The HSC Exam 2026 kicked off with a significant development as 24,784 students remained absent on the first day across nine general education boards, madrasa, and technical boards. Additionally, authorities took strict action by expelling seven students for adopting unfair means during the examination[-5]. Among the nine general education boards, 8 lakh 56 thousand 97 students appeared for the Bengali first paper, while the madrasa board conducted the Quran Majid test with 80,653 participants out of 85,191 registered candidates. In this comprehensive analysis, we examine the board-wise absence patterns, district-level statistics, expelled student details, and the overall examination environment that marked the beginning of the HSC 2026 exam date.
HSC 2026 Exam Begins with 24,784 Students Absent
According to figures released by the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, over 1 million students participated in the examination while a substantial number remained absent across all three education streams.
General Education Boards Record 17,233 Absences
Out of 856,097 registered candidates under the nine general education boards, 838,864 students sat for the Bangla compulsory first paper exam. The examination took place at 1,620 centers across the country. Specifically, the absence rate stood at 2.01 percent for general boards. Professor Syed Amirul Islam, chairman of the Dhaka Education Board and president of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, confirmed these statistics through an official statement.
The Bengali first paper marked the opening subject for students under general education boards. Five candidates faced expulsion during this examination, with two from Jashore, and one each from Cumilla, Dinajpur, and Mymensingh. This disciplinary action came as authorities maintained strict vigilance against malpractice during the HSC exam routine 2025 implementation.
Madrasa Board Reports 4,478 Students Missing
Under the Madrasa Education Board, 80,653 candidates appeared for the Quran Majid exam out of 85,131 registered students. The examination operated across 460 centers nationwide. The absentee rate reached 5.26 percent, representing the highest absence percentage among all three boards[4]. Accordingly, this rate exceeded the general boards by more than double.
One candidate received expulsion for adopting unfair means during the Quran Majid test[4]. The higher absence rate in madrasa education reflects ongoing challenges in student retention at this level.
Technical Board Sees 3,073 Absent Examinees
The Technical Education Board conducted the Bangla-2 exam at 611 examination centers. From 83,676 registered candidates, 80,603 students participated in the test[4]. The absence count of 3,073 students translated to an absence rate of 3.67 percent. Meanwhile, authorities expelled one candidate for malpractice during the technical board examination[4].
Overall, 1,000,120 candidates out of 1,024,904 registered students appeared in the HSC 2026 exam date examinations across all boards on the opening day. The total absence of 24,784 students represents various factors affecting student participation in the HSC exam.
Board-Wise Absence Breakdown Reveals Regional Patterns
Regional variations in student absence emerged as a distinct pattern across the nine general education boards on the HSC exam date 2026.
Dhaka Board Leads with Highest Absentee Count
The Dhaka Education Board recorded 3,971 absent candidates during the Bengali first paper examination. This figure represents the highest absentee count among all general boards. The capital’s education board manages the largest student population, which contributes to higher absolute numbers despite maintaining a relatively low percentage rate. In fact, Dhaka’s dominance in absence statistics reflects both its extensive examination infrastructure and student enrollment capacity.
Rajshahi and Jessore Boards Show Significant Numbers
Rajshahi Board followed with 2,497 absent students, while Jashore Board reported 2,078 absences on the first day of the HSC exam routine 2025[33]. Cumilla Board registered 1,795 absent candidates during the examination[33]. These boards represent major regional education hubs managing substantial student populations. The figures indicate consistent absence patterns across both northern and southern educational zones.
Northern Boards Report Lower Absence Rates
Dinajpur Board recorded 1,937 absences, whereas Mymensingh Board saw 1,182 students missing from the examination. Sylhet Board reported the lowest count among all boards with 1,127 absent candidates[33]. Meanwhile, Barishal and Chattogram boards registered 1,346 and 1,340 absences respectively[33]. The northern boards demonstrated relatively contained absence numbers compared to larger urban centers.
Absence Percentage Analysis Across Boards
The broader context reveals alarming dropout trends leading up to the HSC 2026 exam date. Under nine general education boards, 33.04 percent of registered students did not fill out exam forms. This rate increased from approximately 27 percent last year. By the same token, the Madrasah Education Board experienced 44.07 percent dropout, up from 39 percent. The Technical Education Board recorded the steepest decline at 54.58 percent, compared to 40 percent previously.
Seven Students Expelled for Adopting Unfair Means
Authorities maintained strict monitoring during the HSC exam 2026, resulting in disciplinary action against students who violated examination protocols. A total of seven students faced expulsion for adopting unfair means across all education boards.
General Boards Account for Five Expulsions
The nine general education boards expelled five candidates during the Bengali first paper examination[82]. This disciplinary measure represented a firm stance against malpractice during the HSC 2026 exam date. In fact, five specific boards took action while four major boards, including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet, and Barishal, reported zero expulsions. The contrast highlights varying levels of unfair means attempts across different regions.
District-Wise Distribution of Expelled Students
The Jashore Board recorded the highest number of expulsions among general boards with two students penalized for malpractice[82][91]. Cumilla Board expelled one candidate, while Dinajpur Board and Mymensingh Board each took action against one student for adopting unfair means[82][91]. This geographic distribution indicates that malpractice incidents occurred across multiple regions rather than concentrating in specific areas. The district-level breakdown provides transparency in disciplinary actions taken during the HSC exam routine 2025 implementation.
Madrasa and Technical Boards Report One Each
Under the Madrasa Education Board, one candidate received expulsion during the Quran Majid examination[91]. Similarly, the Technical Education Board expelled one student during the Bangla-2 exam[91]. Both boards demonstrated equal vigilance in maintaining examination integrity despite managing different curricula and student populations during the HSC 2025 exam date proceedings.
No Inspectors Face Disciplinary Action
No invigilators or examiners faced expulsion on the first day of examinations[93]. The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee confirmed that all supervisory staff maintained proper conduct throughout the HSC exam date 2026 proceedings.
First Day Exam Subjects and Overall Environment
Different examination subjects marked the opening day across the three education streams on Thursday, July 2.
Bengali First Paper for General Boards
Students under the nine general education boards sat for Bangla First Paper as their opening examination. The Daily Campus obtained the question paper following completion of the test. For the first time, all nine general education boards used a unified set of question papers in a major reform aimed at ensuring greater uniformity in assessment.
Quran Majid Test for Alim Students
The Madrasa Education Board conducted the Quran Majid examination for Alim candidates. This subject represents the core religious component of the Alim curriculum under the Madrasa stream.
Technical Board Conducts Bangla-2 Examination
Students registered under the Technical Education Board appeared for the Bangla-2 test on the first day. The technical stream follows a distinct curriculum pattern compared to general and madrasa boards.
Exam Centers Operate Smoothly Nationwide
A total of 1,270,583 candidates participated in the HSC 2026 exam date across 2,997 centers nationwide. Written examinations will continue until August 8, 2026, while practical examinations must be completed by August 15. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police imposed a ban on public entry within 200 yards of examination centers.
Total 1 Million Students Appear Successfully
Over 1 million students successfully appeared in the examinations. Professor Syed Akhtaruzzaman, chairman of the Dhaka Education Board, stated there was no possibility of question paper leaks and all preparations had been completed to ensure fair, cheating-free examinations.
All things considered, the HSC 2026 exam commenced successfully with over 1 million students participating across 2,997 centers nationwide. Above all, examination authorities maintained strict vigilance, expelling seven candidates for malpractice while ensuring smooth operations. The 24,784 absences, though substantial, reflected ongoing dropout challenges across all education streams. As a result, unified question papers and enhanced security measures demonstrated our education system’s commitment to conducting fair, transparent examinations throughout this critical assessment period.
