to Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the platform will initially offer around 100 services, with each government ministry instructed to make at least two services available through the system. 

"A single service portal or website will be created as the citizen service user interface and there will be a super app. This portal and website will have a single gateway for all services, a billing aggregator and a payment gateway," said Faiz Taiyeb.

Applications submitted through these centres will be digitally forwarded to the appropriate departments with tracking numbers, eliminating the need for printed documents or in-person follow-ups. A secure 'national service bus' will manage the data exchanges between ministries, ensuring interoperability and reliability, according to the Office of the Chief Adviser.

Plans are underway to enforce high-speed internet connectivity at national service centres, with internet service providers expected to offer specific broadband packages under government directives.

To support local entrepreneurship, the government will provide training and certification through the Office of the Chief Adviser and the ICT Division. Certified agents will receive official branding, uniforms, ID cards, and potentially low-interest loans through financial institutions to set up service kiosks. Co-working spaces in public offices at the district and sub-district levels may be made available during the initial phase to reduce startup costs.

Nagorik Sheba aims to replace time-consuming and often inaccessible government procedures with a streamlined, inclusive digital interface. Citizens will be able to access a range of services including birth and death registration, ID card issuance and correction, passport applications, land services, online police reports, income tax filing, utility bill payments, and social security claims, as per the Office of the Chief Adviser.

The government envisions this role evolving into a new local profession, drawing inspiration from past concepts like 'Village Phone Lady' by Professor Muhammad Yunus. In addition to improving service accessibility, the programme is expected to generate local employment and offer new business opportunities. Over time, the model will transition from physical kiosks to home-based digital service providers, allowing individuals to offer public services independently with proper certification, as per the Office of the Chief Adviser.