The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced the tentative date for the 50th BCS written examination. According to a notice issued on Tuesday, the exam is scheduled to be held on April 9, 2026. The announcement follows the recent publication of the preliminary examination results, with the commission allowing two months for candidates to prepare for the written stage.

As per the published results, a total of 12,385 candidates passed the preliminary test. The preliminary examination took place on January 30 across 190 centers in eight divisional cities—Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh. This year’s BCS recruitment process saw 290,951 applicants in total.

The PSC aims to complete the entire 50th BCS recruitment process within one year, reflecting its effort to streamline the national civil service examination schedule.

All educational institutions across Bangladesh are scheduled to reopen on February 16, following a five-day closure that began on February 11. The closure covered February 11 and 12 for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, followed by the regular weekend holidays on February 13 and 14, and the observance of Shree Shree Shivratri Brata on February 15, as listed in the school and college holiday calendar.

According to the Ministry of Education’s holiday schedule, this marks the first major break of the year for educational institutions and is the fifth listed holiday period. The reopening will resume regular class activities nationwide after the extended break.

Meanwhile, government, semi-government, autonomous, and private offices are set to reopen on February 15 after a four-day holiday stretch, restoring normal administrative and institutional operations across the country.

A severe traffic jam stretching about seven kilometers has formed on the Dhaka-Tangail highway between Elenga and Rabna Bypass due to an influx of vehicles during the election holiday period. The congestion began on Tuesday morning and worsened in the afternoon as more vehicles entered the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge route, leaving thousands of northbound travelers stranded for hours.

Many passengers, unable to find public transport, resorted to traveling in open trucks and pickup vans. Reports have also surfaced of transport operators charging extra fares, citing a shortage of public buses. Highway police attributed the situation to the continuous public holidays for the election, which prompted a large number of people to travel to their hometowns.

The prolonged gridlock has caused significant distress for homebound passengers from northern Bangladesh, with authorities struggling to manage the heavy traffic flow along the major highway corridor.

Education Adviser Professor Dr. C R Abrar has emphasized that education is not merely a secondary sector but a vital foundation for nation-building. Speaking on Tuesday at the Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division during a dissemination meeting on the final report of the consultation committee, he said that quality education is essential for survival in a technology-driven and globally competitive world. He added that education should aim to develop individuals with human values, empathy, tolerance, moral strength, and an open outlook.

The meeting was chaired by Secretary Rehana Parveen and marked the submission of the committee’s final report on improving secondary education quality, management, and structure. Abrar expressed gratitude to the committee members for completing a complex, multidimensional task within three months, noting their dedication and professionalism. He highlighted that the initiative was entirely based on local expertise and resources, without reliance on international consultancy.

The committee’s policy framework will be treated as a “living document,” open to stakeholder feedback before final online publication. Abrar expressed hope that policymakers would use it to build a strong legal and institutional foundation for education reform in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework (BNQF) has received final approval from the advisory council, marking a major step toward aligning the country’s education and skills development system with international standards. Developed over eight years through research, stakeholder consultations, and policy discussions, the framework aims to standardize knowledge, skills, and learning outcomes so that Bangladeshi citizens can compete equally in domestic and global labor markets.

The BNQF integrates general, technical, madrasa, and higher education under a unified structure, facilitating credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, and international equivalence of qualifications. Since 2024, the National Skills Development Authority has begun issuing certificates under BNQF levels 1–5, while the Bangladesh Accreditation Council has adopted it as the foundation for higher education quality improvement. The framework draws on analyses of 41 national and regional models, including those from Europe, ASEAN, and several other countries, to create a system suited to Bangladesh’s context.

The BNQF is expected to enhance international recognition of Bangladeshi degrees, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen the country’s position in global education and skills competitiveness.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) has published the results of the 50th BCS Preliminary Test (MCQ type) on February 10, 2026. The examination was held on January 30, 2026, under the 2025 BCS cycle. According to the official announcement, a total of 12,385 candidates have been declared provisionally qualified in the preliminary stage.

The full results and related information are available on the commission’s official website (https://bpsc.gov.bd) and also on Teletalk Bangladesh Limited’s website (http://bpsc.teletalk.com.bd/). The BPSC has stated that it reserves the right to make corrections to the published results if any justified reason arises.

This publication marks the completion of the preliminary phase of the 50th BCS examination process, with successful candidates now eligible to participate in the next stages as per the commission’s schedule.

A massive traffic jam stretching about 32 kilometers has paralyzed the Dhaka–Tangail highway from Gazipur’s Chowrasta through Chandra to Hatuvanga in Tangail. The congestion was observed around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Chandra Trimor area, where long lines of buses, trucks, private cars, autorickshaws, and motorcycles were seen. Passengers faced severe delays, with some reporting hours-long standstills and overcrowding similar to holiday periods.

Local sources said the gridlock resulted from a surge of travelers heading home after many factories declared a three-day holiday ahead of the upcoming national election. Many workers were traveling to their hometowns to cast votes and visit families. Reports also emerged of some transport operators charging extra fares due to the increased demand and shortage of vehicles.

Highway police officer-in-charge Saugat Hossain stated that the traffic buildup was caused by simultaneous travel pressure linked to the election and factory holidays. He said highway and traffic police were working jointly to ease congestion, had warned transport operators against overcharging, and deployed additional forces to maintain order and prevent passenger harassment.

A severe traffic jam developed on Tuesday morning at the Chandra intersection of the Dhaka-Tangail Highway in Kaliakair, Gazipur. The congestion was triggered by a surge of homebound travelers taking advantage of a four-day holiday declared ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Long lines of buses, trucks, private cars, and motorcycles stretched across the area, resembling the heavy traffic typically seen during Eid holidays.

Local sources said the government declared the holiday to facilitate travel for voters and families returning to their hometowns. Some travelers were heading home to cast their votes, while others were visiting relatives. Passengers complained that several transport operators were charging inflated fares, with ticket prices rising from the usual 200 taka to as high as 500 taka.

Kona Bari Naojor Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Saugat Hossain stated that highway and traffic police were jointly working to ease the congestion. He added that extra police had been deployed to maintain normal traffic flow and that legal action would be taken against transport companies found overcharging passengers.

The government has issued the 'Dhaka Central University Ordinance, 2026', establishing a new university to oversee higher education and research management for seven public colleges in Dhaka. The ordinance was published in the official gazette by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on Sunday, February 8. Although the draft proposed dividing the colleges into four schools, the final version retains each college’s individual identity while linking them academically to Dhaka Central University.

The seven colleges included are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Mirpur Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College. These institutions were previously affiliated with the National University before being brought under Dhaka University in 2017. Students had long demanded a separate university, citing academic harassment under Dhaka University.

Students described the formation of Dhaka Central University as a significant advancement in higher education and the fulfillment of their longstanding demand.

The Bangladesh Navy and the United Kingdom have signed a Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement for the purchase of the hydrographic and oceanographic survey ship HMS Enterprise. The signing took place at the Bangladesh Navy Headquarters on Sunday, with Rear Admiral Md. Shafiqul Rahman representing Bangladesh and Ms. Nanise Qalobulawasaikabara from the UK Ministry of Defence representing the United Kingdom. The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M. Nazmul Hassan and senior officials from both countries attended the ceremony, according to an ISPR press release.

The ISPR stated that the agreement followed continuous and productive initiatives between the two nations since 2025, reflecting strong mutual trust and cooperation. It marks a significant step in Bangladesh’s defense modernization and will expand opportunities for military equipment exchange. HMS Enterprise, formerly part of the Royal Navy, is equipped with advanced hydrographic and oceanographic instruments including multibeam echo sounders and side-scan sonar.

The ship’s addition is expected to enhance Bangladesh’s hydrographic capacity, support marine research at national institutions, and strengthen maritime surveillance against illegal intrusion, smuggling, and piracy, while contributing to safe navigation and blue economy development.

All madrasas across Bangladesh will remain closed for one and a half months starting February 11, 2026. The closure begins with the government-declared general holidays on February 11 and 12 for the upcoming 13th national election. According to the holiday schedule published by the Directorate of Madrasa Education under the Ministry of Education on January 20, the total duration of the break will be 46 days.

The holiday period includes weekends on February 13 and 14, followed by the Ramadan vacation beginning on February 15. Additional holidays cover national and religious observances such as Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day on February 21, Shab-e-Qadr on March 17, Jumatul Bidah on March 20, Eid-ul-Fitr on March 21, and Independence and National Day on March 26. The following weekend on March 27–28 extends the break further.

Regular classes at madrasas are scheduled to resume on March 29. The second-longest break of 15 days is planned for Eid-ul-Azha and the summer vacation from May 24 to June 11.

The Ministry of Education has initiated the preliminary process to bring 1,719 private schools and colleges under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme in the first phase. According to a press release issued on Sunday, February 8, 2026, by the Secondary and Higher Education Division, the ministry has already sent a letter to the Finance Division seeking approval for the inclusion of these institutions, which were evaluated through an automated software system.

The ministry stated that the selection was made based on policy criteria, regional balance, and grading standards. Before finalizing the list, submitted information will be verified through the databases of the Land Ministry, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, relevant education boards, and the National University, with field inspections if necessary. The entire MPO process is being conducted transparently through automated software, leaving no scope for personal contact or financial transactions.

Applicants were invited under the “Private Educational Institutions (Schools and Colleges) Staffing Structure and MPO Policy 2025,” which received 3,615 applications across various educational levels.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that visa applications for the 2026 Hajj season have opened from Sunday, February 8, and will continue until March 20. The ministry’s Hajj Wing Deputy Secretary Mohammad Sofiuzzaman Bhuiyan said the schedule follows Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry’s guidelines for this year’s visa issuance. Applicants must apply through Saudi Arabia’s digital platform ‘Nusuk Masar’ within the specified period.

According to the ministry, the earlier completion of visa procedures aims to ensure better organization and safety for pilgrims. Last year, many faced difficulties obtaining the mandatory Nusuk card due to late visa processing. This year, Saudi authorities have set a strict timeline to avoid such issues and make the pilgrimage process more orderly.

All registered Bangladeshi pilgrims, including expatriates, must undergo medical examinations at any government hospital, receive vaccinations from designated centers, and obtain a fitness certificate before applying. The ministry confirmed that no pilgrim will be allowed to travel without this certificate. Hajj flights are scheduled to begin on April 18, with the pilgrimage expected on May 26, subject to moon sighting.

The Chittagong University administration has launched a 24-hour emergency helpline to ensure student safety and provide essential services. The service was inaugurated on Saturday by Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration). The initiative was introduced by the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CHAKSU) with the cooperation of the university authorities.

During the inauguration, Professor Kamal Uddin stated that the helpline would help guarantee student safety and deliver necessary services promptly. He added that the initiative would play an important role in improving service quality across the campus. Through this helpline, students can access emergency information and services at any time of the week, including medical assistance, the proctor’s office, security department, engineering office, ICT cell, and admission-related information.

He also expressed hope that students would use the service responsibly and that it would become a practical support system in their daily lives. Several university officials and CHAKSU representatives attended the inauguration ceremony.

All educational institutions across Bangladesh will remain closed for five consecutive days from February 11 to 15, 2026. According to the Ministry of Education’s published holiday list, classes will be suspended nationwide during this period. The closure includes holidays on February 11 and 12 for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, followed by the regular weekend on February 13 and 14, and finally February 15 for the observance of Shree Shree Shivratri Brata.

The ministry’s analysis shows that this will be the first major extended holiday of the year and the fifth listed holiday so far. In addition to the education sector, February 11 has been declared a public holiday for the election, while February 10 will be a general holiday for industrial workers. Election day, February 12, had already been announced as a public holiday.

This sequence of holidays marks a significant break for students and teachers early in the academic year, coinciding with national election activities and a religious observance.