The 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will begin across Bangladesh on Thursday under nine education boards using a unified question paper. Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that a total of 1,270,583 students will take part in the exams at 2,697 centers from 9,439 institutions. The exams will cover 77 subjects and be completed within 21 days. Regular classes will continue on non-exam days.

The minister said all centers are equipped with CCTV cameras, and a monitoring cell has been set up at the Education Ministry to oversee exams in real time from any part of the country. Police officers at exam centers will wear body cameras to reduce the risk of irregularities. Centers previously known for malpractice have been canceled, though some venues remain in remote and hilly areas to assist student access.

Compared to 2025, the number of examinees has increased, with 1,122 more male and 13,194 more female students participating this year.