Comilla University (CoU) will begin its 2025–26 undergraduate admission process on Friday with the ‘A’ unit examination under the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The test will be held simultaneously at Comilla University and Rajshahi University centers from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. A total of 46,336 candidates have applied for 300 seats, meaning more than 154 applicants will compete for each seat. Of them, 29,821 will sit for the exam at the Comilla center and 16,515 at the Rajshahi center.

The one-hour multiple-choice test carries 100 marks, with a 0.25 mark deduction for each wrong answer and a minimum pass mark of 33. The university administration issued detailed instructions on January 28 to ensure a fair and peaceful examination. Candidates are prohibited from bringing any electronic devices, papers, or bags into the exam hall and must follow strict identification and procedural rules.

Additional police, intelligence agencies, RAB, BNCC, and Rover Scouts will be deployed for security. Only candidates will be allowed inside the Comilla center, while guardians must remain outside. The ‘B’ and ‘C’ unit exams will take place on January 31 under the same guidelines.

The Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) presented a detailed report on its first four months in office during an event held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in front of the JAKSU building. The session also marked the launch of JAKSU’s official website and outlined a range of initiatives aimed at improving student welfare. The union reported progress in housing, transport, healthcare, security, environment, and cultural development, with several projects still ongoing.

Key measures included adding carts and eco-friendly autorickshaws to campus transport, enhancing law enforcement presence at key gates, and forming an anti-ragging cell. The medical center received new equipment, 85 types of medicines, and seven part-time doctors, alongside a move toward digital medical management. Food safety, waste management, and animal vaccination programs were implemented, while cultural and sports events such as tournaments, festivals, and exhibitions were organized.

JAKSU also expressed solidarity with national movements, including protests against gender violence and support for teachers’ and regional water rights campaigns. Infrastructure improvements included new gas connections in six halls, a cycle stand, and road safety upgrades near the campus.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has published the results of the seventh special recruitment recommendation for teachers in MPO-listed private educational institutions. The results were officially released on Wednesday at the Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division conference room. Through this special recruitment process, a total of 11,713 candidates have been recommended for appointment to vacant teaching positions.

According to the NTRCA press release, the recommendations were made based on the merit order, preferences, and institutional requirements of registered applicants who applied under the seventh special recruitment circular published on January 4. The results are available on the NTRCA website under the “Seventh Recruitment Recommendation (Special)-2026” service box and at http://ngi.teletalk.com.bd.

Selected candidates can view their results by logging in with their user ID and password, while institution heads can access information about selected teachers for their respective institutions using their own login credentials.

V Kamakoti, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras since 2022, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to education and research in India. Following the announcement, Kerala Congress made sarcastic remarks on social media platform X about Kamakoti’s past research related to cow dung and cow urine, sparking widespread debate and verbal exchanges online.

In response to the criticism, Zoho Corporation founder Sridhar Vembu publicly defended Kamakoti, leading to an open exchange between the two sides on X. Kamakoti later issued a statement describing the Padma Shri as an inspiration toward the national goal of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” emphasizing that the honor represents collective effort rather than individual achievement.

The controversy highlights differing perspectives on traditional and cultural aspects of research in India, while Kamakoti expressed motivation to continue contributing to the country’s development and innovation.

Rajshahi University has published the admission test results for the 2025–26 academic year’s B unit of its undergraduate (honours) first-year program. The results were released at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, according to Professor Dr. Md. Saiful Islam, Director of the university’s ICT Center. Students can check their results on the university’s official website.

This year, a total of 30,886 candidates applied for the B unit admission test, with 25,961 appearing for the exam. Among them, 9,356 out of 16,368 candidates from the commerce group passed, representing a 57.16 percent pass rate. In the non-commerce group, 5,900 out of 9,593 candidates passed, marking a 61.50 percent success rate. The B unit has 564 available seats, including 375 for commerce, 158 for science, and 31 for humanities.

The publication of results marks the completion of a key stage in Rajshahi University’s undergraduate admission process for the 2025–26 session.

The Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) organized a two-day special training workshop on election reporting for members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) and campus-based reporters. The sessions were held on January 26 and 27, 2026, and concluded with a ceremony attended by PIB Director General Faruq Wasif as chief guest and Deputy Editor of Amar Desh Sultan Mahmud as special guest.

In his address, Faruq Wasif emphasized that elections are not merely a process of power transfer but a critical stage in shaping the nation’s future. He highlighted the historical consequences of rejecting election results and urged journalists to report responsibly and truthfully, especially in times of misinformation and political manipulation. He also called on campus journalists to question candidates about reforms, justice, and governance, and to disclose their financial and political positions to help voters make informed decisions.

DUJA President Mohiuddin Muhajir Mahi and General Secretary Mahadi Hasan said the training strengthened professional and ethical standards and provided practical knowledge on legal frameworks, risk management, and ethics in election reporting.

The Ministry of Education has released the 'Private Educational Institutions (School, College) MPO-Listed Teacher Transfer Policy 2026' to reduce the suffering of teachers and allow them to work closer to home. The revised policy, signed by Rehana Parvin, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, was issued on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The ministry stated that the entire transfer process will now be conducted through automated software, eliminating the need for teachers to seek influence for transfers. The policy takes effect immediately upon issuance.

According to the new guidelines, teachers can initially apply for transfers within their home district. If no vacancy exists there, they may apply to any district within their division. A significant change under clause 3.8(g) allows teachers to transfer to the district of their spouse, a move described as a major relief for separated families. Teachers must complete at least two years in their current post before applying for a transfer, and another two years after joining a new post before reapplying.

Vacancy lists will be published online by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, and applications will only be accepted against those listed positions.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) has announced plans to appoint 14,385 assistant teachers in government primary schools before the upcoming 13th national election. Written exams were held on January 9, 2026, after a short delay, and results were released on January 21, with 69,265 candidates passing. Oral exams in Chapainawabganj, Manikganj, and Barishal districts are scheduled from January 28 to February 3, with further schedules to follow for other districts.

According to DPE data, 34,106 head teacher posts and 24,536 assistant teacher posts remain vacant across the country. Many schools, particularly in remote areas, are operating with only one to three teachers, severely affecting administrative and academic activities. DPE Director General Abu Noor Md. Shamsuzzaman stated that the recruitment process is routine and unrelated to the election, emphasizing the need to accelerate hiring to address the shortage.

Interim government adviser Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar said the government is prioritizing the teacher shortage issue and expects the problem to be resolved soon.

Train movement on the Dhaka–Sylhet and Dhaka–Chattogram routes resumed around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday after a derailed coach of the Dhaka Mail train was recovered at Bhairab Bazar Railway Junction in Kishoreganj. The derailment occurred at about 3:30 a.m. near the station’s outer signal area when the Chattogram-bound Dhaka Mail was crossing from line 1 to line 2, causing two wheels of one coach to go off the track and blocking the line completely.

Railway authorities dispatched a relief train from Akhaura at 7:00 a.m., which began recovery operations at the site. After roughly three and a half hours of work, the derailed coach was removed, allowing train services to restart. The incident had halted all train traffic on the route for several hours.

During the disruption, multiple trains including the Cox’s Bazar Express, Egarsindur Express, Parabat Express, Chattogram Mail, and Turna Nishitha Express were stranded at Bhairab and nearby stations, leaving thousands of passengers delayed and inconvenienced.

A coach of the Dhaka-bound ‘Dhaka Mail-2’ train derailed shortly after leaving Bhairab Bazar Junction around 3 a.m. on Monday, January 26. The incident caused a complete suspension of train operations on the Dhaka-Sylhet-Chattogram route, affecting both up and down lines.

As a result of the derailment, several trains became stranded at various stations along the route, leaving passengers facing severe travel disruptions and discomfort. The report did not mention any injuries or the cause of the derailment.

Authorities have not yet provided details on when train services will resume, leaving uncertainty about the duration of the suspension and the restoration process.

Saudi Arabia has informed Bangladesh that pilgrims whose accommodation is not arranged by their agencies within the set deadline will not be allowed to perform Hajj. The directive was conveyed through a letter sent to 30 lead agencies, prompting Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs to instruct them to finalize all housing arrangements in Makkah and Madinah by January 28.

According to the ministry, Bangladeshi pilgrims will travel through both government and private channels, with 73,935 private pilgrims managed by the 30 lead agencies. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has repeatedly urged completion of housing contracts, expressing dissatisfaction with the slow progress.

During a virtual meeting on January 23, the Saudi ministry’s director general described the current pace of accommodation arrangements for Bangladeshi pilgrims as disappointing and reiterated that any pilgrim without confirmed housing by the deadline will be barred from performing Hajj.

The Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) presented a four-month performance report on Monday at a press conference held in front of Madhur Canteen. General Secretary S M Farhad detailed that DUCSU, which assumed office on September 14, completed 225 initiatives across 33 sectors for student welfare. Two commemorative books titled “Activities of DUCSU in the First Four Months” and “Representative Conference 2025” were also launched at the event.

Vice President Sadiq Kayem stated that despite budget constraints and administrative non-cooperation, DUCSU continued its work through collaboration with alumni, donors, and resource persons. Key achievements include proposing the inclusion of DUCSU elections in the academic calendar, canceling an unauthorized resolution on lifetime membership, mosque renovations, medical center upgrades, and discussions with the Chinese ambassador on a new dormitory project. DUCSU also introduced electric shuttles, expanded transport services, and organized health, cultural, and educational programs.

The report emphasized transparency and accountability, with detailed information on all initiatives published on DUCSU’s website and in printed booklets.

Students of Jagannath University’s 20th batch (academic year 2024–25) staged a 26-hour sit-in at the administrative building demanding inclusion in the first installment of a special scholarship. During the protest, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim and Treasurer Professor Dr. Sabina Sharmin were confined inside the building. They were released after 26 hours when the students ended their blockade on Monday, January 26, following assurances from the Teachers’ Association President, Professor Dr. Rois Uddin.

The protesting students said they were assured that the issue of including the 20th batch in the first installment of the special scholarship would be discussed at the university syndicate meeting scheduled for Tuesday. The demonstration began on Sunday morning, January 25, when students locked the main gate of the administrative building after a protest march demanding housing allowances.

The university’s proctorial body decided to suspend all activities during the blockade, terming the confinement unjustified and expressing regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to students.

Students of the 20th batch (academic year 2024–25) at Jagannath University have locked the administrative building and confined Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Rezaul Karim and Treasurer Professor Dr. Sabina Sharmin for 12 hours. The protest began at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026, demanding inclusion in the first installment of a special stipend. Students submitted a memorandum to the VC before locking the main gate at noon, chanting slogans and vowing to continue their sit-in until their demands are met.

Protesters alleged that the administration failed to provide any written assurance and that some officials left the building through a back gate. Student leaders, including JnUSU AGS Masud Rana, expressed solidarity and called for a peaceful resolution through discussion. A representative team was reportedly negotiating with the treasurer, but students insisted they would not leave without a written decision.

The students issued an ultimatum demanding correction of the housing stipend list and payment of the first installment within January 2026. They also announced a boycott of all classes and exams until their demands are fulfilled.

The non-governmental organization Bangladesh Law and Rights Aid has filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking an order to stop the collection of any fees in the name of re-admission for students promoted to the next grade within the same educational institution. The petition, submitted on January 25, 2026, alleges that the practice of charging such fees constitutes a long-standing and silent form of exploitation in the country’s education system.

According to the organization’s executive director, Ali Asgar Imon, many schools are charging large sums by labeling regular promotions as new admissions, turning education into a commercial product and placing parents under financial strain. He cited a November directive from the Ministry of Education that explicitly prohibits re-admission fees, allowing only an annual session charge. However, the directive is reportedly being ignored by thousands of institutions nationwide.

The petition requests the court to declare re-admission fees illegal, order their immediate cessation, refund fees already collected for the 2026 academic year, and ensure full enforcement of the ministry’s directive signed by Education Secretary Rehana Parvin.