The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) is in the final stages of preparing the results for the 46th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination. According to PSC Chairman Professor Mobasher Monem, the commission aims to publish the final recommendations by the last week of January 2026, provided all processes proceed smoothly. The final list will include candidates who passed the oral examination, marking the conclusion of a three-phase selection process.

The 46th BCS began with 337,986 applicants, of whom 254,561 appeared in the preliminary test held across divisional cities. Following re-evaluation, 21,397 candidates qualified for the written examination. The written results, published on November 27, 2025, led to 4,050 candidates being selected for the oral test after technical corrections. The PSC chairman emphasized efforts to reduce delays in the recruitment process and noted that the written results were delivered in record time.

If the schedule holds, several thousand qualified candidates are expected to begin their government service careers soon after the final results are announced.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has reported that the printing and distribution of free textbooks for the current academic year are nearly complete across all levels. According to the latest data, overall progress for secondary (grades 6–9) and madrasa ibtedayi levels has reached 98.76 percent, with an average nationwide delivery rate exceeding 95.47 percent. The ibtedayi level has achieved 100 percent printing and delivery, while secondary-level printing stands at 99 percent as of January 18. NCTB expects all remaining printing and binding work to finish within the next few days, aiming for full completion by January 22.

The NCTB’s latest report on the 2026 academic year shows that 311.09 million ibtedayi textbooks have been printed and bound through 35 presses, meeting the full target. At the secondary level, 102 presses have completed 98.62 percent of printing, with 173.49 million books already delivered out of a target of 183.20 million. NCTB officials said that if electricity and transport systems remain stable, the remaining books will be printed and distributed on schedule.

Officials added that some delays occurred due to re-tendering processes, but efforts are being intensified to ensure students receive their textbooks as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Education has finalized the ordinance for establishing Dhaka Central University and sent the draft to the Cabinet Division for approval. Officials confirmed that the ordinance is expected to be placed before the advisory council meeting on Thursday for final approval. The ministry’s public relations officer, Khalid Mahmud, stated that all procedural steps have been completed, including consultations with relevant ministries, public feedback collection, and expert opinions.

The ministry emphasized that the ordinance reflects stakeholders’ expectations and aims to ensure quality education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It urged all parties to avoid activities that could cause public suffering or disrupt normal life, warning that instability could undermine the progress achieved. The ministry also assured that the new university will open a new chapter in Bangladesh’s higher education.

The initiative to form Dhaka Central University, comprising seven government colleges in Dhaka, followed student movements last year. After revisions and consultations, the final draft was submitted on January 13. Students have agreed to wait until Thursday for the advisory council’s decision.

At a press conference held on Saturday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the principal of Mirpur Girls Ideal Laboratory Institute, Jinat Farhana, alleged that dismissed assistant music teacher Bipasha Yasmin engaged in misconduct, disorderly behavior, and misuse of political and bureaucratic influence. The institution claimed that despite her dismissal in May of the previous year, Yasmin continued spreading propaganda, bullying, and conspiracy against the school and its leadership.

According to the written statement presented at the event, Yasmin was allegedly appointed in 2015 in violation of official procedures, using political connections. The school authorities accused her of repeated disobedience, false sexual harassment allegations, and threats against colleagues. They further claimed she used artificial intelligence to create and distribute distorted and defamatory online content targeting teachers and administrators, harming their reputations.

The principal appealed for government intervention to protect the institution from ongoing defamation and disruption. The school stated that multiple investigations had found Yasmin’s complaints baseless, and her actions continued to damage the school’s discipline and educational environment.

Freedom fighter and retired head teacher Tofazzal Hossain passed away at his home in Dolong, Chatmohar, Pabna, on Friday morning. He was 76 years old. He is survived by his wife, one son, two daughters, grandchildren, and many admirers. His son, schoolteacher Forhad Nasim Lavlu, said his father had been under treatment for various age-related illnesses.

According to Assistant Freedom Fighter Commander Ignasius Gomez (Inu Master), the first funeral prayer with state honors was held after Juma prayers at Dolong Madrasa field in the municipal area. The second funeral prayer took place after Maghrib at his village home in Charnabin, Chaikola Union, followed by burial at the local cemetery.

The report highlights the community’s respect for the late freedom fighter, who served as a teacher and contributed to education and the liberation movement in the region.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has not been able to deliver all secondary-level textbooks to students by its earlier deadline of January 15, 2026. Officials said that dense fog and severe cold slowed down printing, preventing completion on time. As of Thursday, about five percent of books were still pending, but NCTB expects 98 percent of students to receive their books by Sunday, when classes begin, and 99 percent by next Tuesday.

NCTB’s textbook member Professor Dr. Riad Chowdhury explained that the board relies on 105 printing presses and does not print books itself. The initial January 15 target was based on information from those presses, but adverse weather reduced printing speed. Education adviser C.R. Abrar had earlier announced that all books would reach students by mid-January, but nearly ten million books remain undelivered.

Officials noted that in the past fifteen years, full textbook delivery at the start of the year has never been achieved. They said that if all books reach schools by January 20, it would mark a new milestone for NCTB.

A joint commitment to establish a stable, inclusive, innovative, and globally accepted higher education system in South Asia was expressed through the adoption of the 'Dhaka Declaration' on higher education. The declaration identifies sustained political commitment, strong institutional leadership, effective regional cooperation, and collective participation of all stakeholders as essential elements for meaningful and sustainable transformation of higher education.

The declaration was adopted on Thursday, the closing day of a four-day conference titled 'Current Status and Future Directions of South Asian Regional Higher Education' held in Dhaka. It was read out by Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, and was unanimously accepted by the participants without objection.

The event was attended by UGC Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz, several UGC members, and representatives from higher education bodies of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Nepal, along with officials from the World Bank and the Higher Education Transformation project.

Students from seven government colleges in Dhaka blocked the Science Lab intersection for a second consecutive day on Thursday, January 15, 2026, demanding the issuance of the proposed Dhaka Central University ordinance. The blockade began around 12:30 p.m., with students chanting slogans calling for immediate government action. Participants said they had been waiting about one and a half years for the ordinance, which they claim is essential to formally establish their institutional identity.

Students expressed frustration that despite repeated government assurances, the ordinance had not yet been issued. They stated that they would withdraw from the streets only after the ordinance was officially announced. The protesters emphasized that they did not wish to cause public suffering but felt compelled to continue their movement until their demand was met.

The previous day, January 14, students had also blocked the Science Lab, Tati Bazar, and Technical intersections, causing severe traffic congestion across the area. The seven colleges involved include Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Government Bangla College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Titumir College, and Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College.

Students of Khulna University staged a protest on Tuesday night, January 13, 2026, demanding the cancellation of the student representative system and reduction of increased registration fees. The demonstration began at Hadi Chattar and marched through several dormitories before gathering in front of the vice chancellor’s residence. Students held a brief rally, voicing demands to lower registration fees, extend course registration deadlines, and abolish the student representative system.

During the protest, students alleged that the registration fee had been raised without prior discussion and described the increase as unreasonable. They also expressed concern that the introduction of a student representative system could bring politics into the campus, which they said had always been non-political. Protesters warned of tougher actions if their demands were not met within one working day.

Assistant Director of Student Affairs Ehsan Majid Mostafa met the students and said their demands would be conveyed to the administration. However, Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim stated that no registration fee increase had occurred and that misinformation was spreading on social media.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus attended the three-day South Asian Regional Conference titled “Current Status and Future Directions of Higher Education–2026,” held at Hotel Le Méridien in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. The event began at 10 a.m. and brought together representatives from several countries and international organizations.

According to a press release from the University Grants Commission (UGC), a total of 30 international delegates from the United Kingdom, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the World Bank are participating in the conference. The UGC stated that the event is being organized under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project.

The HEAT project is being implemented by the UGC with financial support from the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, aiming to strengthen higher education collaboration and development across South Asia.

The Directorate of Primary Education has stated that it found no evidence of question paper leaks in the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment examination. The information was shared with the media by A.K. Mohammad Shamsul Ahsan, Director of the Policy and Operation Division of the directorate. He said that despite allegations of question leaks, irregularities, and negligence by authorities, no credible proof was discovered. The directorate is now working to publish the exam results promptly.

According to the directorate, rumors about question leaks are being spread, and the public has been urged to remain cautious. Meanwhile, a group of job seekers staged protests demanding the cancellation of the exam, citing allegations of question leaks and digital fraud. In response, the directorate decided to investigate the claims.

The protesters demanded that the exam be retaken, all recruitment tests be held in Dhaka, and that device checkers and network jammers be installed at every center. They also called for an independent committee to oversee all exams and strict punishment for anyone proven involved in leaks.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has announced that the previously postponed recruitment examination for the positions of Assistant Secretary and Assistant Director will now be held on January 16. The multiple-choice (MCQ) test is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

According to UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, the revised seating arrangement for the candidates was published on January 8 on the commission’s official website. The announcement confirms the new date and venue for the examination, which had been delayed earlier for unspecified reasons.

The UGC’s update ensures that candidates can now prepare for the rescheduled test with clear information on timing and location, as officially communicated by the commission.

Students at the University of Chittagong have renewed protests against Hasan Mohammad Roman, an assistant professor in the law department, accusing him of harassment, political bias, and abuse of authority. The allegations include labeling students as extremists, supporting the July massacre, and using his position as assistant proctor in 2022 to file a terrorism case against a student, Zubair Hossain Sohag, who was later jailed for three months. Roman has denied the accusations, and attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.

Following the complaints, the university formed a three-member investigation committee led by Professor Mohammad Taslim Uddin, which resulted in Roman’s salary being temporarily suspended after a syndicate meeting on September 26. A second committee, headed by Professor Akhtar Hossain, is currently collecting evidence and has yet to submit its report. University officials, including the acting registrar and the vice-chancellor (administration), confirmed that a final decision will be made after the second report is received.

The administration has described the matter as sensitive and stated that the final outcome will depend on the pending investigation report.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued new instructions regarding the management of Hajj flights for 2026, scheduled to begin on April 18. The ministry sent letters on January 11 to Hajj agency owners and three airlines responsible for transporting pilgrims, directing them to strictly follow Saudi government regulations and the ‘Hajj Package and Guideline 2026’.

According to the directive, all pilgrims under the same service company must travel to Saudi Arabia on the same flight. Each Hajj agency must send at least 20 percent of its total pilgrims during the mid-phase of pre-Hajj flights, while 30 to 50 percent must travel during the first and last phases. The ministry also clarified that no agency may issue less than 30 percent or more than 50 percent of tickets in either the first or last phase.

The ministry urged all concerned parties to take necessary measures for flight management and ticket issuance in line with the prescribed guidelines.

Job seekers protesting in Mirpur, Dhaka, have demanded the cancellation and retake of the assistant teacher recruitment exam following allegations of question leaks. In response, the Directorate of Primary Education has decided to investigate the claims, according to its Director General Abu Noor Md. Shamsuzzaman, who spoke to the media on Sunday.

Shamsuzzaman stated that intelligence agencies including DGFI, NSI, DB, SB, and district administrations had recovered some questions before the exam, but none matched the official set. He acknowledged attempts to leak questions but clarified that digital devices were used for cheating rather than leaking. A total of 207 candidates were expelled, and several legal actions were taken against offenders.

He added that if the investigation confirms the allegations, the exam will be canceled, as had happened twice before. The protesters’ five-point demands include holding all exams in Dhaka with device checkers and network jammers, forming an independent exam committee, and ensuring strict punishment for those involved in any proven leaks.