The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations are commencing today across the country under a uniform question paper system.
The examinations will begin at 10:00 AM on Thursday (July 2) with the Bangla First Paper, and the written segment will continue until August 8.
This year, a total of 1,270,583 candidates from nine general education boards, the Madrasah Education Board, and the Technical Education Board are participating.
Among them, 1,069,714 students are under the nine general boards, 92,905 under the Madrasah board, and 107,964 under the Technical board.
The total number of examinees has increased by 19,472 compared to last year.
To ensure a fair, transparent, and cheat-free environment, education boards have already issued several strict directives, ranging from the security of question papers to guidelines for examinees.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has banned the entry of the general public within a 200-yard radius of examination centers.
According to the schedule published by the Dhaka Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, the written exams will run from July 2 to August 8, while practical examinations must be completed by August 15.
The morning shift exams will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and the second shift will run from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Examinees must enter the examination halls at least 30 minutes before the start of the test.
Strict Security and Uniform Question Papers
This year's examinations will be conducted on the full syllabus, utilizing identical question papers across the nine general education boards.
The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee stated that all boards will share the same question set, and special security measures have been implemented to prevent question leaks.
Concurrently, educationists view ensuring a standardized evaluation of answer scripts across all boards as a major challenge.
Students from 9,439 educational institutions nationwide are appearing for the exams across 2,697 centers. Among these, 145 centers have been identified as risky, 40 of which are in Dhaka.
A 35-point directive has been issued for managing the examinations.
To maintain discipline, CCTV cameras have been installed in every center, and a special CCTV Monitoring Cell has been set up at the Ministry of Education to observe any center across the country online.
Furthermore, law enforcement personnel deployed at the centers will be equipped with body-worn cameras.
Per the guidelines, one invigilator will be assigned for every 20 students in an exam hall, with a mandatory minimum of two invigilators per room.
Strict seating arrangements have also been set: two students will sit on a five-by-six-foot bench, while only one student will be allowed on a four-foot bench.
Measures Against Question Leaks
Multi-tiered security measures have been adopted to safeguard the question papers.
Three days before the exams, question papers stored in treasury or police station lockers must be verified in the presence of designated officials.
On exam days, question papers will be transported to the centers under the escort of tag officers and police.
The question envelopes can only be opened after receiving the designated set code via mobile phone.
Authorities warned that departmental action will be taken against anyone administering exams with unapproved question sets.
The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee assured that there is zero scope for question leaks, and all preparations for a fair and malpractice-free exam environment are complete.
However, if any leak occurs, that day's examination will be suspended nationwide and rescheduled.
Government Warnings and Future Educational Plans
Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Education on Wednesday (July 1), Education Minister DR. A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon stated that unprecedented security arrangements have been implemented to ensure a fair, transparent, and secure 2026 HSC and equivalent examination process.
Strict action will be taken under the amended Public Examinations Act against anyone involved in leaks, fraud, or irregularities, with the Minister emphasizing that no teacher or official will be spared.
Additionally, Mahdy Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Education, Primary and Mass Education, remarked that the government aims to build an education system where cultural education, sports, moral values, and vocational skills are prioritized alongside textbook knowledge.
Plans are also underway to gradually make technical and vocational education compulsory starting from the sixth grade.
