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.

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of Bangladesh resumed on Saturday evening after being suspended for about six and a half hours due to an engine failure on the Sylhet–Chattogram-bound Paharika Express at Magurchhara in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar. The disruption began around 12:30 p.m. when the train’s engine broke down and ended at 6:30 p.m. after the disabled train was towed to Sreemangal station.

According to Kulaura station master Md. Ruman Ahmed, the breakdown caused severe schedule disruptions for four trains: the Dhaka-bound Parabat Express, Dhaka-bound Jayantika Express, Sylhet-bound Paharika Express, and Chattogram-bound Paharika Express. A replacement engine from the Jayantika Express was initially sent, but the coupling hook detached after being connected.

After the stranded Paharika Express was finally moved to Sreemangal station, normal rail operations between Sylhet and the rest of the country were restored, easing the travel disruption that had affected multiple routes for much of the day.

Dhaka University has announced the postponement of all internal examinations and class activities scheduled for February 10, 2026, due to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was confirmed in a notice signed by Acting Controller of Examinations Dr. Himadri Shekhar Chakravarti, issued on Saturday.

According to the notice, the postponement aims to ensure that students can attend their respective polling centers on election day. The new schedule for the postponed examinations will be announced later, based on proposals from the concerned departments or institutes. However, the notice clarified that examinations at affiliated and constituent colleges and institutes under Dhaka University will proceed as per the previously fixed timetable.

The announcement reflects the university’s effort to facilitate student participation in the national election process while maintaining academic continuity through later rescheduling.

Sheikh Bandar Balilah, Imam and Khatib of Masjid al-Haram, has been appointed as the official Mufti of the Makkah region. The appointment was announced on Tuesday with the approval of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Dr. Saleh Al-Fawzan. The decision is part of a broader initiative dividing the country into eight regions, each overseen by a senior scholar to ensure reliable sources for issuing fatwas.

Sheikh Al-Fawzan congratulated Sheikh Balilah, noting that his experience and knowledge would enrich religious research and benefit worshippers and pilgrims visiting the two holy mosques. Sheikh Balilah was born in Makkah in 1975 and holds degrees in Islamic law and jurisprudence from Umm al-Qura University and a PhD from the University of Madinah.

Before his new appointment, Sheikh Balilah served as Imam of Masjid al-Haram since 2013 and previously led prayers in several other mosques in Makkah.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has completed the housing arrangements for all Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, overcoming earlier concerns about delays. According to the Saudi roadmap, the housing process was required to be completed by February 1, 2026. Mohammad Shafiuzzaman Bhuiyan, Deputy Secretary of the Hajj Wing, confirmed on February 3 that the task was successfully finished within the deadline.

Earlier, progress in renting houses for private Hajj pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah had been slow, prompting repeated reminders from the ministry to lead agencies. As of January 27, half of the private pilgrims’ accommodations were still pending, raising doubts about their participation. The ministry had warned that agencies failing to meet the deadline would be held responsible, which could affect their future operations.

The Hajj is scheduled to take place on May 26, 2026, depending on moon sighting, with flights beginning on April 18. A total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will perform Hajj this year under both government and private management.

Four distinguished academics from the University of Dhaka have been promoted to the position of emeritus professor. The newly appointed emeritus professors are former vice-chancellors Professor Dr. Anwarullah Chowdhury and Professor Dr. A.F.M. Yusuf Haider, former dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Dr. Tajmeri S. Islam, and former dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Professor Dr. Chowdhury Mahmud Hasan. The university’s acting director of public relations, Rafiqul Islam, confirmed the appointments on Tuesday.

Before this announcement, nine academics had been designated as emeritus professors at Dhaka University. Professor Anwarullah Chowdhury, a noted anthropologist and author, served the university for about 42 years and held several national and international positions. Professor Yusuf Haider contributed significantly to the establishment of the Center for Advanced Research in Sciences and modern laboratories in the Physics Department. Professor Mahmud Hasan played a key role in national drug policy formulation and held leadership roles in various institutions. Professor Tajmeri S. Islam served as dean, provost, and chair of the Chemistry Department and was also convener of the pro-BNP teachers’ group Sada Dal.

The appointments expand the list of emeritus professors at Dhaka University, recognizing decades of academic and institutional leadership.

Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Gazipur, and Indonesia’s Politeknik Perkapalan Negeri Surabaya (PPNS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on February 1 at DUET’s conference room. The agreement aims to expand cooperation in education, research, and community service to advance human resource science and engineering technology. DUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Zainal Abedin and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Arefin Kawsar were present at the signing ceremony.

According to the university, the MoU marks a milestone in knowledge exchange and technological collaboration between the two institutions. It includes provisions for joint research, publications, international conferences, social responsibility initiatives, faculty and student exchange programs, and shared use of laboratories and workshops. The initiative is expected to strengthen academic and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Indonesia.

PPNS, under Indonesia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, is a state polytechnic based in Surabaya, specializing in shipbuilding, marine technology, and related engineering disciplines.

The Dhaka Education Board has once again extended the deadline for filling out forms for this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination. According to a notice signed by Exam Controller Professor S M Kamal Uddin Haydar on February 2, 2026, students can now complete their form submission with a late fee until February 5, Thursday.

The notice stated that the extended period for form fill-up with a late fee will run from February 2 to February 5, 2026. It also mentioned that students must submit their fees through the ‘Sonali Seba’ system by February 5. Heads of all institutions under the Dhaka Education Board have been instructed to ensure that their students complete the process within the new timeframe.

This marks another extension of the SSC form fill-up schedule for the current year, providing additional time for students and institutions to finalize their registration and payment procedures.

The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) announced that it has completed 103 initiatives within its first 100 days in office, focusing on student welfare despite facing a severe budget shortage. The announcement came during a press conference titled “RAKSU’s 100 Days: Activity Review and Accountability” held on February 1, where Vice President Mostakur Rahman Zahid said the union had been inactive for years due to lack of funding but managed to carry out extensive work without waiting for a budget.

Assistant General Secretary S M Salman Sabbir presented a detailed report of the activities, emphasizing RAKSU’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The initiatives included proposals to improve academic flexibility during mourning periods, enhance campus safety by restricting high-speed vehicles in residential areas, and strengthen digital education through coordination with the ICT Center. RAKSU also demanded increased bus trips and announced a roadmap for a “Tech Help Desk.”

In the health sector, the union submitted memorandums to address staff shortages at the medical center, called for ambulance allocation, and advocated for improved healthcare for female and special-needs students, as well as measures against cyberbullying and online harassment.

Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman and former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. S. M. A. Faiz emphasized the ethical application of knowledge and wisdom during the 6th convocation of the International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) held at its Kumira permanent campus on Saturday. Serving as the convocation chair and the President’s representative, he described convocation as a national academic tradition symbolizing both pride and responsibility for graduates and their families.

Professor Faiz noted Bangladesh’s significant progress in higher education over the past decade, crediting universities for empowering youth to contribute to national development. He reaffirmed IIUC’s commitment to producing competent, honest, and morally conscious citizens, stressing that quality education is essential for sustainable progress and social inclusion.

Convocation speaker Professor Dr. Saleh Hasan Naqib of Rajshahi University highlighted the need for moral leadership in a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence, robotics, and data mining. He urged graduates to integrate ethical values with professional skills and use knowledge for global welfare rather than personal gain.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that the visa application process for 2026 Hajj pilgrims will begin on February 8 and continue until March 20. The ministry issued a circular on January 29 confirming the schedule and outlining the necessary steps for applicants.

According to the circular, all pilgrims registered under both government and private arrangements must complete health examinations at government hospitals, as the process is already underway. In line with Saudi government directives, pilgrims must complete health checks, receive required vaccinations, and obtain a fitness certificate before applying for a visa through the Saudi Nusuk platform between February 8 and March 20.

The ministry emphasized that no pilgrim will be allowed to perform Hajj without a valid fitness certificate. Registered expatriate Bangladeshis are also required to follow the same procedure and complete their visa applications within the specified timeframe.

The undergraduate admission tests for the 2025–26 academic year at Comilla University began on Friday. To assist applicants and their guardians, the university branches of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir and Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal have established information and service centers on campus. The Shibir centers, located at Shaheed Osman Hadi Guardian Pavilion and Shaheed Abdul Kaiyum Square, provide rest areas, guidance, drinking water, and a free bike service to transport candidates to exam venues. The group also launched a free bus service named ‘Ar Rihlah’ from Padua Bazar and the railway station, and arranged accommodation and meals for thousands of students.

Chhatra Dal has also introduced several initiatives, including purified water supply, seating arrangements, chocolate distribution for children, a medical camp for first aid, and a free bike service named ‘Sobar Age Bangladesh’ for emergency transport. Both organizations stated that their goal is to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for examinees and their families during the admission process.

The ‘A’ unit exam for the Faculty of Science and Engineering was completed peacefully on Friday, while the ‘B’ and ‘C’ unit exams are scheduled for Saturday.

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition seeking to postpone the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) preliminary examination during the period of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The order was issued on Thursday, January 29, 2026, removing all legal barriers to holding the exam as scheduled on Friday, January 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. across eight regional centers including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh.

According to the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC), the 50th BCS circular was published on November 26, 2025, with applications accepted from December 4 to December 31. A total of 290,951 applications were submitted, significantly fewer than in previous years. The examination will recruit 2,150 candidates for both cadre and non-cadre positions, including 650 in the health cadre, 200 in administration, and 117 in police.

The PSC has also revised the preliminary exam structure, reducing marks in Bangla, English, and Bangladesh affairs while increasing marks in international affairs, mathematical reasoning, and ethics. The commission plans to complete the written and viva stages promptly after the preliminary test.

A writ petition was filed in the High Court on Wednesday seeking postponement of the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) preliminary examination. Four candidates submitted the petition to the relevant branch of the court. However, according to information from the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday, the exam will not be delayed and will take place as scheduled. The PSC’s legal officer will respond to the court regarding the writ, and preparations for the exam are continuing.

The 50th BCS has received 290,951 applications, a notable decrease compared to previous years. A total of 2,150 candidates will be recruited for both cadre and non-cadre positions, including 650 in the health cadre, 200 in administration, and 117 in the police. The preliminary exam format has been adjusted, reducing marks in Bangla, English, and Bangladesh affairs by five each, while increasing marks in international affairs, mathematical reasoning, and ethics by five each.

According to the PSC’s roadmap, written and oral tests will be completed as soon as possible after the preliminary exam.

The article recounts the life and struggle of Shahid Titumir, born Syed Nisar Ali Mir in 1781 in Chandpur village of Barasat, Bengal. A disciple of Syed Ahmad Shahid, Titumir led a major anti-British and anti-zamindar movement in the early nineteenth century. After returning from Hajj in 1827, he began social and religious reform in Haidarapur, attracting hundreds of followers who adopted distinct Islamic practices. His movement gained momentum among Muslim peasants, alarming local Hindu landlords who imposed discriminatory taxes such as the 'beard tax'. When peaceful appeals failed, Titumir organized armed resistance, establishing a bamboo fort at Narkelberia in 1831.

Titumir’s forces achieved early victories against British troops and local landlords, briefly controlling several villages in Barasat and Nadia. However, on 19 November 1831, a large British force defeated his followers in a decisive battle at Narkelberia. Titumir and many of his companions were killed, and their properties confiscated. Contemporary records suggest the movement began as a local reform effort but evolved into a broader rebellion against colonial and feudal oppression.

Historians later viewed Titumir’s uprising as a foundational episode in Bengal’s anti-colonial resistance, blending religious reform with socio-political mobilization.