The 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Dakhil, and equivalent examinations started across Bangladesh at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 21. A total of 1,857,344 students are taking part this year, according to the Ministry of Education.
The exams began at 3,885 centres nationwide. Students from 30,666 educational institutions are sitting for the tests.
On the first day, students under the nine general education boards are taking the Bangla First Paper exam. Under the Madrasa Education Board, Dakhil candidates are sitting for the Quran Majid and Tajvid exam. Under the Technical Education Board, SSC (Vocational) and Dakhil (Vocational) candidates are taking the Bangla-2 subject exam.
Official data shows that 930,305 male students and 927,039 female students are participating this year.
Among the total candidates, 1,418,398 are under the nine general education boards. Another 304,286 students are under the Madrasa Education Board, while 134,660 are under the Technical Education Board.
As in previous years, the Dhaka Education Board has the highest number of candidates. A total of 366,650 students are sitting for the exams under the board.
Also Read: SSC and Equivalent exams begin today, large crowds seen at centres
Before the examinations began, Education Adviser and Adviser to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon spoke about steps taken to stop question paper leaks.
He said authorities are using cyber surveillance to detect any attempt to spread leaked questions online.
“We are monitoring cybercrime,” he said. “We have formed a monitoring cell so that if anything happens, we can address it properly.”
He also said a WhatsApp group has been created with officials, including deputy commissioners (DCs) and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), to ensure quick coordination during the exam period.
The adviser said the Public Examination Act 1980 has been sent to the Law Ministry for amendment. He said digital crimes were not clearly covered in the earlier law, but they are now being included.
He added that the legal definition of examinations is also being updated, as the previous version mainly covered matriculation and intermediate exams.
On answer script marking, the adviser said no instruction has been given to award compassionate marks. He said steps are being taken so examiners get enough time to check scripts properly.
The examinations will continue under the published routine in the coming weeks.
