The 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations begin today across Bangladesh, with authorities rolling out what the government described as "unprecedented security measures" to ensure a fair and leak-free examination process.
The written examinations will start at 10:00am with the Bangla First Paper and continue until August 8, while practical examinations will be held between August 9 and 15.
Students under all general education boards will sit for the exams using a common set of question papers.
A total of 1,270,583 candidates are taking part in this year's examinations under nine general education boards, the Madrasah Education Board and the Technical Education Board—an increase of 19,472 candidates from last year.
Of them, 1,069,714 students are appearing under the nine general education boards, 92,905 under the Madrasah Education Board and 107,964 under the Technical Education Board.
The examinations are being held at 2,697 centres across the country, involving students from 9,439 educational institutions. Authorities have identified 145 examination centres as high-risk, including 40 in Dhaka.
To prevent malpractice, the Education Ministry has issued a 35-point directive for examination management. CCTV cameras have been installed at every examination centre, while a dedicated monitoring cell at the ministry will oversee live feeds from centres nationwide.
Law enforcement personnel deployed at examination centres will also wear body-worn cameras as part of enhanced surveillance.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon said the government had taken unprecedented steps to ensure the examinations are conducted in a secure, transparent and orderly manner.
He warned that anyone involved in question paper leaks, cheating or other irregularities would face strict action under the amended Public Examinations Act. "No one, including teachers or officials found involved in malpractice, will be spared," he said.
Prime Minister's Adviser on Education and Primary Education Mahdi Amin said the government aims to build an education system that gives equal importance to culture, sports, moral education, social values and practical skills alongside textbook learning.
He added that vocational and technical education would gradually become compulsory from Grade 6.