CSB Launches Digitalised Basic Law and National Security Law Test for Civil Service Applicants Starting Tomorrow.

2025-05-20 11:00 Last Updated At：11:08

Civil Service Bureau launches Digitalised Basic Law and National Security Law Test to provide convenience to candidates

The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) will launch the Digitalised Basic Law and National Security Law Test (Degree/Professional Grades) (Digitalised BLNST), which prospective applicants can apply for through the online application system on the CSB website starting from tomorrow (May 21) at 9am for the examination to be held from May 23 onwards.

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Civil Service Bureau launches Digitalised Basic Law and National Security Law Test to provide convenience to candidates Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Civil Service Bureau launches Digitalised Basic Law and National Security Law Test to provide convenience to candidates Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The examination will be conducted by computer at the Recruitment Centre, General Grades Office of the CSB. There are six examination timeslots per working day, and it is estimated that around 60 000 examination quotas will be provided each year.

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, "Further to the digitalisation of application for designated civil service posts, the digitalisation of the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) is another example of applying technologies to enhance efficiency. The Digitalised BLNST was designed from the users' perspective, enabling candidates to submit online applications for examination anytime and sit for the examination at their own selected timeslots as early as possible. Candidates will no longer be confined to the fixed thrice-per-year examination schedule and the paper-based examination. They can also obtain the result through e-mail on the day of examination, which is more convenient and efficient as compared with the previous arrangement of issuing the examination result by post. The arrangement not only saves time on paperwork but also is more environmentally friendly. This is a win-win situation for both the candidates and the recruiting departments."

She said, "The Bureau will flexibly deploy existing resources and manpower, as well as better arrangements and use of venue to implement the digitalised examination. This arrangement can also reduce the expenditure for hiring part-time invigilators and related administrative expenses for setting up temporary examination centres. In the long run, we will review the operational arrangement with a view to actively exploring the feasibility of digitalising other recruitment examinations and achieving more savings in expenditure and manpower."

Application eligibility and details

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At present, attaining a pass result in the BLNST is an entry requirement for all civil service jobs. All candidates for civil service jobs must pass the BLNST in order to be considered for appointment, regardless of whether the candidates have previously taken the Basic Law Test centrally conducted by the CSB or individual bureaux/departments in previous civil service recruitment exercises.

Prospective applicants of civil service posts at degree or professional levels without a pass result in the BLNST can apply for the Digitalised BLNST through the online application system (www.csb.gov.hk/eng/dblnst.html) starting from tomorrow at 9am for the examination to be held from May 23 to July 16 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). The Digitalised BLNST will be conducted at the Recruitment Centre, General Grades Office of the CSB (Address: 37th Floor, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong). For examination to be held on or after July 17, the examination quota will be open for application on a daily basis in accordance with an eight-week advance booking schedule. The General Grades Office will adjust the examination quota having regard to the demand.

The examination format, duration and content of the Digitalised BLNST are identical to those of the paper-based BLNST. The only change is that the examination will be conducted by computer, and the results of the Digitalised BLNST will be issued by e-mail to candidates in the form of electronic result certificates on the same day of the examination.

The pool of eligible candidates for civil service jobs requiring an undergraduate degree has been expanded to students in their third year of undergraduate studies (in a four-year curriculum). Therefore, the Digitalised BLNST will be open to holders of a degree, or holders of a professional qualification meeting the entry requirement of the posts, or undergraduate students who will have attained a degree in the current or next academic year. Applicants for the Digitalised BLNST should also be holders of a Hong Kong Identity Card and aged 18 or above (including those who will turn 18 in the year the applicant takes the examination).

Applicants must submit the application through the designated website. Each applicant can only reserve one examination timeslot. Upon completion of application procedures, applicants will be provided with an application reference number immediately. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to the applicant's e-mail address immediately.

A pass result in the BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades) has permanent validity and is acceptable for the purpose of applying for all civil service jobs. The CSB has been conducting the BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades) since June 11, 2022. Those who possess a pass result in the BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades) need not apply again.

For the BLNST applicable to civil service posts requiring non-degree or non-professional qualifications, the existing arrangements by recruiting departments/grades remain unchanged. For details of the BLNST, please visit the CSB webpage (www.csb.gov.hk/english/recruit/blnst/1372.html).

General enquiries may be directed to the Civil Service Examinations Unit by phone at 2537 6429 or by e-mail to csbcseu@csb.gov.hk.

FEHD Releases May Gravidtrap Indexes for Aedes Albopictus, Highlights Areas of Concern and Control Measures.

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

May 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Eastern

Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho

9.1%

1.4

Islands

Tung Chung

2.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan

6.7%

1.5

Tai Po

Tai Po East

2.2%

2.0

Tai Po West

15.5%

1.0

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

9.1%

1.4

District

Survey Area

May 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui

16.8%

1.3

Eastern

Chai Wan

15.4%

1.0

North Point and Quarry Bay

18.9%

1.4

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

20.8%

1.7

Sha Tin

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

18.3%

1.4

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Town

6.9%

2.3

The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.

For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;

remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

CSB Launches Digitalised Basic Law and National Security Law Test for Civil Service Applicants Starting Tomorrow.

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